IP settings keep changing!?!?

I have a two pc LAN. Both pcs run XP home. They are connected through a hub. PC1 has static IP, Black Ice Firewall and is connected to a DSL modem. PC2 has static IP, no firewall, and connects to the internet with ICS to PC1. Black Ice is configured to trust PC2.

The problem is with PC2. Every couple days the TCP/IP settings on the Local Area Connection to the network changes back to obtain automatically (DHCP) and it loses all connections to the network and internet. I change the settings back, reboot, and the network connections come back.

IP settings on PC2:
192.168.1.15
255.255.255.0
Gateway 192.168.1.10 (PC1)

DNS settings the same as PC1

Anyone heard of this before? I can't find anything on it on the internet. I have tried to set both pcs to DHCP and that allows the pcs to shre drives and printers, but still denies PC2 internet access. Not to mention that everytime PC2 is rebooted the firewall has to be programmed to trust the new IP. DHCP is not the desired state.

 

IP settings on PC2:
192.168.1.15
255.255.255.0
Gateway 192.168.1.10 (PC1)

Unless I am thinking wrong those addresses indicate a Router is being used and not a HUB.

The IP addresses on all three of my machines is 198.168.1.1 which is the Router.

If indeed a Router is set up and DHCP server is enabled, all auto settings should work.

But using ICS may work differently. I don't, never have and won't use ICS. Each machine can connect all by itself whether any of the others are on or not.

And as far as I know and from my experince If a Router is being used ICS is not needed.

Also I am not sure that ICS is needed with a HUB. But at the same time with a HUB each machine needs to have it own ISP address. THat is why I went to a Router so that I only needed one IP address istead of three.

BillyBob

 

My understanding is that two pcs can share a broadband connection one of two ways:

1. A router is connected to the network and the modem is connected to the router

2. The pcs run an internet connection sharing software to share one pcs internet connection accross the network.


I set the gateway to the IP of the ICS host and the pc that has the DSL modem connected..

 

PS. I chose IPs above 192.168.1.XX because there is a wireless access point attached to the network hub. The Access Point is 192.168.1.1 and "likes" to have the other pcs on the network with IPs higher than itself. Just like a router, but a router is not involved.

 

Out of my leaque now. I have not had to bother with these things.

98 and now XP and the Router have done it for me.

BillyBob