I stumble a bit while trying to share my Windows Vista internet connection with a Windows XP machine. I did this steps:

• set the ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) on the Windows Vista machine and
• set the Windows XP machine to connect to the net through the Windows Vista machine.

Everything was fine and the Internet Gateway icon showed up on Windows XP network connection. Except that the Windows XP machine still can’t connect to the net. What to do?

Troubleshooting

The solution turns out to be simple. We only need to do this steps on Windows Vista:

1) Disable the internet connection sharing, if it’s already enabled. Don’t forget to enable the automatic IP address assignment.

2) Open Control Panel / Network and Internet / Network and Sharing Center.

Click Manage network connections on the left taskbar.

Select both LAN connection and internet connection. Right click and select Bridge Connections.

Wait a bit…

…until the bridge is enabled.

3) Right click on the Network Bridge icon and select Properties. Click Continue on the UAC dialog. On the Adapters box, uncheck the internet connection. Click OK.

4) Back on Network Connections window, right click on the internet connection icon, and select Properties. Click Continue on the UAC dialog. Select the Sharing tab and check both checkboxes. Click OK.

The end result should be like this:

It’s done. Wait a minute and both Windows Vista and Windows XP machines should be able to connect to the net. If this is not the case, just restart both machines.

Can Ubuntu use Windows Vista ICS?

In my case, no problem. My Ubuntu 7.04 installation can connect to the net through Windows Vista ICS. I don’t even need to set up anything on the Ubuntu machine.

Windows Vista is a vast improvement over Windows XP, in terms of visual appeal, user interface and security. But Windows Vista also has many problems. After using Windows Vista for a while, I can list a couple of things I like and dislike about Windows Vista.

Things I like about Windows Vista:

1) Better user interface on Windows Vista’s Explorer. New buttons bring formerly obscure features to the front. Much easier and integrated Search feature (no more need for Ctrl+F), new view types (Large Icons and Extra Large Icons) for image browsing and easier to navigate Address bar.

The new integrated Search feature inside Explorer.

2) Much faster directory display on Windows Explorer, especially on directories with more than 5,000 files or subdirectories. Try to display a directory with 6,838 files on Windows XP 32 bit.

Displaying 6,838 files takes no time.

3) Easier to navigate Start Menu, thanks to the integrated Search feature. Extremely handy if you have installed way too many applications.

Easier to navigate Start Menu, thanks to the integrated Search feature.

Things I dislike about Windows Vista:

1) Lack of driver supports. The first time I installed Windows Vista, I had no sound! The printer driver doesn’t work. Nor does the drivers for my Bluetooth dongle, Phillips Pinnacle PCTV Stereo and dirt-cheap Chinese-made webcam. Luckily the driver for my USB ADSL modem works. Otherwise I won’t be able to connect to the internet. The audio problem has also been solved, thanks to the latest update from Microsoft. I still can’t print, though.

2) Lack of software compatibilities. Software that runs just fine on Windows XP, doesn’t run at all on Windows Vista. I have an application that actually crashes Windows Vista and forces me to restart in Safe Mode to uninstall it. This has led me to search for Vista-ready updates, and if there is none I have to replace it with other Vista-ready applications.

3) Extremely cautious dialogs. Window Vista doesn’t trust me and need to remind me for almost every action I am about to take. Thankfully the default response can be set to be less extreme.

Conclusion: I like Windows Vista, but I also need my PC for work and I need to use all the devices inside. Its lack of driver supports doesn’t bide well for this. Perhaps I should reconsider Windows XP?

Update: Google lists this page in 6 minutes. Wow!