I must be an idiot

[julesk10]

I am trying to share my printer with my laptop over a wireless network
but have not been able to do this. My desktop is running windows xp
and I have an hp printer. I have the printer installed and set to
share printer. The printer icon has the hand signifying that fact
that it is shared. On the laptop that also runs xp I brose network
printers and it finds none. I have also noticed that when I search my
network/entire network I cannot find my desktop. What have I done
wrong.

 

[Malke]

I am trying to share my printer with my laptop over a wireless network
but have not been able to do this. My desktop is running windows xp
and I have an hp printer. I have the printer installed and set to
share printer. The printer icon has the hand signifying that fact
that it is shared. On the laptop that also runs xp I brose network
printers and it finds none. I have also noticed that when I search my
network/entire network I cannot find my desktop. What have I done
wrong.

You're not an idiot but you probably have done something wrong. Don't
worry - we'll get you through it.

First make sure that you've set up file/printer sharing correctly (basic
instructions follow). Once you know you can successfully share files
between your two computers, put the HP install CD in your laptop's drive
and install the printer there. It should find the printer during the
setup and you'll be able to print.

Basic networking instructions:

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

 

[Al Dykes]

I am trying to share my printer with my laptop over a wireless network
but have not been able to do this. My desktop is running windows xp
and I have an hp printer. I have the printer installed and set to
share printer. The printer icon has the hand signifying that fact
that it is shared. On the laptop that also runs xp I brose network
printers and it finds none. I have also noticed that when I search my
network/entire network I cannot find my desktop. What have I done
wrong.

All machines must be in the same workroup.

Turn off firewall software until you get the printer
to work.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

All machines must be in the same workroup.

Putting all machines in the same workgroup makes some networking tasks
a little easier, but it isn't necessary. Windows networking supports
multiple workgroups, and workgroup membership has no effect on whether
computers can access each other' shared folders and printers.

To see all of the workgroups on a network:

1. Click My Network Places.
2. Click "View workgroup computers".
3. Press the Backspace key.

To access another computer, regardless of what workgroup either
computer is in, click Start > Run and type the other computer's name
in the box in this format:

\\computer

Turn off firewall software until you get the printer
to work.

Good idea.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

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