Networking Linux to Windows XP
 

Hi ... a real newbie here!

I have constructed a computer from three old computers - giving me a Pentium III 700 MHz machine with 256 MB RAM, two 3 GB Hard Drives, a CD Rom, NIC, and Modem. I've loaded Fedora Core I on it. After loading the Linux system I added a router to my Windows XP system and ran the Networking Wizard to set it up. My Windows system seems to run fine (except it occasionally says there is no (Internet) connection available and then connects on retry). I try to see if any other computers are attached but it says I don't have permission?
Initially I could not connect (to the Internet) on the Linux machine, but after a long confusing bout of trying everything I could find I ran dhclient which seemed to get me connected. Why can't I get an IP address from the DHCP server on bootup? All the script files I look at seem to be correct. There is a failed item on boot that says unable to contact client but I'm not sure that is what it is. I tried booting the machine with Knoppix on CDRom and the Internet connection is there right away! But I can't seem to find the differences in the Fedora and Knoppix setups ... it's just beyond me!
Another problem is printing. I want to access the printers that are attached to my Windows system. When I go throught the add printer program it asks me for the computer name, workgroup, something to do with share, and a login and password. I can't seem to get past the login. It suggests that "guest" would be the word but that doesn't work. Is there some way to find out what the password/login is? I don't use them in Windows!
Any suggestions appreciated!!! I'm trying hard to understand everything that is going on, but the explanations seem to start basic and (too) quickly move into technical areas I don't understand.

Actually you'll probably get more answers in the networking forum so I asked if a mod will move it there.

Can you get the error message you get on boot. You can set a client to run dhcp on boot but if you don't know the error message exactly I can't say if it's already done and just not working or if it's not been set. In your interfaces file (locations change per distro, but for me it's in /etc/network) there has to be a part for your ethernet interface which has the option dhcp on.

Moved as noted.