Laptop & Printer working together!

[MaryA]

Little Miss Non-Technical here  is also watching.  I have a Netgear hub which 4 things can plug into but the printer is a bit old and doesn't have USB stuff so it can't.  Don't "think" I can print from laptop through PC to it, since although laptop can see a 3rd puter on the mini network, it can't see the main PC and yep, I've given up giving out sharing rights because they don't make a happorth of difference. (and running XP on all machines)

Mary

[Guy Etchells]

The easy answer first.

As your printer does not have a usb output the easiest way to connect is to connect your printer to your desktop computer.
When this is connected and the printer is able to print from the desktop open "My Computer - Control Panel - Printers & Faxes" on the desktop computer.
Right click on the printer icon you wish to share click "sharing" and enable printer sharing.
Leave the desktop computer & the printer on.

Turning to the laptop or remote computer open "My Computer - Control Panel - Printers & Faxes" and double click on the add printer icon, when asked for printer to add click Network Printer or printer on another computer. Windows will find the printer and add the drivers.
Print to your hearts content.
Cheers
Guy

[Guy Etchells]

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.

The most common reasons for network computers dissapearing are-

Firewalls are blocking access.

Computers are not all using the same network name. I.E. some computers are on a network named one and others are on a network named two. All the computers on one will see each other and all the computers on two will see each other but no computer on one will see any computer on two. If all computers have diffrent network names none will see each other.

Computers are not all using the same protocol check in "network Connections"

Cheers
Guy

[Emjaybee]

Thanks for your reply Guy. We seem to be connected as long as we dont turn anything off, then the link disappears. All Pc's are in the right workgroup and will transfer files etc, and even print just the once. The its all gone!

I can only think that the radio link is too weak to hold in as my PC's are on the front of the house, while the transmitter and main net are in my sons office at the back.

All Pc's run XP, we have used the connection wizard, and set up manually with the same result.

Thank you for taking time to read this.

Mike

[Guy Etchells]

I could be you require a wap (wireless access point) to extend your range.
Cheers
Guy

[MaryA]

Thanks Guy, will give that a go.

Mary

[tabitha]

Just to let you all know..... I've now got it working 

Because we use a Belkin router I've splashed out £49 and bought the Belkin Wireless Printer Server (I think Guy suggested that option!) and it took me about 15 minutes to get it all up and running!!

Now I just press print from either computer and Bob's yer uncle 

Thanks very much for all of the advice and help, sorry I've dithered for so long
trying to decide what to do but I thought the least I could do is let you all know the outcome of my dithering

Tabitha