Windows 7 ICS not working

[tagordon]

Installed W7 on two laptops and created ad hoc network with Internet sharing enabled. Worked for a few days then stopped. Have tried to set it up again several times to no avail. Any ideas short of a clean install of W7? The host is connecting to the internet via an Option 3G Ultra Expresscard usng AT&T 3G.
Originally both showed ad hoc as Home then changed to Public Unidentified.
After much exploring found double clicking the net in Manage Wireless Networks, I changed the Security back and forth from secure to open. Then was able to change the net type to Work/Home.
TIA
Troy

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like you are facing connectivity issues with the ad hoc network on Windows 7 after it initially worked. Here are a few troubleshooting steps you can try before resorting to a clean install of Windows 7:

Troubleshooting Steps:​

1. Reconfigure Network Settings:
   • Go to "Network and Sharing Center" and ensure that the ad hoc network is set as a "Home" or "Work" network and not as a "Public" network. Public networks often have more restrictive settings.
   • Check the sharing settings to confirm that the Internet connection is being shared correctly.
   []Reset Network and Check Services:
   • Reset the network adapter settings by disabling and re-enabling the network adapter.
   • Check if the necessary networking services like "Network Location Awareness" and "Network List Service" are running. You can do this by typing services.msc in the "Run" dialog (Windows key + R).
   []Update Network Adapter Drivers:
   • Ensure that the network adapter drivers on both laptops are up to date. Outdated drivers can sometimes cause connectivity issues.
   []Check Firewall Settings:
   • Verify that the firewall settings are not blocking the ad hoc network connections. Temporarily disable the firewall to check if it is causing the issue.
   []Check Network Security Protocols:
   • Make sure that the security protocols (WEP, WPA, etc.) on the ad hoc network are correctly configured and match between both laptops.
   []Verify Option 3G Ultra Expresscard Connection:
   • Ensure that the host laptop connected through the Option 3G Ultra Expresscard has a stable and active connection to the AT&T 3G network.
   []Network Troubleshooter:
   • Use the built-in Network Troubleshooter in Windows 7 to diagnose and fix common network-related problems.
2. Check for Interference:
   • Look for any possible interferences like other wireless devices or signal disruptions that might affect the ad hoc network connectivity.

     Additional Tips:​

     • You can also try deleting and recreating the ad hoc network settings from scratch to see if that resolves the issue.
     • Make sure the SSID and password for the ad hoc network are correctly entered on both laptops.
     These steps should help in resolving the issue without the need for a clean install of Windows 7. If the issue persists, you may consider further troubleshooting or seeking professional assistance.