Temporary connection to SBS2008 network domain

Hi all

Quick question...hopefully...

We have a SBS2008 domain, hosted virtually on a Unix box. I need to connect a Win7 Pro laptop to the network, but just temporarily for internet access. I don't specifically need to be able to access documents on the server, but possibly just the printer on the network

When I connect my Apple Macbook to the network, I am prompted for a username and password when opening Safari or Thunderbird. Once I enter this, the internet connection works fine. I can access the printer as well

On the Win7 laptop however, I cant seem to get the internet connection to work in the same way. The laptop does not need to be joined to the domain. I have searched the net and the forum, and tried changing network settings and entering user credentials under the User Account settings, but without any luck. Surely this cant be so difficult?

I have entered the proxy settings in IE as well. This is via a LAN connection. Under network settings, the network is shown as "Unidentified Network".


Any ideas? I'm sure it's just a simple setting somewhere...but where?

on Windows 7 box:
open the "network and sharing center"
under "active networks" click on "unidentified network".
select "work" from the list of "work, home, and public" networks.

now, when you open IE or firefox (and you have the proxy details entered) you will be prompted for a username/password.

Still no luck...

I've set the network as "home" and double checked the proxy settings in IE. Even after a restart, IE still doesnt prompt for the username and password.

Is there maybe some other place where I need to enter the username and password, from where IE will pick up these details?

sure, create an RPC connection to the server

on the client PC, goto command prompt and type:
net use \\server\IPC$ /user:SBS_domain_name\domain_username

& enter the domain user password.

now try IE and firefox.