Internet connection share/view wireless connection question

[Jim Marshall]

After installing a Netgear router which replaced a previous ICS connection
between an XP machine and a Win98 machine, I had to disable a MAC bridge
(which I am only vaguely familiar with its functionality) to access the
intenet (broadband) and get the network working. Now, while the 2 machines
are networked and working well and the connection is speedy, I do not see
the wireless connection when I look in the View All Connections view under
network connections (shouldn't I see this?), and also, if I go into the
properties of the Network adapter I amusing for my broadband, I no longer
see the check box or any functionaliity for sharing internet through ICS.
Shouldn't I still see this and have the capability of turning this back on?

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

After installing a Netgear router which replaced a previous ICS connection
between an XP machine and a Win98 machine, I had to disable a MAC bridge
(which I am only vaguely familiar with its functionality) to access the
intenet (broadband) and get the network working. Now, while the 2 machines
are networked and working well and the connection is speedy, I do not see
the wireless connection when I look in the View All Connections view under
network connections (shouldn't I see this?),

What is the "MAC bridge" that you disabled? Is it related to the
wireless network connection?

I'd try un-installing and re-installing the wireless network adapter
in Device Manager.

and also, if I go into the
properties of the Network adapter I amusing for my broadband, I no longer
see the check box or any functionaliity for sharing internet through ICS.
Shouldn't I still see this and have the capability of turning this back on?

The ICS option only appears when there are two or more network
connections: one for the Internet, and one or more for the home
network (LAN).
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Jim Marshall]

Steve, The Netgear router does not show up in Device Manager - Should It?
The MAC bridge (labelled MAC Bridge Miniport) I presumed to be there and/or
installed when I was using the ICS for internet networking, using 2 Ashton
Digital Wireless USB sticks (AIRDASH). When I installed the Netgear, I
uninstalled the software for the airdash usb sticks, but I am still using
one usb stick on my WIN98SE pc to receive the router's signal and have that
s/w still on it but reconfigured for the router. But I couldn't connect to
the internet on my LAN adapter until I disabled the MAC bridge on the XP
machine.

Right now what shows up on Show all connections on the XP is Local Area
Connection -High Speed Internet(NVIDIA nForce MCP Controller) - Under
Network Bridge, I have the Mac Bridge Miniport, which I disabled, and the
1394 Connection (which I understand to be the firewire connection) and which
is listed as Bridged and enabled. I didn't disable that because my internet
connection and the network worked once I disabled the MAC bridge, but why is
that still bridged? Should I disable that as well (I get the feeling that
1394 adapter should not be listed under "Bridges" as I've seen it listed on
a friend's computer under the Lan-High Speed internet connection.)

I am fairly pc savvy (self taught) but know next to nothing about wireless
(as should be evident). I just know it's working but I am concerned I might
be vulnerable somewhere, although I have a s/w firewall suite, install all
my patches, and cleen junk and spyware regularly. Thanks for any info you
can provide.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Steve, The Netgear router does not show up in Device Manager - Should It?

No. The router isn't an installed device, even if you installed
software for it.

The MAC bridge (labelled MAC Bridge Miniport) I presumed to be there and/or
installed when I was using the ICS for internet networking, using 2 Ashton
Digital Wireless USB sticks (AIRDASH). When I installed the Netgear, I
uninstalled the software for the airdash usb sticks, but I am still using
one usb stick on my WIN98SE pc to receive the router's signal and have that
s/w still on it but reconfigured for the router. But I couldn't connect to
the internet on my LAN adapter until I disabled the MAC bridge on the XP
machine.

I'm sorry, but I don't know what the MAC bridge is. ICS didn't create
it. I assume that it's associated with one of your computer's network
connections and that it should be enabled.

Right now what shows up on Show all connections on the XP is Local Area
Connection -High Speed Internet(NVIDIA nForce MCP Controller) - Under
Network Bridge, I have the Mac Bridge Miniport, which I disabled, and the
1394 Connection (which I understand to be the firewire connection) and which
is listed as Bridged and enabled. I didn't disable that because my internet
connection and the network worked once I disabled the MAC bridge, but why is
that still bridged? Should I disable that as well (I get the feeling that
1394 adapter should not be listed under "Bridges" as I've seen it listed on
a friend's computer under the Lan-High Speed internet connection.)

Right-click and remove the Network Bridge. It serves no purpose in
your setup, and it could cause problems. I've written a web page
about it:

XP ICS - Network Bridge
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/networkbridge.htm

I am fairly pc savvy (self taught) but know next to nothing about wireless
(as should be evident). I just know it's working but I am concerned I might
be vulnerable somewhere, although I have a s/w firewall suite, install all
my patches, and cleen junk and spyware regularly. Thanks for any info you
can provide.

Does this computer use a wired network connection or a wireless
network connection?

If it uses wireless, I'd try un-installing and re-installing the
wireless network adapter in Device Manager.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com