Laptop & Printer working together!

[tabitha]

We have a laptop and a desktop PC with one Lexmark printer/scanner which is plugged into the desktop PC with a USB cable.

I've loaded the stuff (Little Miss Technical here  ) onto the laptop so I can plug in the printer USB so it works from the laptop.

Two questions ....

1. Why does the desktop PC get confused when I plug the printer back in to it? It seems to want me to reinstall all the "stuff" again

2. Is there an easier way to use the printer with the laptop.....in a perfect world with no wires??

Sorry if this all sounds like I have no idea what I'm on about.......it doesn't take much to confuse me 

Tabitha

[Berlin-Bob]

Hi Tabitha,

You'd still need a wire, but one way of doing it is to set up a mini-network with your two computers. Then the printer can stay plugged in to the desktop, but you can access it "over the network" from the laptop.

You could also use a mini-network to run two computers with one internet access.

I'm not sure if it's something we could explain "long distance" though, you probably need a "techie" friend or acquaintance to sort it out.

But maybe one of our Techie-Experts could explain it ! Wait a bit and see  .....

Bob

[tabitha]

Thanks Bob 

The laptop & desktop share a broadband connection via a router. The laptop is wireless the desktop isn't (it sulked when I took it's wires away!) Is that a mini-network?

I'll just hang around the hallways of Rootschat and see if anyone is willing to take up the challenge of explaining ways and means to me!!

Tabitha

P.S. I no longer have techie friends & acquaintances They all ran away .....can't think why

[Berlin-Bob]

They all ran away .....can't think why

Did you forgot to bat your eyelashes at them ?? That usually does the trick !!

Is that a mini-network?

Sounds like it;  does it say anything in the router-manual ?
It could be that you already have the basics and only need to "flip a few (software) switches"

We'll see what anybody else has to say, before I take this any further.

And anyway, it's past my bedtime,
See you tomorrow,
Bob

[tabitha]

Did you forgot to bat your eyelashes at them ?? That usually does the trick !!

If I was the type I'd have a real huff about that and sulk for weeks 


Router manual ...... um ....... now where did I put it  Perfect bedtime reading material!!

Nighty night Bob

Tabitha

[Guy Etchells]

The simplest answer, seeing as you have a wireless network connection is to connect the printer to a wireless print server.
One make that springs to mind is Belkin, but they are not cheap.

You mention being connected via a router, can both computers see each other or can they only see the broadband access, if they can see each other then simply add the printer to the laptop as a network printer attached to the desktop.

If they can't see each other you will have to set up the network protocol.
Cheers
Guy

[tabitha]

Hi Guy,

Thanks for your reply

I don't think the computers can "see" each other .... but how would I know? From the laptop I can't access any files stored on the desktop, when I was setting up the laptop I had to copy files onto a disk to transfer stuff from one to the other.

Tabitha
P.S. the router is Belkin!

[Guy Etchells]

Depends what operating system you use in XP look in the "My Network Places" in Windows 9x use the "start - search - search for other computers" option.

To share files you have to enable file sharing (right click on a file or folder in "My Computer" - click "file sharing" or "sharing & security" depending on operating system. click share files option.

If running XP you can setup a network using the Network Setup Wizard in the Control Panal.
Cheers
Guy

[Emjaybee]

I dont wish to put a damper on things but ..........

we run a Belkin wireless network and try as we might the printer will not stay on line, we just connect direct whenever we want to print something.

The rest of the network I use is so unreliable I have given up. We followed all the intructions to the letter, setting up a wireless network with all the computers (thats 7) working and on line, the next time we turned it on my three  had all disappeared!!!!

Having tried this several times I dont bother an more. Although my sons business computers all stay on line, other than the printer.

I shall watch this string with interest as you may solve my problems for me too.

Please somebody help us before we go nuts.