USB DSL Modem and RJ45 Crossover Cable

[juggler]

I have an XP computer connected to the internet via a USB broadband cable. I then have a second win 98 computer connected to the first via standard network cable using the NIC's on both machines. I've used the XP installation CD to set up the home network, but I can't get the internet connection shared, even though windows detects and displays an internet gateway.

Is it possible to share an internet connection in this way, or will the ISP detect the second MAC address and prevent access, thereby forcing the purchase of a hub (USB or ethernet)?

[Mesaeus]

Originally Posted by juggler I have an XP computer connected to the internet via a USB broadband cable. I then have a second win 98 computer connected to the first via standard network cable using the NIC's on both machines.

Maybe just a nitpick, but that cable is the Crossover cable out of your subject and it definitely is NOT a standard cable. Standard cables are not crossed over, you cannot use that cable for example to connect to a hub or switch (unless it has a special port you can use), you can only connect two nic with it. Just a tip

I've used the XP installation CD to set up the home network, but I can't get the internet connection shared, even though windows detects and displays an internet gateway.

Where does it display this gateway ? In any case, for ICS to work, you need to get to the device that's your internet connection. Can you go to Control Panel/Network Connections and sum up everything in there ?

Is it possible to share an internet connection in this way, or will the ISP detect the second MAC address and prevent access, thereby forcing the purchase of a hub (USB or ethernet)?

They should not be able to detect this. There was a method invented last year which in theory can be used to "count" devices behind a NAT, but I doubt they can do it in practice, it's certainly not easy. Don't worry about it.

[juggler]

I'm afraid that I'm using terminology that I don't really understand when I say 'crossover', I thought it meant that it applied to any cable joining two NICs. The network cable that I'm using is actually the cable which came with the DSL modem. I used it out of convenience because the cable that I'd used previously is 10m long and a bit unruly. I can share files and printers, just not the internet connection, the internet gateway icon is displayed in the system tray on the win 98 machine.

Thanks for your advice so far! I'm not sure exactly what you mean about summing things up in the control panel. Could you elaborate a little?