Puzzled about Windows XP networking services components

[Guest]

hello experts,

Despite trying to read up on their functionality and purpose, I fail to
understand which Networking Services should be enabled or disabled in
Add/Remove Windows Components, Networking Services.

Rather than leave the defaults or enable them all 'just in case', I'd like
to get a definitive answer as to which ones are actually necessary. This will
probably be easier than anyone trying to explain to me what they actually do !

The services I am referring to are :
Internet Gateway Device Discovery and Control Client
Peer-To-Peer
RIP Listener
Simple TCP/IP Services
UPnP User Interface

To help you, below are brief descriptions of 2 XP installations and their
usage.
Please let me know which of those 5 components are required for either. I
can of course offer more detail if necessary.

1) Standalone desktop pc, broadband internet requiring a username and
password via a USB ADSL modem, peripherals include CRT monitor, Printer,
Webcam, USB Hub. Bit torrent usage undertaken. No wireless usage at all.

2) Laptop, broadband internet via a Netgear router which has login and
password embedded into it by ISP equipment supplier, can use ethernet cable
to connect router to laptop or no cable and using a USB Dongle. Never any bit
torrent usage undertaken. No peripherals usually connected or needed but on
the odd occasion maybe a printer.

Thanks a lot,
Lee
England

 

[Guest]

None of the above. If you haven't messed with any settings you should be
good to go. Networking is (should) not be affected by any peripherals
(monitors, printers, etc) unless you want to network them. BTW - if you have
a choice between USB and Eternet on your ADSL modems, use the Ethernet, it's
a lot faster.

If you need further assistance in private, you may contact me at
(e-mail address removed). Networking is easy once you realize it.

Jeff

 

[Guest]

Thanks JeffS, I've just noticed your reply.

Whilst experimenting / trying things on the laptop+router via ethernet cable
or USB Dongle, I seemed to find that I needed to have the Internet Gateway
Device Discovery and Control Client XP component installed / enabled, but
maybe I just imagined it !?

By the way, I don't know the specifics of the broadband account that my dad
has on that laptop, but XP seems to be showing it as about 2.5 or 3 Mbps via
wireless. I don't know the specific up or down speeds that that broadband
account should be reaching though.
I notice that using the ethernet cable offers a capability of 100 Mbps; the
broadband account obviously wouldn't be that fast anyway but typically how
much speed is lost by using wireless (USB Dongle) instead of the ethernet
cable?

Thanks again,
Lee