OLEXP: Using Outlook Express over Internet Connection Sharing

Outlook Express installed on an Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) client (downstream) computer will not automatically disconnect the Host computer from the Internet Service Provider (ISP) after checking for new mail.

This is by design and can occur if there is any network activity between the ICS host and the Internet Service Provider (ISP).

The following list provides some examples of network activity that could cause this issue:

• DNS queries.
• Critical Update Notification for Windows Update.
• Product Registrations.
• Updating Subscriptions or other online Content.

ICS defaults to Disconnect after 5 minutes or to the Internet Explorer Disconnect if Idle setting, depending on which is shorter.

To change the Internet Explorer "Disconnect if Idle" setting:

1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Internet.
2. Click the Connection tab.
3. Select a connection in the Dial-Up Settings window. For example, My Connection.
4. Click Settings, and in the third section entitled Dial-Up Settings of the My Connection Settings, click Advanced.

To change the setting in Outlook Express:

1. Open Microsoft Outlook Express.
2. On the Tools menu, click Options.
3. Click Connections, and then click Change to get to the same screen displayed in Internet Explorer.

To determine what activity is using the ICS host, view the contents of the Icslog.txt file. To do this:

1. On the ICS host computer, click Start, Find, and then click Files Or Folders.
2. In the Named box, type icslog.*, and then click Find Now.
3. Double-click the Icslog.txt file to open it in Notepad.

The Icslog.txt file contains all the ICS network activity since the last time you started the computer.

When you restart the computer, the Icslog.txt file is renamed to Icslog.old and a new Icslog.txt file is created.

The following text is an example of what might be contained in an Icslog.txt file:
The Icslog.txt file is useful for connections such as ISDN or analog phones that use Dial-Up Networking. For connections such as DSL or Cable Modems that use a network adapter, the contents of the Icslog.txt file show only that the Internet Connection Sharing driver is running.