Internet sharing I have a dell with windows XP that I have a wireless ATT card for the internet and I would like to be able to access the internet with my other dell that is running windows Vista but can't figure out how

Hi,
How to configure wireless access point using a laptop
Wireless technology makes connecting to the Internet possible from anywhere within the range of the network. Unfortunately, not all Internet-capable devices have wireless technology, and many still require an Ethernet port connection. If you have a laptop with a wireless card and an Internet connection, you can make the laptop a wireless access point and share that connection with other devices, whether your laptop runs a Windows or OSX operating system. Windows computers allow other devices to access the wireless network via a physical connection to the laptop, while OSX computers allow AirPort equipped devices to connect as well, creating a second wireless bubble for the network.

Instruction:
WINDOWS
1 Turn on the laptop and the device with which you will share the connection. Ensure the laptop's wireless card is turned on and you have an Internet connection.

2 Connect an Ethernet cord to the port on the laptop, and the other end to the receiving device. You need to make the connection first, or you will not be able to access the sharing options for the connection.

3 Open the list of network connections on the computer. In Windows 7 and Vista, access this list by typing "Network Connections" into the Start menu search bar and pressing "Enter." In Windows XP, click on "Network Connections" in the Network and Sharing Center section of the Control Panel.

4 Right click on the wireless connection and select "Properties," then navigate to the Sharing tab. This tab will not appear unless both devices are connected.

5 Check the box marked "Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection." Click "OK" to save the changes.
OSX
1 Click on the Apple menu and select "System Preferences." Click the "Sharing" option, then choose "Internet Sharing."

2 Select the Airport and wireless network in the "Share your connection from:" drop-down menu.

3 Select an output format for the connection in the "To computers using:" drop-down menu. Choose "Ethernet" for a physical connection or "AirPort" for wireless broadcasting.

4 Turn on the device you wish to receive the connection. Connect the devices with an Ethernet cable, or turn on the receiving device's AirPort card and connect wirelessly.

hi

go to this link, review
What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins6400/en/om/network.htm#wp1052373

1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
   
   
2. Double-click Network Connections.
   
   
3. Right-click the Wireless Network Connection icon, and then click View Available Wireless Networks.
   
   

If the Choose a wireless network window states Windows cannot configure this connection, the wireless network card's configuration utility is managing the wireless network card.
If the Choose a wireless network window states Click an item in the list below to connect to a wireless network in range or to get more information, the Windows XP operating system is managing the wireless network card.

Windows XP Professional System Requirements Published: August 24, 2001 Here's What You Need to Use Windows XP Professional • PC with 300 megahertz or higher processor clock speed recommended; 233 MHz minimum required (single or dual processor system);* Intel Pentium/Celeron family, or AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family, or compatible processor recommended
• 128 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher recommended (64 MB minimum supported; may limit performance and some features)
• 1.5 gigabytes (GB) of available hard disk space*
• Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution video adapter and monitor
• CD-ROM or DVD drive
• Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device
Top of page Additional Items or Services Required to Use Certain Windows XP Features • For Internet access:
• Some Internet functionality may require Internet access, a Microsoft .NET Passport account, and payment of a separate fee to a service provider; local and/or long-distance telephone toll charges may apply
• 14.4 kilobits per second (Kbps) or higher-speed modem
• For networking:
• Network adapter appropriate for the type of local-area, wide-area, wireless, or home network you wish to connect to, and access to an appropriate network infrastructure; access to third-party networks may require additional charges
• For instant messaging, voice and videoconferencing, and application sharing, both parties need:
• Microsoft .NET Passport account and Internet access or Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server instant messaging account and network access (some configurations may require download of additional components)
• For voice and videoconferencing, both parties also need:
• 33.6 Kbps or higher-speed modem, or a network connection
• Microphone and sound card with speakers or headset
• For videoconferencing, both parties also need:
• Video conferencing camera
• Windows XP
• For application sharing, both parties also need:
• 33.6 Kbps or higher-speed modem, or a network connection
• Windows XP
• For remote assistance:
• Both parties must be running Windows XP and be connected by a network
• For remote desktop:
• A Windows 95 or later-based computer, and the two machines must be connected by a network
• For sound:
• Sound card and speakers or headphones
• For DVD video playback:
• DVD drive and DVD decoder card or DVD decoder software
• 8 MB of video RAM
• For Windows Movie Maker:
• Video capture feature requires appropriate digital or analog video capture device
• 400 MHz or higher processor for digital video camera capture

Windows Settings allow you to share your internet connections providing you have 2 network connections IE: 2 X Ethernet cards 1 X Ethernet Card 1 X Wireless Card. Then on the computer you want to "share" the internet on click on control panel /Network then right click on the card that is connected to the internet you want to share. got to Properties then advance . Tick the box "Allow network users to connect through this computers internet connection" Reboot that PC and any pc connected to that PC either by network cable or wireless will be able to use the internet

Try updating your Vista installation to service pack 2 here. This tends to fix a lot of problems in Vista.

Go some where that you know there is an active and working Wireless Access Point. The closest Starbucks will show up as Att-Wifi and then when you go online you get the Att login page. The internet won't work unless you have a login. You could go to McDonalds now, since their wifi is free now.

On the desktop machine - go to the printers folder, right click the icon for the Laserjet and choose sharing (enable print sharing). You should be able to name the printer and make it accessible to anyone within the workgroup. If needed you can run the network setup wizard to change the workgroup names on both machines.

On the laptop go to add new printer and choose network printer, you should be able to browse to the desktop machine by name and choose the Laserjet as a printer (whether you want it to be the default is up to you). The laptop will download and install the drivers from the desktop pc to the laptop and set the correct network path automatically.

It goes without saying that the desktop machine must be on in order to print from the laptop in this scenario.

Did you input the WEP key? I will assume you are using Windows XP. So go to control panel, network connections and then go to the wireless connection and then select view wireless connections double click on the one with the highest strength, which should be your 2wire. When it asks for the network security key type in the numbers that are located on the sticker on the bottom of your router between the [########] brackets.

So u can connect to the router, but you arent allowet to access the internet?
The router gave your dell a new ip-number, but it dident gave you access to the net. You ned to do the settings in your router manual, let the router give your dell full access.

Good luck

Disable any firewalls on the machine like Windows firewall or any other firewall like Norton, McAfe, ZoneAlarm and something like that. Or if you have firewall policies or access rules, you must enable the sharing there.