Sharing Cellular Internet Connection with Ad-Hoc Network

We have several laptops in our house and only one of them can connect with our cellular connection (through a tethered phone) at a time.

The computers in question have all recently been through the process of formatting, installing Windows XP Pro SP3 and updating everything. Running Avira anti virus (free version) and Commodo Firewall (free version as well).

I have never been able to get the two computers to network together unless I go to wireless network connection properties and under the "wireless networks" tab select "advanced" and then "computer to computer (ad-hoc) networks only".

I have to do this for both the computer sharing the cellular connection and the computer that is connecting to the ad-hoc network for the "Set up a home or small office network" setup wizard to allow the computers to set up a successful network.

The problem comes when I decide to connect either of the computers to a different network at work or school. I must allow them to see other networks other than ad-hoc networks. When I come back home and once again set them to see only ad-hoc networks, they no longer share files across the ad-hoc network that I created. They will still connect to the ad-hoc network, but I have to run the "set up a home or small office network" setup wizard again if I want them to be able to share files or internet connections again.

Is there any way that I can make it so they remember that they can share files and internet connections when they are connected to the ad-hoc network that I've created? Thanks

 

Its not a solution to your problem, but an alternative.

You can now get 3G routers, It will mean that you will have to spend a little money, but it will make things far simpler IMO.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. The reason I'm doing it the way I'm doing it is because the way Alltel charges you for data if you're not on a data plan is that they just charge you minutes. Since I have unlimited night and weekend minutes, my wife and I just use school/work internet while we're at school and work and then wait till the weekend or after 9 to use the internet at home. If I bought a router I'd have to buy an aircard and then I'd have to pay for another plan. It would be significantly more than what I'm doing now rather than a one time chunk of change. Thanks for the suggestion anyways.