How to set up a Wireless connection without ICS  

Also note that the following screenshots and instructions are for Windows XP SP2, though the instructions should be simliar for any version of Windows XP.

<h2>Implementation</h2> Firstly you need to make sure that the two computers have their wireless cards installed, and that they are connected to each other. When they are both connected there should have a small icon visible on the taskbar like so: <img src="http://www.rustyspigot.com/img/windows/wireless_icon.png">
If they dont seem to be connected to each other then see the troubleshooting section below.

<h3>Setting up the server</h3> Instead of using Windows built in ICS, you can set up a proxy server manually on the server. To do this we're going to use a proxy server called "FreeProxy" - you can download it for free here or here.

Install FreeProxy then choose "Free Proxy Control Centre" from the start menu. Once FreeProxy is running click the ports option, then fill in the protocol as "HTTP Proxy", any name and the local binding as "Wireless" (you may wish to save setting the local binding until later to make sure the connection works). You should also select "Any Ip Address"
<img src="http://www.rustyspigot.com/img/windows/freeproxy.png">
Now click "Done" then Start/Stop. Now press start for Console Mode to test whats happening, and Start under service mode so the service shold run automatically.

<h3>Assigning IPs Manually</h3> Whilst technically you dont have to manually assign IP addresses to get this to work , unless you set them for both computers the Wireless connection may be unreliable. To do so:

Open up "Network Connections" either from the start menu (As below) or from the control panel.
<img src="http://www.rustyspigot.com/img/windows/start_connections.png">

Click internet TCP/IP then properties.
<img src="http://www.rustyspigot.com/img/windows/wireles_connection_properties.png">

You can choose the IP you want, though the IP range 169.x.x.x is reserved for local networks, and the IPs should be unique. For example, choose 169.254.1.1 for the server and 169.254.1.2 for the client. If you are also using ICS (internet connection sharing) then you should select something in the range 192.168.x.x

<h3>Setting the proxy</h3> Now you need to tell Internet Explorer/Firefox to use the proxy server. Set the ip as the of the server pc, and the port as 8080 (unless you set it differently). To do this:

<img src="http://www.rustyspigot.com/img/windows/firefox_settings.png">

<h2>Troubleshooting</h2>

<h3>Checking the connection using ping</h3> If you want, you can check that the connection between the two computers is now working using the ping command.

<img src="http://www.rustyspigot.com/img/windows/ping.png">

<h3>Checking and repairing the connection</h3> Open up the wireless connection, either by double clicking the wireless icon on the bottom right of the taskbar, or by going to "Network Connections" (on the start menu/ under My Computer) then double clicking.
You should be presented with something like the image below:
<img src="http://www.rustyspigot.com/img/windows/wireless_status.png">
If the amount of bytes received is zero then there is a problem. Try moving the two computers closer together, and make sure that you have manually set the ips (see above).
Click support, and the following should come up:
<img src="http://www.rustyspigot.com/img/windows/wireless_repair.png">
The ip should be visisble, and there is a repair button. Clicking it can solve some problems.

<h3>Creating a wireless connection</h3> If the above dont seem to work then the wireless connection may not be set up correctly. See step 4 on the tutorial here for more information. Essentially, you can either create a new connection through the built in windows software of the software that came with your wireless card. Create a wireless connection on one computer, and connect to it on the other. Try without using encryption to get the connection working, then go back and enable it once it is.

<h3>Firewalls</h3>Firewalls can get in the way of proxy servers. If you are having trouble try turning them off whilst setting up the network, then re-enabling them once it is working.
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