I'm setting up ICS ... I have one ethernet adapter connected to my cable modem, and a second to my home networking hub. I can select my location for the first ("Network"): I assume thisshould be"Public network". And I'd like the second adapter ("Unidentified network")to be "Home network", butitappears "hard wired" to "Public" (even if I change the first to "Home"). On the "Network and sharing centre" (I wish I could attach a screenshot!) "Network" has a blue tag "Public network" that I can click to change the location, but "Unidentified network" has a black tag "Pulic network" which I can't click.If I go to "See also: Homegroup" it says "the homegroup is not available becaus you're not conected to the home network".But the other computers (XP) in my home network can all access the internet via this Win7 PC.I've reinstalled Win7 - made no difference.So does anyone knowwhat's the magic incantation I require?It's an Asus A7N8X-E motherboard with2 onboard ethernet ports+ Athlon XP2200+ processorThanks for any help!

Those modes (Public Network, Home Network)are basically firewall presets. Home Group is a feature introduced with windows 7 it will not work on XP. You will use the old Workgroup configuration to setup file sharing (the same as file sharing from XP to XP PC). Home group is basically service to make home networking simplified. If you can acces the internet through the other computers,ICS isworking properly.

Sure, I understand all that ... but how do I get Win7 RC to change the mode on the adapter that's connecting up my home network? It ought to be as simple as clicking on the network and selecting the mode ... but there's nothing I can click on! ICS is only one aspect ... I also want to be able to do file & printer sharing to / from the Win7 PC. Cheers!

I had no issues sharing a printer. Just need to connect the printer when you install the driver, then plug it back in where it was.

You can use the script at http://blogs.msdn.com/dimeby8/archive/2009/06/10/change-unidentified-network-from-public-to-work-in-windows-7.aspxto change the Unidentified network to 'Work' - this will open up your firewall to allow file sharing.

Try this for simplification. Dump the ICS concept. Replace the "hub" with a "true" network switch. Buy a USB print server (assuming you have a USB printer). Remove the 2nd network adaptor from the Win7 PC. Now connect all devices (PC, print server, cable modem) to the switch. Better yet, buy a wireless switch so that you can easily make wireless connection with your devices. Then it won't matter how many CAT5 ports are in the switch. The Win7 PC should be configured for Home/Private network in order to work (share)with XP PCs on your netwrk, if any. Turn off Win7's "Homegroup" services. If you do the print server, configure a Standard TCP/IP print port for all PCs on the network along with installing the printer driver. This port this the connection to the print server. All this might seem complicated but once it's setup, it's will be easier to maintain and manage.