XP client of XP ICS master can only use the internet for Google!

[test2005]

I have a weird problem here. I have two XP machines, one with a direct
connection to the internet and the other is setup as an ICS client. You
used to be able to browse just fine from the latter, but during the
last few weeks the internet has stopped working. In the course of the
investigation, I found something interesting - I can browse to any
google page, can search for anything I want to google, but cannot click
on any of the external links offered (though I can open an external
content page if it is cached by google).

Both machines run XP Professional SP2 and are patched with critical
updates. The ICS settings are correct on the client, and it is not a
general network problem as when I plug my laptop into the cable that
connects to the desktop client (that isnt working), the laptop can
browse the internet fine.

I heard it might be a Winsock issue, but I ran a utility to check this
and the results were fine. I also removed the computer from the
workgroup and readded it to no effect. Finally, I uninstalled the
network card and rebooted the pc to force it to reinstall, but this
made no change either.

This is really weird, so any light that can be shed upon this would be
much appreicated.

Thanks,

KC

 

[Chuck]

I have a weird problem here. I have two XP machines, one with a direct
connection to the internet and the other is setup as an ICS client. You
used to be able to browse just fine from the latter, but during the
last few weeks the internet has stopped working. In the course of the
investigation, I found something interesting - I can browse to any
google page, can search for anything I want to google, but cannot click
on any of the external links offered (though I can open an external
content page if it is cached by google).

Both machines run XP Professional SP2 and are patched with critical
updates. The ICS settings are correct on the client, and it is not a
general network problem as when I plug my laptop into the cable that
connects to the desktop client (that isnt working), the laptop can
browse the internet fine.

I heard it might be a Winsock issue, but I ran a utility to check this
and the results were fine. I also removed the computer from the
workgroup and readded it to no effect. Finally, I uninstalled the
network card and rebooted the pc to force it to reinstall, but this
made no change either.

This is really weird, so any light that can be shed upon this would be
much appreicated.

Thanks,

KC

KC,

Weird indeed. Let's look at "ipconfig /all" from each computer, to start.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-internet-service.html#AskingForHelp>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-internet-service.html#AskingForHelp

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: <[email protected]>

| I have a weird problem here. I have two XP machines, one with a direct
| connection to the internet and the other is setup as an ICS client. You
| used to be able to browse just fine from the latter, but during the
| last few weeks the internet has stopped working. In the course of the
| investigation, I found something interesting - I can browse to any
| google page, can search for anything I want to google, but cannot click
| on any of the external links offered (though I can open an external
| content page if it is cached by google).
|
| Both machines run XP Professional SP2 and are patched with critical
| updates. The ICS settings are correct on the client, and it is not a
| general network problem as when I plug my laptop into the cable that
| connects to the desktop client (that isnt working), the laptop can
| browse the internet fine.
|
| I heard it might be a Winsock issue, but I ran a utility to check this
| and the results were fine. I also removed the computer from the
| workgroup and readded it to no effect. Finally, I uninstalled the
| network card and rebooted the pc to force it to reinstall, but this
| made no change either.
|
| This is really weird, so any light that can be shed upon this would be
| much appreicated.
|
| Thanks,
|
| KC

Get a Cable/DSL Router such as the Linksys BEFSR41 and dump the concept of ICS. It is a
much better approach to sharing the one WAN (Internet) address.

 

[Guest]

I have a weird problem here. I have two XP machines, one with a direct
connection to the internet and the other is setup as an ICS client. You
used to be able to browse just fine from the latter, but during the
last few weeks the internet has stopped working. In the course of the
investigation, I found something interesting - I can browse to any
google page, can search for anything I want to google, but cannot click
on any of the external links offered (though I can open an external
content page if it is cached by google).

Both machines run XP Professional SP2 and are patched with critical
updates. The ICS settings are correct on the client, and it is not a
general network problem as when I plug my laptop into the cable that
connects to the desktop client (that isnt working), the laptop can
browse the internet fine.

I heard it might be a Winsock issue, but I ran a utility to check this
and the results were fine. I also removed the computer from the
workgroup and readded it to no effect. Finally, I uninstalled the
network card and rebooted the pc to force it to reinstall, but this
made no change either.

This is really weird, so any light that can be shed upon this would be
much appreicated.

Thanks,

KC

Sounds like pc #2 doesn't have a correct DNS server assigned, the
reason you can access google ok is that address may already be cached
on the system. on pc #1 do an ipconfig /all and note down the ip
addresses of the dns servers, on pc #2 right click on my network
places/properties/tcp-ip properties and enter the ip address in there,
then from the command prompt type in ipconfig /flush_dns then try
again.

Flamer.

 

[Kurt]

This is always someone's answer, but doesn't answer any questions. ICS works
just fine (as good as any low - mid range hardware router) if it's set up
right and if you don't mind leaving the ICS computer on all the time so
others can get Internet access.

....kurt

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "Kurt" <[email protected]>

|
| This is always someone's answer, but doesn't answer any questions. ICS works
| just fine (as good as any low - mid range hardware router) if it's set up
| right and if you don't mind leaving the ICS computer on all the time so
| others can get Internet access.
|
| ...kurt
|

It doesn't work nearly as well and yes it requires a PC to be up and running for ICS to
work.

