How to share internet connection in Windows 7

[Cyber Akuma]

I have a laptop running Windows 7, with a WiFi and Ethernet connection, it is connected to my router by WiFi.

I also have a desktop running Windows XP that only has an Ethernet port.

I tried Googling several guides but could not figure out how to make this work.

How can I share my internet connection so I can connect the XP desktop by ethernet to the Windows 7 laptop and use it's WiFi connection to provide internet access to the XP desktop?

What do I have to do on both computers?

[Train]

Get a wireless card for the desktop then.

[Cyber Akuma]

.... that is no way helps or answers my question.

Its not my desktop, and I know that internet sharing like this is possible, and in fact a built-in feature of Windows, I just don't know how to do it.

[SpywareDr]

(Why go through all the hassle?) Routers (wired and/or wireless) start at less than $25 bucks:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...nd&Order=PRICE

[Steve R Jones]

Look in Windows Help file for ICS - Internet Connection Sharing.

[Cyber Akuma]

(Why go through all the hassle?) Routers (wired and/or wireless) start at less than $25 bucks:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...nd&Order=PRICE

I have a router, the desktop is not only too far away but I have no room to place the desktop in the same room as the router.

This is a system that I am only going to have for a few days until I can finish some software matinence on it, no reason to buy a second router just for that purpose.

[Cyber Akuma]

Well, I got a LITTLE farther.

I remember reading that modern systems no longer need crossover cables because their NICs can auto-crossover.

I guess this isnt always the case...

I dug out an old crossover cable I had and the systems were able to see each other once I plugged them in.

However, they still are not fully connecting.

My laptop claims that its an unidentified network and the desktop claims that there is "limited or no connection"

The desotop is not getting an IP address.

[SuperSparks]

The desktop should be getting it's IP address from the router, if it isn't you may need to go into the router setup and enable DHCP on it. Or did you unplug the desktop from the router? I have to confess that I'm struggling to understand what it is you're trying to do here

As for the "unidentified network" you'll need to set the network name to the same on both computers.

[Midknyte]

It would really be better if you connected the desktop directly to the router. Otherwise, you have to turn the laptop on anytime you want the desktop to have internet access.

http://www.tomstricks.com/how-to-ena...windows-vista/

you want to use the laptop as your ICS host? Unless MS has changed something in W7, ICS by default will use 192.168.0.1.

You shouldn't have to touch the desktop settings. It will remain on DHCP.

[Adam.4994]

** Edited by Site Staff. DO NOT POST things like that again. **

In Windows Seven, open Network Connections, and right-click your WiFi connection, Properties, then the Sharing tab. From a 12 year old kid.

[Midknyte]

Ok, you just created 2 DHCP servers in your environment. Bad idea.

[planckscale]

I have a laptop running Windows 7, with a WiFi and Ethernet connection, it is connected to my router by WiFi.

I also have a desktop running Windows XP that only has an Ethernet port.

I tried Googling several guides but could not figure out how to make this work.

How can I share my internet connection so I can connect the XP desktop by ethernet to the Windows 7 laptop and use it's WiFi connection to provide internet access to the XP desktop?

What do I have to do on both computers?

For me, the solution was a crossover cable. I have a laptop with Windows 7. I have a connection to a wifi AP. I have a desktop that needs to connect to the wifi but doesn't have a wifi card.
1. I first connect to the wifi.
2. Then in control panel -> network connections, I right-click on my WiFi adapter (not the virtual wifi port) and then Properties, and then click on the sharing tab. I put a checkmark in "Allow other network users to connect through this computer's internet connection". Under Home Networking Connection drop-down, I chose "Local Area Connection" which is my laptop's LAN NIC.
3. I unchecked Allow other computers to control...
4. OK
5. Make sure the LAN NIC you will use for connecting to the other computer has any static IP configurations removed and set to DHCP.
6. Make sure the LAN NIC on the desktop you will connect to is set to DHCP also.
7. Connect a crossover cable from the laptop to the Desktop.
8. If it's windows vista or 7, then it should connect and present you with the "Home network, Public Network, Work Network." Choose appropriately.
You should now be connected! If the desktop doesn't automatically connect, you may want to "Diagnose" or "Repair" the LAN connection.
Good luck!
Planckscale