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If you don't have your computers connected together into a network,
you'd better start here for
a cable modem/DSL/broadband connection or here
for a dialup connection. Come back here when you get to
the Choose Sharing Method
page by choosing the Use ICS option.
Before you can install ICS, you first need to install Win98
SE, because ICS is part of the operating system.
NOTE!
You need to install Win SE only on the computer that you want
to install ICS on. The other computers on your network
do not need to be upgraded to Win98 SE, and can run on
any operating system, as long as it supports the TCP/IP protocol.
WARNING #1! If you already
have another sharing application like Sygate or Wingate installed,
UNINSTALL IT before installing ICS. Some sharing
programs (ICS included) take control of one or more of your Network
adapters and/or Protocols. The last thing you need is a
fight among these programs for control of your Network!
WARNING #2! If any of your
client computers are set to "Obtain an IP address automatically"
(from a DHCP server), SHUT DOWN those computers before
you install ICS.
The reason for this is to make sure that the IP information assigned
by the old DHCP server doesn't interfere with the information
assigned by the ICS DHCP server.
If you do get conflicts, you'll probably get a popup message
on the two machines that are conflicting. Reboot BOTH
machines that are conflicting and you should be all set.
WARNING #2a! Some users
report better results by setting all NICs (including the second
NIC in the computer that you are installing ICS on) to "Obtain
an IP address automatically". My install worked
with a manually assigned IP address in the second NIC, but setting
all NICs to "Obtain an IP address automatically"
gives ICS maximum flexibility in setting itself up.
WARNING #3! If you're going
to share a broadband connection with ICS, you'll need two Network
Adapters in the computer that you install ICS on. (The ICS
installer will check for the proper network configuration and
won't let the install proceed if it's incorrect.)
Tip:
With the many alternatives in Network adapters and broadband
"modems" today, the "two Network Adapters"
requirement can be a little confusing. See this
page for help!
Tip:If your computer has USB ports, you can use a USB
to Ethernet adapter to easily add a second NIC. Check
this page
for more information.
WARNING #4! Install ICS
only on the computer that is connected directly to the Internet.
This will be the computer that is connected to your cable, DSL
or dialup modem.
Let's
get started with your ICS installation!
Follow the steps below to install ICS.
After you install WIN98SE, go to Start
> Settings > Control Panels > Add/Remove
Programs.
Click on the Windows Setup tab,
let Windows find the installed components.
Double click on the Internet Tools
icon, check the Internet Connection Sharing
box and click OK to close the Internet Tools
window and OK to close the Add/Remove
Programs window.
ICS will install and then launch its setup
wizard.
Make sure you select the correct choice for your setup.
In this example, I'm setting up for a cable modem connection
This window asks you to select a Network adapter.
Be sure you choose the Network adapter (NIC) that
provides your Internet connection. If
you don't choose the correct NIC, ICS won't install correctly
and you'll probably have to remove and reinstall it and
try again. (In my case, things got so confused that
I had to reinstall WIN98SE to get things straightened
out!)
You can also see the benefit to having two different
NICs. In the example below, you see that the Wizard
nicely numbers the NICs #1 and #2, but there's no clue
as to which is connected to the cable modem and which
is connected to your LAN. You have to guess, and
if you guess wrong, you get to go through the whole process
over again!
In my opinion, you can skip this next step. Just
make sure your browser is set to connect directly to the
Internet or via a LAN.
The next window will just finish the installation.
Click Finish and let the system reboot.
NOTE!
You need to install Win SE only on the computer that you want
to install ICS on. The other computers on your network
do not need to be upgraded to Win98 SE, and can run on
any operating system, as long as it supports the TCP/IP protocol.
Tip:
With the many alternatives in Network adapters and broadband
"modems" today, the "two Network Adapters"
requirement can be a little confusing. See 
