Wireless network question

[Guest]

Can anyone help; I have just got broadband on my desktop pc and would like to
use this on my laptop which has a build wireless card.

What do I need a ROUTER? And how can I use my wireless laptop with my
printer that is connected to my desktop with a USB cable.

Do I need a printer router so I can print from my wireless laptop?

Thank

 

[CWatters]

Can anyone help; I have just got broadband on my desktop pc and would like to
use this on my laptop which has a build wireless card.

What do I need a ROUTER?

A wireless router is the best choice in my opinion. Get one with a decent
firewall and some wired ports (most have them).

And how can I use my wireless laptop with my
printer that is connected to my desktop with a
USB cable.

If you have a shortcut on the desktop for your printer simply right click on
the printer and select "sharing". Otherwise...

start -> control panel -> Printers and other hardware -> view installed
printers -> right click on the printer and select sharing.

Then on the laptop run the "Add new printer" wizard.

Do I need a printer router so I can print from my wireless laptop?

I assume you mean a router with a built in printer server. That is an
option, however.... Check that the printer driver you have supports sharing
(see above and check the makers web site for any restrictions). If it does
support sharing you can leave it connected as you have it and use an
ordinary router without a built in printer server. This is usually the best
solution because many printer servers don't support all the printers
features (eg Ink or paper status monitors). If you want to buy a printer
server best get one recommended by your printer manufacturer and double
check on this newsgroup if anyone else has got it working ok...
comp.periphs.printers

Colin

 

[Guest]

Whether or not you'll need a router depends on the hardware your broadband
service uses ... some use a modem, some use gateways which provide functions
similar to a router.

Once you've setup your wireless hardware and established a connection you
can configure the two systems (laptop and desktop) to be a workgroup and
share (files, drives, printers, etc.) ... be aware that such a configuration
requires both systems to be on and has a higher security risk (outsiders
access your shared resources) so you may want to use a 3rd-party firewall.

As for routers with print servers (or a stand-alone print server attatched
to the router) you'll need to do some thorough research to ensure
compatibility, many printer servers do not support certain types of printers
(or only support specifc features) ... contact your printer manufacturer for
a recommendation and then contact that manufacturer directly.

 

[CWatters]

Whether or not you'll need a router depends on the hardware your broadband
service uses ... some use a modem, some use gateways which provide functions
similar to a router.

Once you've setup your wireless hardware and established a connection you
can configure the two systems (laptop and desktop) to be a workgroup and
share (files, drives, printers, etc.) ... be aware that such a configuration
requires both systems to be on

That last bit is slightly confusing but I see what you mean....

If using a router and a printer connected to the desktop then the desktop
needs to be on if the laptop wants to use the printer.... but otherwise both
systems don't need to be on. For example the desktop need not be on if the
laptop just wants to access the Internet through the router.

If don't use a router but opt for a wireless lan card and ICS on the
desktop - then they both need to be on when the laptop wants to access the
Internet.