ok, computer that connects to the internet is running windows XP, that connects to the linux computer running mandrake 9.0 with a crossover cable, network card to nework card.

i enabled ICS in XP but i am not getting anthing on the linux box

the linux box has a netgear fa311 network card that (i think) is working correctly

the XP box works fine, it says its connected, but its not sending or recieving any packets

ive been trying to get this working for three days, its driving me nuts

how can i:
1. check to see if my network card is working right
2. if it is, get ICS to work
3. if its not, how could i get it to work

sorry if this has been answered before, i couldnt find anything with the search

Are the PCs networked OK? ie - can they ping each other?

Just been down this very same road and found that you need to configure the gateway. By default ICS uses 192.168.0.1 so first of all make sure your network cards do not use this address. I manually configured mine. Then on your Linux machine (Control Centre > Network - go int Expert Mode) and congiure the gateway to be 192.168.0.1 and all being well it should work!

i tried pinging the linux box from the xp box, no luck it timed out

i dont know how to ping in linux

Same as in windows:
ping ip.ad.dr.ess

What ip addresses are on the boxes?

Can you post the output of this on windows:
route print
ipconfig

And this on linux(you will need to be root):
ifconfig
route

ok did that, it said network is unreachable

Linux is IP 1.2.3.4
XP is IP 5.6.7.8

subnet mask on both are 255.255.255.0

where do i do this? *edit* nevermind

Is that true? If so - no wonder it aint working! If that is you saying you aren't going to tell me then fine - I'm off to bed

no im being dead serious (im a network noob too ) so what should i change them too?

um, how do i change the IP address in linux?

Make the windows box:
IP = 192.168.1.1
netmask = 255.255.255.0

Make the linux box:
IP = 192.168.1.2
netmask = 255.255.255.0
gateway = 192.168.1.1

That should eb all you need to do. You will need to restart the network services on windows and linux after the changes.

Also - the DNS settings on linux should be the ones assigned to your xp box by your ISP.

You can see them by running:
ipconfig /all

how do i change the ip addresses in linux?

In Mandrake the there is a Tool called netconf.
1) Run "netconf".
2) Click on "Hostname and IP network devices".
3) Click on "Adaptor 1" then enter your network details.
4) Click "Accept" then "Routing and Gateways"
5) Click "Defaults" then enter then IP of your xp machine
6) Accept the changes and click "Do it"
7) Restart the network service "service network restart"

where do i run netconf?

logged in as root

i tried it in console, it says command not found

i tried it in the run on the main menu on KDE, i says could not run the specified command

Try pressing "Ctrl + Alt + F1" then login as root and run:
netconf

Then press "Ctrl + Alt + F7" to get back to the GUI.

nope it still says command not found