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THE INTERNET CONNECTION SHARING FEATURE in Windows 98 Second Edition (Win98 SE) is a set of advanced home networking technologies that will enable you to configure multiple computers to use the same modem, the same phone line, and the same Internet Service Provider (ISP) to simultaneously access the Internet. If you already have NICs (Network Interface Cards) installed on your home PCs, you're only minutes away from surfing the 'Net on every PC in your home at the same time.

Here's how it works: When your modem dials your ISP, the ISP assigns your computer an IP address. This is a unique number that acts like a ticket that identifies your computer and allows it to access and communicate with other computers on the Internet. Without this IP address, your computer can't connect to the Internet.

With the Internet Connection Sharing feature of Win98 SE, one computer establishes a connection to the Internet through the ISP and receives a unique IP address. This computer, known as the Connection Sharing computer, then lets the other computers in your home borrow its IP address. When the other computers, called clients, borrow the IP address from the Connection Sharing computer, they can access the Internet over your home network without having a direct connection to the Internet and without having their own IP addresses.

To set up Internet Connection Sharing, each computer must have a network card installed and be connected to the home network. The computer acting as the Connection Sharing computer must already be configured to connect to the Internet through an ISP. The client computers must be running Windows 98 (any version) or Windows 95 (any version) and be using version 3.0 or later of either Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. Each client computer must also have the TCP/IP network protocol installed.

Now you're ready to set up Internet Connection Sharing. Select which computer will act as the Connection Sharing computer on your home network. On this computer, open Control Panel and double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon. Select the Windows Setup tab, then scroll through the Components list to select the Internet Tools component and click the Details button. When you see the Internet Tools dialog box, select the Internet Connection Sharing check box. You may be prompted to insert your Win98 SE CD-ROM for Setup to install the Internet Connection Sharing feature.

Once Setup finishes the installation procedure on your Connection Sharing computer, it launches the Internet Connection Sharing Wizard, which guides you through the process of creating the Client Configuration Disk. You'll use this disk to reconfigure the browsers on the client computers on your home network to communicate with the Connection Sharing computer.

The first screen in the Internet Connection Sharing Wizard is the introductory screen; read over the instructions before you proceed. When you click the Next button, the Internet Connection Sharing Wizard informs you that it's now ready to create the Client Configuration Disk.

When you click Next, you're prompted to label a floppy disk and insert it into your computer's floppy disk drive. When you click OK, the Internet Connection Sharing Wizard creates the Client Configuration Disk. Once the Wizard creates this disk, it prompts you to remove it and click OK. Just click Finish to complete the Wizard. At this point, you'll be prompted to restart your computer.

While your Connection Sharing computer is restarting, you can begin configuring the client computers. Make sure that the TCP/IP settings for the network card are configured correctly. To do this, open Control Panel and double-click on the Network icon. When you see the Network dialog box, scroll through the list of components and select the TCP/IP component that's connected, or bound, directly to your network card.

When you see the TCP/IP Properties dialog box, you need to make sure that the TCP/IP settings are correctly configured. On the IP address tab. Make sure that the Obtain An IP Address Automatically check box is selected. Then, click the WINS Configuration tab and make sure that the Use DHCP For WINS Resolution check box is selected. Next, click the Gateway tab and make sure that the Installed Gateway list box is empty. Now select the DNS Configuration tab, and make sure that the Disable DNS option is selected. Say OK to close the TCP/IP Properties dialog box. You may be required to restart your client computer.

Once you've made sure that your TCP/IP settings are correctly configured on your client computers, run the Browser Connection Setup Wizard on each client computer on your home network. Do this by inserting the Client Configuration Disk into the floppy drive, click START/Run, and type a:\icsclset.exe in the Open text box. Click OK.

You'll see the Browser Connection Setup Wizard's introductory screen, which contains a few instructions that you should read over before you proceed. As the instructions state, make sure that the Connection Sharing computer is already connected to the Internet.

When you click Next, the Wizard will inform you that it will now check and change your browser's connection settings. To continue, simply click Next again. You'll see the final screen in the Browser Connection Setup Wizard. Select the check box to immediately connect to the Internet through the Connection Sharing computer.

Now, click Finish. As soon as you do, the browser on your client computer will launch, connect to the Internet through the Connection Sharing computer, and open your home page. Once you run the Browser Connection Setup Wizard on all the client computers, you can surf the Internet from any computer on your home network.

In the future, just be sure your Connection Sharing computer is powered on. When you attempt to surf the Internet on any client computer, the Connection Sharing computer will automatically begin dialing your ISP--no need to connect it yourself first.

Finally!! A way to solve the modern family feud of two or more family members needing access to the Internet at the same time. Peace in the home once again.