Networking ICS and monitoring

I have a laptop (Win98, Portgear Ethernet adapter on USB port)
connected to a desktop (WinXP, Realtec Ethernet adapter, 56k PCI
modem) through a router. There was another older desktop
connected but it bit the dust. The network seems to be working
fine, and I can connect to the internet on both machines, but the
little icons that showed me the connections on the laptop have
disappeared.

When I enter the setup on the Win 98 machine, the option to
display connection status is not available. Instead, in the same
area it gives a description of what is selected above. The
option is available and selected on the Winxp desktop. I also
have the options for connection sharing and being able to control
the connection remotely enabled.

I sometimes disconnect the laptop and use it independently and it
takes awhile to get things back to working order when
reconnecting to network.

I want to be able to view the connection status on the Win98
machine for both the Ethernet and internet connection. Is there
something about how my networking is set up that is preventing
this? It was available initially, but then disappeared a few
months ago.

I have also disabled the network connection to the AIW video card
cable connection as it's just TV - can't afford cable internet.

If I need to give additional information, will someone tell me
what and where to find it?

Any and all help appreciated.
Sara




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