I want to attach a computer to a Local Area Network. (This works, already.)
Okay.
Then I want to attach the same computer to *another* Local Area Network. (This works too, after a fashion.)
Nod.
The Local Area Networks are slightly different. (Of course... How could they NOT be?)
Indeed.
So the computer should be configured slightly differently for each Local Area Network. (This is what *doesn't* work, right now... Except by changing each setting manually. (That's what I mean by "after a fashion", above.))
Okay, I now start to see what you want.
What I want to do is set up these slightly differently-configured Local Area Network connections on the computer, so both alternatives are readily available under the "Network" menu-thingy under the the "Settings" menu-thingy under the Start button.
You want to have two sets of network settings for the same network card, I think...
So I won't have to right-click *the single* Local Area Network connection I have there, click "Properties", select "TCP/IP Protocol", click "Properties"... And so on and so on, each and every time I disconnect the computer from one Local Area Network and connect it to another one, you see?
...I think correctly.
This has, AFAICS, fuck-all to do with "configuration of hardware" since it happens the same way with all machines I've tried it with. Yeah, well, OK, *both* machines... :-) But still!
It sort of HAS got something to do with hardware. I shall explain shortly.
Here's what you need to do.
You need to set up a second hardware profile on the box. This is the only way to have two sets of network settings on the same physical card - SHORT OF actually binding two different IP addresses to the same card. Trust me, you don't want to do that.
Here's how you create another hardware profile:
1. Start->Settings->Control Panel->System
2. Choose the Hardware tab
3. Click Hardware Profiles
4. Click Copy...
5. Type in a name for the new profile
6. Reboot
7. At the choice screen, choose the new hardware profile
8. Log in as you usually would, and then configure the TCP/IP settings as you want for the other network
When you want to revert to the original network settings, reboot and use the original hardware profile.