Prevent cab from connecting to internet.

[DaOld Man]

Ok, Im not real sure if this is the correct forum to post this but..
I plan to put a wireless network card in the build Im doing for my granddaughter "A Little Rage", so my son can go in on his network from his PC and edit games, etc on the cab.
But I want to kill internet access from the cab, so I dont have to worry about viruses, etc.
Is the best way through network connections in control panel, or is it through the wireless router? (Instructions please).
And will this insure no viruses get through to the cab?
The cab will be using win XP Pro.
Thanks.

[jammin0]

If the network has a password it is as easy as not clicking the box that says to automatically connect.  When you need it you just click on the network connection that is available and enter the password.  Alternatively you could disable the Network card in the device manager and then just enable it when you want access.  I wouldn't do it at the router.

[Le Chuck]

It's all in how you connect the cab to the home network.  Rather than stick it right on the same network that you get internet from I'd put the cab on a separate ad hoc network that doesn't have internet access. 

http://www.labnol.org/software/ad-hoc-wireless-network-in-windows-xp/11486/ - this is a pretty easy step by step, just ignore the internet part and have the host computer be the one without an internet connection.

other links:
http://www.home-network-help.com/ad-hoc-wireless-network.html
http://www.trainsignal.com/blog/windows-7-ad-hoc-network-configuration

That way when you need to do data transfer or admin adjustments your son can connect to a dedicated network running from the cab and make changes.  As long as your son as good medicine on his home computer then the cab should be safe from any bugs. 

[dgame]

Check your router for 'access restrictions', 'parental controls' or something similar.
Should be pretty easy to add the MAC address of the client (arcade pc) and disable the Internet Access through most modern Internet  routers.
What router do you have?

[DaOld Man]

Thanks guys.
dgame: Im not sure what router my son has. They live 75 miles from me, but I will find out next time I talk to him.
In the meantime, I will read up on Le Chucks links.

[mystic96]

I'm saying this in a matter-of-fact way, but I assume you'll need to find a friend who lives local or is willing to talk you through this over the phone. It is easy enough, but if you don't know what you're doing then it could ruin your day.

Your computer is pulling an IP address from your router via a service called DHCP. What you want to do is change the wireless card from a dynamic/DHCP address to a static address. Once you have done this, you can remove the default gateway... this is the IP address of your router and, without it, your computer will not be able to communicate with anything that is outside of your local network (ie, the interwebs).

[DaOld Man]

Thanks Mystic96, I think this is what i need.