[lash9420]

I finally got my laptop and I want to print over WiFi without setting up a WiFi printer. I already have a network at home, I just need to know how to set up printer sharing. Is this possible? If so, how do I do it? Thanks for your help!

[crazy4laptops]

Depends on the operating system running on your other computer.

If it's xp you are good to go

if it's vista, look for headache reliever

I'm assuming you already have a wifi router
In xp, just share the printer to the network on the same workgroup as your laptop.

Vista, i really can't figure out how to get xp and vista to play nicely. Maybe a vista user will be able to help.

[lash9420]

I'm trying to be able to print from my Vista laptop to my XP desktop. Thanks.

[crazy4laptops]

you might be able to find your network in vista, just be sure you have the workgroup right and then map the printer to your system.

[kcihtred2]

heres that headache reliever that crazy was talking about. its called network magic, try it out. Its a pay software, but you can just use the basic features, and try it out for a week

[lash9420]

ok.... My router actually came with this software, it feels kinda
cheap. But I shared the printer but I still can't find it on my
laptop......I'll double check what I did....

[rgreen4]

Ok, on the XP computer, go into the printer folder and make sure that the printer has the hand under it. Like these

Then on the Vista machine, first make sure that it "see" the other machine by clicking on Network in the Windows Explorer window. I keep Windows Explorer locked in the top section of the Start menu, but it's Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Windows Explorer. Then down toward the bottom you will see Network. (In XP it's My Network Places). This should show the Gateway (router) and all connected and active network connected items.

It should look like this:



In the blue bar above the printer you will see two items. One Network and Sharing Center and the other Printers.

First Open the Network and Sharing Center and click printer sharing on. You will have to expand it by clicking on the downward pointed V to the right. (Mine is off as all my current printer are attached to the router so I don't have to keep a computer on to print).



Next Click on Printer in the same blue bar to open the add printer window.
Click on Add a Printer at the top, select "Network, Wireless or Bluetooth Printer". It will then go out and search all the available printers and show them in the listing. If yours is shown, simply click on it and add it as you would any other printer that is directly connected. You may have to provide the driver for the printer.

If you have problems or questions, please post back.

[lash9420]

The only printer it finds is the onenote 2007 on my lappy. Is their something else I need to do on the XP machine?

[rgreen4]

What is the printer you are trying to install?

Does the Vista Laptop see the XP desktop? (Does the desktop show up in the network window?) If it does not, then that has to be fixed first.

[lash9420]

Printer: HP Deskjet



Sometimes, it does, other times no. Right now it doesn't, but a few minutes ago it did. When it does, I'm pretty sure it pulls up a messagee saying it can't find the computer.

[rgreen4]

On the machine with XP, in the printer folder does the printer have the "hand" symbol under it?

[lash9420]

Yes.

[rgreen4]

I have been gone for a whiIe, had to go to the store. I am not sure why it is not seeing the printer.

What has me concerned is the fact that you said that the Vista laptop could not always see the XP desktop. If both computers are in the same workgroup (this would have required a change in the default workgroup name on at least one of them), and the desktop is on, it should be seen. If the desktop is off, it will not be seen.

If you will go back into the network window and click on the "add printer" button on the top blue bar. Then when the printer does not come up, click on the phrase "The printer that I want isn't listed" which will take you to the next step. Then click on the circle in front of "Select a shared printer by name" and in the box manually list the printer in the following format: two back slashes () {network name of XP computer} two more back slashes and then {network share name of shared printer and click on browse.

[lash9420]

It says Windows cannont acces the computer. (The XP one)

I just though if maybe why it cannot always see the XP computer. it could have been in sleep mode or hibranate.But it still won't let me acces it even when I know it's on.

[rgreen4]

Reboot both machines, and with the XP machine on, from the Vista machine, click Start -> Control Panel -> Network and Internet -> View Network computers and devices.
Then using the Snipping Tool (Start -> Accessories -> Snipping Tool) snip the resultant window and post it please. When activating the snipping tool, the entire screen will turn frosty and using the cross hair cursor highlight the area (which clears up) and then save it as a JPG file. Then you can post it by clicking on the small window icon at the top of the posting window (as below)

!http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
1!

[lash9420]

Thanks for all your help, rgreen4! Heres the pic:

[rgreen4]

Do you have UserID's and Passwords set up on the XP machine?
If so are they the same as on the Vista machine?

[lash9420]

On the XP machine I have three different accounts with no passwords. On the Vista machine I have one account with one password.

[rgreen4]

Does the Vista account have the same UserID as the XP account you are using to share the printer?

[lash9420]

No. Do you think it makes a difference?