Peer-to-Peer Networking for Printer Sharing

[MapleE.]

Hi:
The reason why I could not perform Printer Sharing was that I had
NO 'Peer-to-Peer' Networking that is a very first step for Printer-
Sharing.

Mine is Windows XP with Wireless which is Comcast and all 4
PCs and Laptop has an excellent signal connection.

My question is:
(1) How to perform 'Peer-to-Peer' Networking?

(2) Do I need to purchase for a successful 'Peer-to-
Peer' Networking? Because, in the past, I attempted
to accomplish this task that took me much of the day.

If there is a good device or any thing like this available either
on-line or local stores, that might be a big help.

Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[Malke]

Hi:
The reason why I could not perform Printer Sharing was that I had
NO 'Peer-to-Peer' Networking that is a very first step for Printer-
Sharing.

Mine is Windows XP with Wireless which is Comcast and all 4
PCs and Laptop has an excellent signal connection.

My question is:
(1) How to perform 'Peer-to-Peer' Networking?

(2) Do I need to purchase for a successful 'Peer-to-
Peer' Networking? Because, in the past, I attempted
to accomplish this task that took me much of the day.

If there is a good device or any thing like this available
either on-line or local stores, that might be a big help.

Thanks for your help in advance.

Run the Network Setup Wizard on all computers, making sure to enable
File & Printer Sharing, and reboot. The only "gotcha" is that this will
turn on the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. If you aren't running a third-party
firewall or have an antivirus with "Internet Worm Protection" (like
Norton 2005/06) which acts as a firewall, then you're fine. If you have
third-party firewall software, configure it to allow the Local Area
Network traffic as trusted. I usually do this with my firewalls with an
IP range. Ex. would be 192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you would
substitute your correct subnet.

If one or more of the computers is XP Pro or Media Center:

a. If you need Pro's ability to set fine-grained permissions, turn off
Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab) and create identical user
accounts/passwords on all computers.

b. If you don't care about using Pro's advanced features, leave the
Simple File Sharing enabled.

Simple File Sharing means that Guest (network) is enabled. This means
that anyone without a user account on the target system can use its
resources. This is a security hole but only you can decide if it
matters in your situation.

Then create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users'
home directories (My Documents) or Program Files, but you can share
folders inside those directories. A better choice is to simply use the
Shared Documents folder.

If that doesn't work for you, here is an excellent network
troubleshooter by MVP Hans-Georg Michna. Take the time to go through it
and it will usually pinpoint the problem area(s) -
http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm

Malke

 

[Hans-Georg Michna]

The reason why I could not perform Printer Sharing was that I had
NO 'Peer-to-Peer' Networking that is a very first step for Printer-
Sharing.

Mine is Windows XP with Wireless which is Comcast and all 4
PCs and Laptop has an excellent signal connection.

My question is:
(1) How to perform 'Peer-to-Peer' Networking?

http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm has some links to step-by-step
tutorials in the general sections.

(2) Do I need to purchase for a successful 'Peer-to-
Peer' Networking? Because, in the past, I attempted
to accomplish this task that took me much of the day.

If there is a good device or any thing like this available either
on-line or local stores, that might be a big help.

If the computers are already networked, it should work straight
away.

Hans-Georg

 

[Hans-Georg Michna]

If that doesn't work for you, here is an excellent network
troubleshooter by MVP Hans-Georg Michna. Take the time to go through it
and it will usually pinpoint the problem area(s) -
http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm

Malke,

too much honor. -) Thanks!

Still have to get the form on that page work with Firefox
though.

Hans-Georg