Sharing a network printer?

Question

Iam trying to share a printer across a network. I went to the computer that the printer is hooked up with and I opened printers and Faxes under the start menu, I then clicked on the printer I wanted to share and clicked on "Share this Printer" However when I went to the other computer and went to File > Print to print the document the printer I had just tried to share did not show up on the list of printers. I went to find printer and I ended up finding it, however, it didnt print. I know that the printer that I am trying to use is working because I was able to print something out from the computer it is connected with. What am I doing wrong?

Answer 1

some printers require network drivers to be installed

you also have to install it on the second computer

Answer 2

Your about 1/2 right.

Once you share the printer, the name of the printer will be publicized on the network.

Your computer must be a member of the same workgroup as the computer that is sharing the printer.

Then add the printer and select Network printer, browse the workgroup for the printer name that was created by the first computer.

you will still have to install the drivers for that printer onto your local computer.

Answer 3

You need someone with some good IT knowledge because you are missing some basic steps.

You need to add the printer first on the PCs before you can try and print to it. It doesn't appear magically. Each PC must be on the same workgroup as well in order to see the printer.

In addition the way you are doing it will require the PC that the printer is directly attached to be left on at all times in order for others to print to the printer.

Answer 4

In order to use the printer on another computer, you have to go to the computer using the network and attach it.
Go into My Network Place
Click the link in the bar to the left to "Show Network Computer"
Click on the icon or listing for the other computer
You should see an icon or listing for the printer
Double click the printer and it should install for you
After that you should be able to print to it
(Should have on name telling you that it is on the other computer - such as if it is an HP 100 on Sue's computer, would say "HP 100 Printer on Sue's Computer")

Answer 5

If the printer has its own network capabilities (it will have a network jack if so) just plug it directly into the linksys router. if the printer is hooked up to a user machine, you have to use the unc path to install it. when the printer is shared the unc path will look like this \\name of workstation\name of printer <---- should be something like this. you might want to consider separating your computers logically with workgroup names, rather than physically with switches. put all of the machines on a single hub, linked to your router, and then run the network setup wizard on each machine, and chose a custom workgroup name based on what computers you want grouped together. just a thought.

Answer 6

From what I can see of all that you've done, I'm afraid you seem to have forgotten to "Add printer" which was the first thing you should have done.

Now, since you've found the printer, may I suggest that you "add" the printer before you give the "Print" command?

This time, it should work.

Don't worry about the fact that you missed this little detail. Happens to the best of us. To err is human, aint it?

Cheers.

Answer 7

Make sure that the computer without the printer has that printer's drivers installed on it. And make sure it's in the same workgroup as the host computer.

Answer 8

Try making sure that the printer your trying to use is the chosen printer in your printer setup window.