1. " the internet becomes available on the notebook only after browsing the web or checking the e-mail on the dekstop. Why is this happening? "
You configured it to connect on demand. Go check your settings. I don't setup your setup anymore, but use a router so I don't know where the issue may be.
2. " how can I transfer large amount of data between the two computer using LAN? "
Since you have a network, sharing folders is typical. Sharing drives is just sharing the "root" of a drive letter in Windows and doesn't mean you share the drive. Hope you understand the subtle difference.
bob
Hi,
I have recently bought a new laptop and connected it to my desktop computer with a crossover Ethernet cable. The desktop has another NIC which connects to a cable modem. I shared this internet connection using XP's internet connection sharing.
My first question is connected to this matter. I understand that I have to turn the desktop on to access the internet from the notebook, what concerns me is that the internet becomes available on the notebook only after browsing the web or checking the e-mail on the dekstop. Why is this happening? I use Windows XP on both computers and Sysgate Firewall on the desktop.
The second question is: how can I transfer large amount of data between the two computer using LAN? Because the laptop is new, I have to install a great amount of software and copy many documents from the desktop to the laptop. Sharing folders and drives would be the best solution?

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