Home network setup

[john]

I'm trying to set up home network for the first time, to enable file
and printer sharing. I have 2 PC's (WinXP Home desktop and Win98
laptop) both connected by their ethernet adapters to a Linksys DSL
Gateway/4-port router. Both can access the internet without any
problems via the DSL Router. Although dial-up modems are fitted to
both PC's they are not used except in emergency (i.e. DSL problems).

I started the Network Setup Wizard on the XP PC and was surprised to
get the message: The Wizard found a shared Internet connection on the
computer "Unknown Internet Connection Sharing Device" and it
recommended that I should use it. This didn't make sense to me (since
I was expecting to chose "...connects through a residential
gateway....") and, until I can determine why I get this odd message,
I've taken the coward's way out and gone no further! I've no idea what
this "unknown device" is, unless the Wizard is treating the Router
itself as a computer.

The other odd thing is that, after starting the Wizard, when I open
Control Panel > Network Connections I see a "new" connection under
Internet Gateway that shows a disabled Internet connection. Obvioulsy
the "proper" connection is through the router. When I re-boot the PC,
this "new" connection disappears from Network Connections and I'm just
left with the active LAN connection.

I would be really grateful if someone out there could help me on this
one. Obviously I don't want to kill off what is a perfectly good
Internet connection via the router.


Regards

 

[Eric]

Hi John,

I am pretty certain that this is simply the router it is referring to.
If you feel nervous about it, set a System Restore point before you run the
Network Setup Wizard. However, I believe that's identical to what happened
for me when I set up my home network, also consisting originally of a DSL
connection shared via a Linksys 4-Port Gateway/Router (at least, I believe
this is what you meant). Just continuing with the wizard, choosing which
devices to share (I share my files and printers with my wife's computer),
will work just fine. Good luck to you!

-- Eric