A Cable/DSL Router or a Cable/DSL Router with a Full FireWall implementation has far more
capabilities such as specifically blocking TCP and UDP ports 135 ~ 139 and 445. dditionally
the Router I suggested is a 4-port 10/100 Mb/s Ethernet Switch. Thus making sharing the WAN
a more than easy task. This can easily include game boxes like the XBox and playstation/2.

The suggestion of such a device in place of ICS does not answer the question. It side-steps
the problem completely and provides a simple and easy solution to sharing the Internet.
There are even such devices as the Netgear FVS124G --
http://netgear.com/products/details/FVS124G.php which provides dual WAN 10/100 Mb/s ports
and 4 10/100/1000 Mb/s switched Ethernet ports. Or the Edimax PermaLink PRI-682 --
http://www.edimax.com/html/english/products/PRI682.htm which provides complete load
balacing of two WAN links such as DSL and Cable.

Personally I use a Linksys BEFRS81.

 

[James Egan]

The suggestion of such a device in place of ICS does not answer the question. It side-steps
the problem completely and provides a simple and easy solution to sharing the Internet.

Can you explain how it side steps the problem? How do you know the
problem is with the ICS machine, given that when the laptop is plugged
in as client everything works okay?

Also, you are assuming DSL/cable access again and ignoring the
possibility of dialup.


Jim.

 

[Chuck]

This is always someone's answer, but doesn't answer any questions. ICS works
just fine (as good as any low - mid range hardware router) if it's set up
right and if you don't mind leaving the ICS computer on all the time so
others can get Internet access.

There are multiple disadvantages to ICS:
# The ICS sharing connection gets a forced (and non-configurable) ip address of
192.168.0.1. If the primary network card (where the internet service originates)
is on the 192.168.0.0/24 subnet, you have a problem.
# The ICS server has to be on, whenever you wish to access the internet from any
ICS client.
# Any time you load software on the ICS server, and / or restart it, you will
affect internet service to the ICS clients.
# Occasionally, the internet traffic from the ICS clients may strain the
resources of the ICS server.
# Depending upon its configuration, a personal firewall running on the ICS
server may also strain the resources of the server. This is generally a problem
with malicious incoming traffic, which the firewall must log and / or research.
# If the ICS server is also used for web browsing, the firewall on the ICS
server may be vulnerable to any malware acquired thru the browsing.

If the incoming connection is Ethernet, and as inexpensive as NAT routers are,
using ICS is just silly.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/ics-is-ok-but-you-can-do-better.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/ics-is-ok-but-you-can-do-better.html

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "James Egan" <[email protected]>

| On Fri, 21 Jul 2006 22:09:20 -0400, "David H. Lipman"
|
| Can you explain how it side steps the problem? How do you know the
| problem is with the ICS machine, given that when the laptop is plugged
| in as client everything works okay?
|
| Also, you are assuming DSL/cable access again and ignoring the
| possibility of dialup.
|
| Jim.

IP: 81.170.56.237 --> Video Networks Limited which is a Broadband company.


BTW: There are Cable/DSL Routers with an included RS232 port for DUN.

 

[James Egan]

| Can you explain how it side steps the problem? How do you know the
| problem is with the ICS machine, given that when the laptop is plugged
| in as client everything works okay?
|
| Also, you are assuming DSL/cable access again and ignoring the
| possibility of dialup.
|
| Jim.

IP: 81.170.56.237 --> Video Networks Limited which is a Broadband company.


BTW: There are Cable/DSL Routers with an included RS232 port for DUN.

Okay, you didn't assume DSL. What about the other bit?


Jim.

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "James Egan" <[email protected]>

| Okay, you didn't assume DSL. What about the other bit?
|
| Jim.

The other bit ?
I side stepped that too

 

[James Egan]

If the incoming connection is Ethernet, and as inexpensive as NAT routers are,
using ICS is just silly.

I don't think anyone is arguing about whether it's better or not. It's
not a solution to the problem, though.

The incoming connection is not ethernet. I originally thought it might
be the pppoe problem of using a mtu of 1500 but BT phone lines use ppp
over atm so it can't be that.


Jim.

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "James Egan" <[email protected]>


|
| I don't think anyone is arguing about whether it's better or not. It's
| not a solution to the problem, though.
|
| The incoming connection is not ethernet. I originally thought it might
| be the pppoe problem of using a mtu of 1500 but BT phone lines use ppp
| over atm so it can't be that.
|
| Jim.

James, trhat's a metter of opinion.
The oproblem is getting multiple computers to share the one WAN Internet link.
The solution is using a Broadband Router.

BTW: If it is DSL using PPPoE then there is an 8 byte overhead thus reducing the size of
MTU from 1500 to 1492 bytes. Very easily set on the WAN interface of a Router.

 

[Chuck]

I don't think anyone is arguing about whether it's better or not. It's
not a solution to the problem, though.

