Network Printer trouble

[scottnoddin]

Hello,
I have Windows XP Home on my desktop with a HP Photosmart 1115 Printer
hooked up to it. I have a laptop with Windows XP Pro. I am using a
router to get internet to both CPU's. The desktop has a wire from the
router, the laptop is wireless. The internet works fine. Now I am
trying to set up a shared printer. I have selected my printer to share
in the printers folder and ran the Network Setup Wizard. When I try to
add a network printer by browsing on my laptop it sees the computer
labelled Basement (desktop) but there is no printers under it. I can't
figure out why it won't show up. When I browse for a network printer on
my basement computer (desktop) the printer shows up. I think this
problem has something to do with the XP Home not sharing its files and
printers properly because it is the same for file sharing. I'm not
overly concerned about the file sharing but if someone could help with
the printer it would be great. If I need to give more information just
let me know.
Thanks!

 

[Malke]

Hello,
I have Windows XP Home on my desktop with a HP Photosmart 1115 Printer
hooked up to it. I have a laptop with Windows XP Pro. I am using a
router to get internet to both CPU's. The desktop has a wire from the
router, the laptop is wireless. The internet works fine. Now I am
trying to set up a shared printer. I have selected my printer to share
in the printers folder and ran the Network Setup Wizard. When I try to
add a network printer by browsing on my laptop it sees the computer
labelled Basement (desktop) but there is no printers under it. I can't
figure out why it won't show up. When I browse for a network printer
on my basement computer (desktop) the printer shows up. I think this
problem has something to do with the XP Home not sharing its files and
printers properly because it is the same for file sharing. I'm not
overly concerned about the file sharing but if someone could help with
the printer it would be great. If I need to give more information just
let me know.
Thanks!

First set up your local area network (lan) file/printer sharing
properly. Run the Network Setup Wizard on both 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:

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, including the printer. 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.

Once you have the lan sharing set up, install the printer on the laptop.
Usually with HP printers you need to put the cd in each computer that
will use the printer and go through the installation. When you get to
the part about connecting the printer (usb), there is usually a box you
can check that says "continue without connecting device" so check that.
Either the HP install will find the printer and you'll be good to go or
you will finish installing the drivers and then go to the Add New
Printer wizard in the Printers applet.

Malke

 

[scottnoddin]

Thanks,
I think I read your response similar to this during my troubles today.
I tried installing the printer on the laptop but there was no option to
continue without connecting the printer. I connceted the printer and
installed it that way. Once I put the printer back to my desktop cpu I
tried it again but had no luck. As far as the other things go I checked
into them and it appaears as if I did all the things you said. Thanks
for your help though.
Scott

 

[Malke]

Thanks,
I think I read your response similar to this during my troubles today.
I tried installing the printer on the laptop but there was no option
to continue without connecting the printer. I connceted the printer
and installed it that way. Once I put the printer back to my desktop
cpu I tried it again but had no luck. As far as the other things go I
checked into them and it appaears as if I did all the things you said.
Thanks for your help though.

You should not have connected the printer to the laptop because now the
laptop thinks the printer is connected locally instead of to another
computer. Are you able to share files between both computers? Your
original post suggests that you are not.

It might be more efficient for you to have a knowledgeable friend or a
professional come on-site and set you up. I do not say this to hurt
your feelings; I'm just being practical. Untangling failed printer
installs can be tricksy.

Malke