Operating System, but Windows 98 comes to mind, and as such I would look for updated drivers for your NIC along with any updates to that OS.
Next I would sweep the machine with the usual bug removal tools and finally try another network card.
I am using 2 NIC cards and a direct connection with no router or hub. Both computers have modems.
The problem is when the device driver "NDIS.VXD" tries to load the driver (for ICS) ICSHARE.VXD, the device refuses to load. (This information comes from the bootlog). I also have the horrible little yellow exclamation point in the device manager (computer/network adapters/internet connection sharing). I can load a new driver for the ICS adapter in "device manager" all day long (also tried icshare.inf fix from microsoft), but the yellow exclamation point never dies. And the device still refuses to load. I am 90% sure that nothing is wrong with NDIS.VXD, but I am at a loss as how to force something to load or update the ICS setup completely.
Yes, I've tried to uninstall and reinstall using add/remove programs. Several times, with the client disconnected from the host and connected.
I have spent 2 days trying to get this darn network up and running. I'm soooo tired now. Please HELP!!!!
Randi

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