Setting up a printer on a wireless network?

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Sep 4, 2005
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Ok, here is my situation:

I have a main desktop computer hooked up to a HP All-in-One printer. Works fine. I also have a laptop w/wireless capability that I use with my wireless router. The router also services the main desktop through one of its LAN ports. Also works fine. My question is, can I make my printer work from my laptop using a setup like this? I have tried using online tutorials and such, but have no success. I have a modest knowledge of computers and can follow directions. Essentially, I'd like to be able to work on my laptop upstairs, then print something and have it come off the printer downstairs next to the main system. Any help is appreciated and I can provide more specifics if needed.

Thanks

edit: both computers are Windows XP
 
Yes you can. Make sure your printer on the desktop is shared, go to controll panel on the desktop, printers & faxes, right clik on your default printer, click on properties, click on sharing, select share this printer. Power up the laptop, go to printers & faxes, click on add a printer, select a netwok printer, select browse for a printer, the printer on your desktop should apear on the list, just click on it and windows should do the rest for you. Some times the laptop will have to be on for while to find all of the shared network items. Be patient
Hope this helps.

Leon Pugh
 
Alright. All components are powered up. When I try to add the printer, the only items I get in the list are windows work group and Microsoft windows network. All items have been on for several hours now. I do not have any sort of network set up within my house. I.e. I don't share files between computers etc. Is this needed? Things are setup as follows. My internet (DSL) comes into the house via the dsl box, plugs into my wireless router which then provides internet for my main desktop. My laptop is in my room and has a built in wireless card which receives internet from the wireless component of the router. Does this setup constitute a "network"? Any help is very much appreciated!!
 
Ok, disregard that last post. I had to click on the workgroup to access the printers on my desktop. It seems to work now, at least from Word which is a big deal to me. LEON.PUGH, thank you so much!! It was so simple, yet it's been bugging me for 6 MONTHS. It took Bladeforums to solve my problem (again:D )
 
That works as long as you have your desktop on. If you'd like to be able to use the printer from either machine anytime, you can get a network print server for very little money these days. It would generally plug in to one of your lan ports on your router and turn your printer into a network device which would allow full function to all computers on the network.
 
Ok, disregard that last post. I had to click on the workgroup to access the printers on my desktop. It seems to work now, at least from Word which is a big deal to me. LEON.PUGH, thank you so much!! It was so simple, yet it's been bugging me for 6 MONTHS. It took Bladeforums to solve my problem (again:D )

I forgot to include that little tidbit but you got it any way.

Leon Pugh
 
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