Boot time delay on client computer

[Lemon law]

I have a two computer lan with a dial up internet connection. Topolgy is very simple.
Two XP computers--each with an on motherboard net work interface card--connected by a cross over cable
using microsoft internet connection sharing. Which means one computer is the host and the other is the client computer.
The host computer boots fairly fast regardless of the on or off state of the client computer. The client computer boots to the desktop fairly fast regardless of
the on or off state of the host computer---but once at the desktop----there is a huge difference---if the host computer is turned off the desktop icons
follow the to desktop boot with a very small time lag---if the host computer is turned on---there is about a minute lag between reaching the desktop and having the icons
come up---signaling that the host computer is ready to go.

Is there some way I can reduce that time lag when the the host computer is on?---and hopefully by software settings---I don't want to buy an un-needed router.--and both computers are protected with a software firewall.---sygate 5.5 build 2710.

 

[DaiShan]

What is the DNS set to on the client? If you are using DHCP you can see your DNS settings by typing at the command prompt ipconfig /all

 

[Lemon law]

To DaiShah,

Thank you for the prompt reply---and I can execute the the ipconfig /all commmand on either PC---but beyond that I am unsure what you want in that data.
But the client computer is set to a static address of 192.168.0.194---a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 and a default gateway of 192.168.0.1---and I prefer a static ip address
for the client for a few valid reasons/

The host computer has a subnet mask of 255.255.255.255 and has an address of 192.168.0.1------dhcp shows no in each computer---and the network functions well once the slow boot occurs---also forgot--netbios over tcpip also shows no on each computer.---the host computer is running win xp home---the client is running xp pro.

Is that what you need?---if not please advice---and I will take it from there.--again thanks for the prompt reply.

But one request---you are now pushing what I know about networking---if you want me to make changes--please do it step by slow step---if you assume I am a total idiot in this area
you will probably be correct.---and you can lose me really quick if you go too fast.

 

[nweaver]

first things first, change the host PC's netmask to 255.255.255.0

 

[Lemon law]

Sorry---nweaver & Dai Shah---I am in slight error in my previous post---the subnet mask between the host and client computer is 255.255.255.0 on the host computer-----but is 255.255.255.255 on the host computer out to my dial up ISP. Sorry for the confusion on my part.