Internet Connection Sharing

[grip_daddy]

I have two computers that cannot be viewed by other computers in the network but can view the others. The local area network for the two cannot be seen and i can't change windows firewall settings because the ics cannot be started. Help and support centre adviced me to run the network setup wizard from the host computer but that option cannot run on the two computers. I have reinstalled windows over and over only to use the lan for few hours before it disappears. Any help? it can't be the os because it is running nicely on other similar machines.

[YB*]

Originally Posted by grip_daddy

I have two computers that cannot be viewed by other computers in the network but can view the others.

Maswali? What kind of network connection are you running, as in - unatumia microsoft server software - from where unafanya admin or is it a group situation (peer to peer setup)? where its kawaida windows for all the comps then you ask the comp to 'see' others?

[grip_daddy]

Originally Posted by YB*

Maswali? What kind of network connection are you running, as in - unatumia microsoft server software - from where unafanya admin or is it a group situation (peer to peer setup)? where its kawaida windows for all the comps then you ask the comp to 'see' others?

I'm in a domain with the server on Windows 2003 Server while the clients are on Windows XP SP2. Two of the client computers can only be viewed when the LAN icons are on at right end of the Task Bar but cannot maintain this for long. Every time the LAN icons disappear, I can't view them nor use them remotely (by remote desktop utility). The firewall always prompts me to enable the ICS but Windows cannot do it. So, how can I resolve the ICS issue?

[YB*]

Originally Posted by grip_daddy

I'm in a domain with the server on Windows 2003 Server while the clients are on Windows XP SP2.

Am just marginally conversant with server prgs, but i have had the same problems at some point, am assuming you are manually assigning the IP addresses to the clients? I will chill and wait for the server types to help you as i watch and learn.

[grip_daddy]

Originally Posted by yb*

am just marginally conversant with server prgs, but i have had the same problems at some point, am assuming you are manually assigning the ip addresses to the clients? i will chill and wait for the server types to help you as i watch and learn.

i actually join to the domain using domain names at os installation or through get network id located at my computer properties unders computer name. The process then gives the client an ip address which i've not been bothered to verify but might do so if need be.

[maziwa]

am not too conversant with networking lakini u say ics cannot be started. have u checked that a service it depends on is not disabled. how r u trying to start ics? (again am amateur at best in nt)

[Erickarn]

Originally Posted by grip_daddy

I have two computers that cannot be viewed by other computers in the network but can view the others. The local area network for the two cannot be seen and i can't change windows firewall settings because the ics cannot be started. Help and support centre adviced me to run the network setup wizard from the host computer but that option cannot run on the two computers. I have reinstalled windows over and over only to use the lan for few hours before it disappears. Any help? it can't be the os because it is running nicely on other similar machines.

I may be wrong, but ICS may not be the issue. ICS is used on a home network where one Win XP computer is attached to a dsl or cable modem, and allows other comps to connect through it. In an office environment, "File and Printer Sharing" is more important.

Is "File and Printer Sharing" turned on both XP comps (it's on by default)? Are their firewalls turned off? Can you ping the IP address of the "invisible" PCs from the other PCs?

Originally Posted by grip_daddy

Two of the client computers can only be viewed when the LAN icons are on at right end of the Task Bar but cannot maintain this for long. Every time the LAN icons disappear, I can't view them nor use them remotely (by remote desktop utility). The firewall always prompts me to enable the ICS but Windows cannot do it. So, how can I resolve the ICS issue?

What's the error message when you try and enable ICS? Windows has a bad tabia of leading you down the wrong path with vague error messages, so the problem may be connectivity, not ICS. Try pinging the "invisible" comps, or giving them a static IP address (if they have a dynamic IP address). In an office environment, firewalls should be off for client PCs.

[grip_daddy]

I think I've been installing "wrong" services for network connectivity from LAN property settings. I'll try and leave default network settings and monitor how the performance shall be then try your suggested options @Erickarn.

Regards to you all and blessings too.