How to share internet connection on Windows Vista OS. I want to share internet connection between two Laptops using Windows Vista Operating system and the other using Windows XP. The Host computer is Windows Vista while the client is Windows XP. Please how do I setup the connection on the Host computer which is using Windows Vista OS so that the other computer can use the internet connection using Crossed Cable conection (Cat 5 with RJ45 plug).

All right let's call your Vista computer A and your Xp computer B. First you have to bring the two computers into LAN. If you already did this, please skip the next eight steps.

Step 1: In Vista, before doing this you should enable Sharing and Discovery. You can do that by going to Control Panel -> Network and Sharing Center. Under the section ‘Sharing and Discovery, enable Network discovery, File Sharing, Public folder sharing and others if you want to. (See picture below)

Step 2: If your LAN card that is connecting to another computer is installed, it will be shown under Control Panel -> Network Connections.

Step 3: Right click that local area connection and click properties.

Step 4: Under the tab ‘Networking’, click the properties Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).

Step 5: Click the radio button to ‘Use the following IP’ and give an IP address (For example, IP address: 192.168.0.1 and Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0)

Step 6: Don’t give any other information, Click Ok and close everything.

Step 7: In computer B, which is the XP, make sure you enable the LAN card which is used to connect to computer ‘A’. Here you need not give any IP information as Computer ‘A’ will assign an IP address dynamically. If it’s not working make sure there are no IP assigned and change the properties to ‘Obtain an IP address automatically’.

Step 8: Test the connection by pinging. (You can do this by typing ping 192.168.0.1 or whichever is Compter ‘A’s IP in the comand prompt)

NOW your computers are connected. Now to share the internet:

Right click LAN card which is connected to Internet under Control Panel -> Network Connections and click ‘Sharing’ tab and enable both the options to share Internet. (Note: Unless there is another enabled LAN setting you will not be able to see the shared tab under properties)

Click Ok and close. This option is given by the Windows OS known as ICS (Internet Connection Sharing).

Now you can use Internet from both Computer A and Computer B from a single connection.

So this is the setup you need on the Host computer as you requested, if you turn out to need help witht he XP one too, let me know:)