Home Networking Issue

[Infamous]

Hey, I have moved back in with my parents and tried to set up a home network like I used to have with the people I lived before I moved house.

The Network goes like this ... My PC is a client, connected to my parents PC through a 20 Meter Ethernet Cable which is the host both running XP. At first when I ran the Microsoft ICS program they both spoke to each other, but the client couldn't access any websites at all or do anything Internet wise.

To this I installed Zone Alarm Pro as that is what I had on the old Network and could configure the host to let the client have access to the Internet, so I configured that and sure enough Internet access to the client was allowed, programs like Teamspeak2, X-Fire, Firefox all worked.

However, what puzzles me is that MSN Messenger is unable to sign in at all, and also Firefox can not access Myspace, Bebo, Hotmail at all ... it just seems to hang on these pages. Also browsing for games using Gamespy in ArmA doesn't show any games, yet I can still play online by entering a IP or searching in the filter for a specific type of name?

Now this did happen on my old network but I can't remember how I fixed it, I tried editing the MTF but this didn't help at all, so any ideas on what's causing this problem and how to fix it?

Regards

[Splash]

I refer the honourable gentleman to buying a router. I'd rather stab myself in the face with a spork than try to deal with the arcane power that is Windows Internet Connection Sharing, and so should you.

[kidzer]

Seconded, Windows makes a very bad router it seems, ICS should generally be used as a last resort.

The best 'fix' would be to get a (even just a cheap one, I recall scan having a rather good, for the regular home user, Edimax one for around £20) router and connect all the machines to that.

[djfluff]

You could try this... On your main PC, while connected to the internet, bring up a command prompt and type "ipconfig /all"

On the client PC, try setting the DNS server settings (in ip configuration) to be the same as the main PC.

[djfluff]

And buy a router !

[peterb]

For the avoidance of doubt and confusion... get a router (Simpler and ultimately more flexible)

[Infamous]

Seems a Router is the way to go then ... how hard are they to set up with a Home Network?

[Splash]

plug in, put in your ISP details and you should be connected to the internet. From there connect each machine via either a network cable or wireless. Router maintains connection for you, so you don't need the other machine on to connect to the internet, and apps that like to be awkward over ICS Just Work(tm)

[djfluff]

So, bargan hunters. Find Infamous a deal on a router ... GO !

[djfluff]

This one only £27.65 ... http://svp.co.uk/products-solo.php?pid=2629&prepg=1

[Splash]

ADSL or Cable?

[Infamous]

ADSL or Cable?

ADSL I assume, where using Virgin Media. Also thanks for the quick replies guys ... I'm looking for a good cheap reliable router!

[Splash]

afaik Virgin Media is predominantly cable, but with some ADSL. Really need to get confirmation... How do you normally connect what's currently your "gateway" PC to the internet? Does it go through a cable box or does it hook up to a squashed frog or similar?

[Infamous]

afaik Virgin Media is predominantly cable, but with some ADSL. Really need to get confirmation... How do you normally connect what's currently your "gateway" PC to the internet? Does it go through a cable box or does it hook up to a squashed frog or similar?

The Host PC uses a USB Modem to dial out once you give it your username and password.

[Splash]

Ok, that's likely ADSL in that case, but if your USB modem has any model number or similar we should be able to confirm one way or another.

If ADSL then (dependent on what your requirements are) the Netgear DG834 comes fairly highly recommended at around 45 quid, though different people may recommend different kit. I personally use a Draytek Vigor 2800, but that's most likely a little over budget and most definitely overkill for your requirements.

[Infamous]

Speedtouch USB Modem if that helps? And I was looking for something quite cheap but not so cheap as to give me a list of problems!