Vista forgets network is private

[Wessel Troost]

We've got this simple setup with internet connection sharing:

ADSL Modem -> PC1 -> PC2

Both PC's run Vista. PC1 shares the internet connection using ICS.

The connection between PC1 and PC2 is marked "Private" on both PC's,
but sometimes Vista forgets this, and marks the network as "Public"
again. This stops PC2 from accessing the internet, or PC1 from reading
shares on PC2, and so on.

Solving this requires a reboot or "ipconfig /renew" on PC2, and then
marking the network as private again on both computers. The issue is
reproducable by booting PC2 before PC1. I've explained the users how
to do that, but they are not happy about it.

Is there a way to tell Vista that the network is really private?
Is there a way to turn off the private/public "smart" behaviour
altogether?

 

[Mick Murphy]

http://www.lytebyte.com/2007/02/21/...connection-with-another-computer-using-vista/

Is the above how you set it up?

 

[Wessel Troost]

http://www.lytebyte.com/2007/02/21/how-to-share-one-internet-connecti...

Is the above how you set it up?

Yeah, like that. The problem is that the Private network (labelled
"Network" in your example) reverts to a Public network whenever PC2 is
started first.

Being marked as a Public network disables file sharing & prevents PC1
from sharing its internet connection.

 

[Chris Harris]

I have the same issue but with PC2 running XP.

Anyone have the answer?

Thanks

 

[SweetCheebs]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me nobody has an answer to this.
I'll clarify my situation. I can change the network type in Vista to Private,
after which I can stream files on my 360. If I reboot my PC, the settings
remain as I left them. When I turn on my 360 and attempt to stream a file,
the settings revert to public and file sharing is turned back off.

In another thread a tech told me I could make exceptions in windows firewall
to solve the issue, but he didn't give specifics and won't reply to my
queries now. It would be nice to see someone post a detailed solution.
Apparently the fact that I have 2 network connections on my mobo has
something to do with it. My 360 is connected to the internet through ICS.

I would really appreciate it if someone could reply to this post. If you
don't know the solution, a simple "we're working on it" would suffice. Thank
you for your time.

 

[Wessel Troost]

I would really appreciate it if someone could reply to this post. If you

don't know the solution, a simple "we're working on it" would suffice. Thank
you for your time.

Here's how to turn off your firewall entirely for a specific network
adapter.
1. Open network and sharing center
2. Click "Windows Firewall" (bottom left, in de side bar)
3. Click "Turn Windows Firewall on or off" (top left, side bar)
4. Go to the "Advanced" tab
5. Deselect your LAN adapter

After this, Vista will still mark your adapter as public, but it won't
have any effect.

Turning off a firewall is not too risky as long as there's another
device or computer between your interface and the Internet.

 

[SweetCheebs]

Can I only disable the firewall for the adapter connecting my pc to my 360?
Or do I have to disable it entirely? Either way, this is a design flaw and
needs to be addressed.

 

[Wessel Troost]

Can I only disable the firewall for the adapter connecting my pc to my 360?

Or do I have to disable it entirely? Either way, this is a design flaw and
needs to be addressed.

For me, disabling it on a single adapter solved the issue.

 

[SweetCheebs]

Just got home and I'm sorry to say your solution did not work. The only way I
can stop the issue from occuring is to turn off windows firewall altogther
which is unacceptable. To clarify, I have my 360 connected to my second
network adapter. I go to the firewall options and uncheck the box for
"network adapter 2". After saving the change, if I turn my 360 on, the
settings revert to public and file sharing is turned off.

Any other ideas?

 

[Wessel Troost]

Any other ideas?Verify that you're disabling the right adapter.
Or just try disabling the firewall for "network adapter 1".

 

[SweetCheebs]

Network adapter 1 is my incoming internet connection, 2 is connected to my
xbox. If I'm going to disable adapter 1, I might as well turn off the
firewall altogether. If this is the only way to solve the problem, I'll wait
for it to be fixed.

It doesn't make sense to me that windows firewall would override admin
settings. As long as we agree that this a design flaw, I can walk away
somewhat reassured. Hopefully this can be reported to someone in a position
to make a change. I appreciate the time you've spent helping me, hopefully a
true solution to the problem can come of this.