ICS, Firewall, and PPPoE DSL... can you help?

[LouHall76]

I recently signed up for Ameritech aDSL (w/PPPoE Enternet software - dynamic IP). The modem is SpeedStream 5360. I share this connection with my wife's computer via WinME's built-in Internet Connection Sharing (everything works fine). We use a crossover cable, no hub/router. I can't get firewall software (ZoneAlarm 3) to work with ICS, is there a better way to share my connection? All she does is surf and Battle.net.
My machine: PII 400, 512MB Ram, 2 NIC's, WinME (w/all relevant updates)
Wife's machine: AMD K6-2 450 (100X4.5), 192MB Ram, NIC w/crossover cable, WinME (w/all relevant updates)
If I go with WinXP, it has PPPoE built-in, but I hear XP's firewall sucks.
Help, I have no firewall, I will be a victim sooner or later!
If I have forgotten relevant information to resolve this issue, let me know.
Thanx in advance.

BTW, I recently switched from ZP, and I'll never go back!:no no:

[LO There!]

sorry i have no idea :no no: but will bump it back to the top
hopefully you'll get an ans this time
also try renaming the post to "networking help" it may help
best of luck

[LouHall76]

Thanx LITEORB, any suggestions from my fellow cows?
Please?

MMMMMMMMOOOOOOOOOOO!

[LPDad]

Yep, (sorry it took so long for me to see this)
I have (basically) the same setup-- 1 DSL (ppoe)line and 2 computers (sometimes more) to share.

I have a 4 port Linksys router (which connects to the DSL modem and keeps the ppoe connection alive) into which I can plug any number of computers directly. It is a very simple setup, it works great. Use the XP wizard to configure all of the computers into a local LAN (make an xp wizard disk and use it on the w98 or wME machines). All of the computers can talk to each other, share drives and even printers. you do not have to keep the ics computer on all the time--> the only item that is on all the time is the modem and the Linksys router. Any computer can access the net at any time.
You can do the same thing using a netgear router. Either way if you connect the computers to the router with cat5 cable then you can do the whole setup for about $50-$75 + the cost of whatever cable you need. If you decide to go the wireless route (get a wireless router + a wireless card for each computer) then the cost is more in the range of $200 or so.
Let me know if you need more info or if you have more questions.

[LPDad]

BTW, I forgot to mention: The router itself serves as a firewall and the linksys can be highly customized to your needs (you can open specific ports for specific applications, etc).
Each computer can also use zonealarm (or other software) for added protection without interfering with the router/firewall.
I like the fact that you can then just plug in another 'puter or laptop and have it instantly access your internal and external networks (once it has been properly configured, of course).