Internet Connection Sharing woes

[Sushifiend3000]

It is so frustrating how you'll get something to work, you change NOTHING, and suddenly it stops working.

At first I tried it over an ad hoc wifi connection between the two computers. Worked great for like two days. Then that started to fail: the guest laptop's Local Area Connection would show Connected to the host laptop's ad hoc network, but not to the shared dialup connection.

Then we tried it with CAT5 between them (not a proper crossover cable but it worked). Bingo--back online. Then after a day, nothing. Why is it so inconsistent, and is there anything I can do to just make it work, preferably over wifi?

The host PC is running XP Pro and has a wireless data card. This dialup connection is shared via the ICS option in the Advanced tab of its Properties dialog. The guest PC is also running XP Pro.

The data card assigns a static IP and subnet to the host PC's "Home networking connection" designated in the aforementioned Properties dialog. On the guest PC, I've tried it a few different ways: let it obtain an IP address automatically; manually assigned an IP in the same subnet as host, but no gateway or DNS; same, plus host PC's IP as gateway; same, plus host's IP as gateway and DNS. ALL have worked at one point or another; now nothing does.

 

[JackMDS]

DialUp, or Broadband, what actually do you have?

If it is Broadband may be this can Help, http://www.ezlan.net/PPPOE.html

Should look like this, http://www.ezlan.net/network/router.jpg

:sun:

 

[jersiq]

What you are attempting to do is against your (cell phone) wireless providers Terms of Service.
In fact, by doing what you have done, you have already created problems on the network. I would strongly advise against trying to establish this connection. If you have to, purchase a separate wireless card for the other laptop. EVDO is NOT meant to be a replacement for a Home Broadband connection.

Before I sound like I am on some troll-trip let me explain. I work for a wireless company (I'll let you guess which one), and other people have had their EVDO cancelled for much less than what you are trying. I would hate to lose a customer because he/she was trying something that was unapproved by the company.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: jersiq
What you are attempting to do is against your (cell phone) wireless providers Terms of Service.
In fact, by doing what you have done, you have already created problems on the network. I would strongly advise against trying to establish this connection. If you have to, purchase a separate wireless card for the other laptop. EVDO is NOT meant to be a replacement for a Home Broadband connection.

Verizon BroadbandAccess... is the thingie like a cell phone?

:sun:

 

[Sushifiend3000]

It's a PCMCIA card that gives my laptop access to Verizon's EV-DO network. I get 1Mb down/100Kb up from my 4Runner/job site/toilet. It is very cool.

Originally posted by: jersiq
What you are attempting to do is against your (cell phone) wireless providers Terms of Service.

There is no cell phone involved. Below is the most relevant part of the Acceptable Use Policy I could find:

l. Network disruptions and unfriendly activity: Using the Services for any activity that adversely affects the ability of other people or systems to use either Verizon Wireless Services or other parties' Internet-based resources. This specifically but without limitation includes excessive consumption of network or system resources whether intentional or unintentional. This also includes "denial of service" (DoS) attacks against another network host or individual user. Interference with or disruption of other network users, network services or network equipment is prohibited.

What would you say constitutes "excessive consumption"? And what do you mean by "problems on the network"? The other laptop, he only needs to check email, but I'm on all the time so this is my solution to keep us both productive, and if they cancel my service based on any of this, we're gonna have words, me and VZW.