The incoming connection is not ethernet. I originally thought it might
be the pppoe problem of using a mtu of 1500 but BT phone lines use ppp
over atm so it can't be that.


Jim.

It's not the ONLY solution to the problem. But it may be a better long term
solution.

Since the OP has only posted once, I'm not too sure if we'll ever get the
details. But, he said
# I have two XP machines, one with a direct connection to the internet.
# when I plug my laptop into the cable that connects to the desktop client.
could indicate either dialup or Ethernet. He doesn't mention what modem he is
using, nor where the modem is.

Regardless of whether it's dialup or Ethernet, he could use a NAT router, and
avoid all the silliness.

A little more detail about the problem could go a long way too.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-internet-service.html#AskingForHelp>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/troubleshooting-internet-service.html#AskingForHelp
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/background-information-useful-in.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/background-information-useful-in.html

 

[James Egan]

Regardless of whether it's dialup or Ethernet, he could use a NAT router, and
avoid all the silliness.

You and Dave seem to think that using a router in place if the ics
server would resolve the problem when he states that it works okay
with the laptop client connected in place of the misbehaving desktop
client.

What makes you think the problem would be resolved? Why is the problem
with the ics server and not the ics desktop client?


Jim.

 

[Kurt]

I never said it had all the features. Answering the question, "What's wrong
with my ICS setup?" with "Buy a router" is like answering the question "Why
won't my car start?" with "Buy a horse". I've set up ICS many times in
situations where there was no choice (sharing a wireless connection with
wired workstations for instance). No you can't configure the firewall to
block specific outbound ports. But you CAN get it to connect a couple of
other computers to the Internet.

....kurt

 

[Kurt]

There are multiple disadvantages to ICS:

# The ICS sharing connection gets a forced (and non-configurable) ip
address of
192.168.0.1. If the primary network card (where the internet service
originates)
is on the 192.168.0.0/24 subnet, you have a problem.

192.168.0.1 is the default setup. Once ICS is enabled you can change the IP
address to whatever you want. You do give up DHCP server service.

# The ICS server has to be on, whenever you wish to access the internet
from any
ICS client.

As noted in my post.

# Any time you load software on the ICS server, and / or restart it, you
will
affect internet service to the ICS clients.
Obviously.

# Occasionally, the internet traffic from the ICS clients may strain the
resources of the ICS server.

It'd have to be a dog of a computer.

# Depending upon its configuration, a personal firewall running on the ICS
server may also strain the resources of the server. This is generally a
problem
with malicious incoming traffic, which the firewall must log and / or
research.

A personal firewall will strain any computer if it's analyzing lots of
traffic.
I concede that the lack of a firewall is valid point.

# If the ICS server is also used for web browsing, the firewall on the ICS
server may be vulnerable to any malware acquired thru the browsing.

No more so than any computer connected to the LAN of any other computer
browsing the Internet.

If the incoming connection is Ethernet, and as inexpensive as NAT routers
are,
using ICS is just silly.

Again, my point wasn't that ICS was the greatest choice. Just that "Buy a
real
router" doesn't address the question the OP asked in any way. There are
plenty
of reasons to use ICS. We recently had a booth at a tech fair where the only
Internet access was wireless. In order to get Internet to all of our Desktop
PCs, I connected to the wireless with a laptop, shared the connection, and
all the wired computers got Internet through our private LAN. The only
other choice was go out and buy a bunch of wireless NICs.

 

[Chuck]

You and Dave seem to think that using a router in place if the ics
server would resolve the problem when he states that it works okay
with the laptop client connected in place of the misbehaving desktop
client.

What makes you think the problem would be resolved? Why is the problem
with the ics server and not the ics desktop client?


Jim.

No Jim, what we know is that it's easier to solve network problems without the
complication of ICS. Getting rid of ICS won't solve every problem. But it will
make it a little easier to diagnose problems, if you have 2 NAT clients rather
than 1 NAT router and 1 NAT client. And in the long term, the OP is better off.

ICS was a great idea years ago, when computers and routers were expensive. With
NAT routers going for the price of 1 - 2 months Internet service, and providing
the benefits that they do, it's silly not to get one.

Now the OP having given but 1 problem report, and no follow up, it's possible
that his problem is in the ICS desktop client. But with the ambiguity /
vagueness of his details, you could interpret the symptoms several ways.

I suspect we'll have to wait til the OP returns.

 

[James Egan]

The only
other choice was go out and buy a bunch of wireless NICs.

Or maybe set up a network bridge between the wired and wireless
interfaces on the laptop?


Jim.

 

[test2005]

Hi,

Apologies for the lateness in my follow up posting but I was out of
town this weekend. I am at work now, but I will look again at this
problem tonight when I get back to my home.

Thanks to everyone who offered suggestions to move forward on this
problem, and I also read the pro / anti ICS debate with interest (I
particularly enjoyed the analogy of recommending a broken down care be
replaced with a horse!).

I might well go for a wireless router following the reprimands issued
, but getting the equipment would take a little time, so I hope to
get ICS working first. I will try the Flamer's suggestion tonight, and
let you know what happens.

Best,

KC