Network Printer Setup

[spankyfrank]

How do you connect a laptop to a desktop with a printer to use that printer? Can it be done wireless-ly or do I need to be connected with a cable?

Please help I stink at computers.:wallbash:

[MadMatt]

Depends on the network and printer.

If the PC and Laptop are on the same network, and the Printer is attached to the PC, the easiest way is to "Share" the printer.

If you are using Windows XP, here is a page that describes the process pretty simply (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspx).

If you have a different setup, your printer has a network card, you are using a different OS, or some other question I haven't thought of, just let me know. I do this kind of stuff all the time. :bye:

EDIT: However, if it is a MAC I am in the dark. Sorry. Otherwise I can probably help.

[Ritalin]

A couple of ideas:

Plug the printer into the laptop. or

Transfer the files you want to print from the laptop to the desktop, either wirelessly or with a disk.

[spankyfrank]

Crap I did all those things and for whatever reason my laptop cannot access my main computer. While I still have this thread any idea on how to make my desktop accessible so i can get to the printer. And would the fact that I have a wireless router have anything to do with the face i can't connect?

Again Im an idiot when it comes to computers

[MadMatt]

Where are you getting stuck - you can't get the printer setup at all or you got it setup but can't print?

If you can't see/share the printer, then you might need to "activate" file & print sharing on your laptop. You may also have to temporarily disable your Anti-Virus and/or Firewall for your laptop to be able to see the shared printer or to be able to Print.

Give me a few more details about the problems you are having and I can be a little more exact about my "diagnosis." :wink:

[spankyfrank]

Like on my host computer printer sharing is enabled And it seems to be connected to the network but if on my laptop I go to My network places The only files that'll show up are my own shared files and another laptop on the network. And then when I click on the task that says view workgroup computers My host will show up but then when i click on it this message comes up:

(computer name) is not accessible. you might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permission.

logon failure: he user has not been granted the requested logon type at this computer.

[Reynolds]

I'd imagine you have the printer connected wired to the desktop. Make sure you have file and printer sharing turned on with the desktop. On your laptop, go to control panel, printers and faxes, add printer. click next, then check "a network printer, or a printer connected to another computer" Browse for a printer, you might have to double click your network, sometimes it takes a while for the laptop to recognize the network printer. It can be tricky sometimes, if this method fails, try uninstalling and reinstalling the printer on your desktop, then trying again from the beginning.

I have a lexmark and a hp printer at home, and sometimes the lexmark one can be a pain in the ass. All of the startup programs must be active when you reboot the computer, and the computer must be on (not in power save mode either) when the computer reboots. Try turning the printer off, then on again, and restart the computer. Then try installing the network printer from your laptop. Hope this helps

[FUNKMAN]

if you're using a wireles/hardwire linksys setup

desktop hardwired to linksys wireless router and printer

laptop with usb wireless card

go to linksys site and download Linksys Easylink Advisor. run it on your desktop, it will setup the network on your desktop and copy a program/utility to a portable disk. take the portable disk to your laptop and run the program, it will setup your network.

just one idea, i had trouble with this setup till I used the Linksys Easylink Advisor

[Ritalin]

or you could just

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/148/374527361_c15ab331b2_o.jpg

[Death Metal Moe]

What operating systems are you running on both comps? XP really couldn't make it any easier to find printers.

Make sure you're allowing sharing in the options on your desktop with the printer attached. You can connect through a wireless router to it as long as you've set up a home network between comps already. I do it here. I actually connect wirelessly to a computer wired to another wireless laptop in another room all the time, it's fucking dirt simple.

If you have 2 different operating systems (especially if one is older than XP) you'll need more specific help from someone more versed in computers than I.

[drusilla]

or you could just

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/148/374527361_c15ab331b2_o.jpg

i'm converting. i just can't take the crap anymore. i'm just waiting to see how much i have to pay if anytihng in taxes & then i'm heading to the store to pick up my macbook pro.

i was also looking into time capsule which is a wireless router/printer server/ external hard drive all in one.

[PapaBear]

I set up my HP Photosmart through a network switch. It prints great from both computers, and the CAT 5 cable prints much faster than the USB cable. My only problem is, the card reader won't work. After I reinstall the drivers, the card reader works once, then doesn't work again. I can only get the reader to work when I use the USB cable, but then it's not networked.

[ANC]

Like on my host computer printer sharing is enabled And it seems to be connected to the network but if on my laptop I go to My network places The only files that'll show up are my own shared files and another laptop on the network. And then when I click on the task that says view workgroup computers My host will show up but then when i click on it this message comes up:

(computer name) is not accessible. you might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permission.

logon failure: he user has not been granted the requested logon type at this computer.

Are both the laptop and desktop part of the same workgroup?