Windows XP Home network - internet sharing

[Tina Mikolajczyk]

I have two windows XP dell computers that both have
internet access and network cards. (Please note that I
am not a real technical computer person)

I was interested in being able to share files between the
two computers and to share one printer.

I purchased a network cable and connected the two
computers together and ran network wizard on both
computers. I ran the wizard first on my "downstairs"
computer which is the one connected to the printer. I
then ran the wizard on my "upstairs" computer.

I am able to retrieve files and print on the network
fine, except that whenever I log on to the computer
upstairs, retrieve a file or print, it connects my
downstairs computer to AOL.

I would like to have my internet connections not
be "automatic". I would like to log on to AOL downstairs
when I want and upstairs when I want, not have it happen
automatically when I want to retrieve a file or print.

Is it possible to have the two computers networked
without logging onto the internet? When running the
wizard, there wasn't a choice to have each computer have
its own internet connection.

Thanks,
Tina

 

[Philip Herlihy]

There's an option on the Advanced tab of the Properties sheet for my default
connection which allows you to turn this off, but my trial AOL connection
doesn't seem to have a Properties sheet! You might ask the AOL helpline
about this one, perhaps.