# Internet Sharing Problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 19, 2008, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-sharing-problem/457068 "2008-07-19T18:44:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Call_Me_Shirley)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2008, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-sharing-problem/457068/1 "2008-07-19T18:44:39Z")
I have a wireless network set up between my desktop and laptop. I have it set so the laptop can share the desktop’s internet connection. The problem is that I can only use one at a time- if the network is connected, I can get to the internet on the laptop, but not the desktop. If I disconnect the network, the desktop internet magically starts working again. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2008, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-sharing-problem/457068/2 "2008-07-19T19:17:19Z")
[QUOTE=Don’t Call Me Shirley] I have a wireless network set up between my desktop and laptop. I have it set so the laptop can share the desktop’s internet connection. [/QUOTE] How are the laptop and desktop communicating? Are you using a wireless router? If so, you don’t need to share the desktop’s internet connection; the router will do that for you. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Call_Me_Shirley)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2008, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-sharing-problem/457068/3 "2008-07-19T19:39:26Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] How are the laptop and desktop communicating? Are you using a wireless router? If so, you don’t need to share the desktop’s internet connection; the router will do that for you. [/QUOTE] No router, it’s a direct peer-to-peer connection.