ok heres the deal
I have 2 desktops and 1 laptop
desktopA is connected to a router via the ethernet cable
desktopB connected to the rotuer via usb adapter
and the laptop connected via built in network card
the printer is connected to desktopA
Now i tried to 'enable sharing' the printer from control panel-->printers
but i cant seem to get that printer working cia desktopB or the laptop
i mean i go to control panel>>printers and faxes>>add printer
and in there i choose the
A network printer or a printer attached to another computer
i go to browse for a printer
but i dont see the printer that i enabled
any help would be so appreciated
2006-10-05 16:33:39 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Printers
You can buy a print server that will plug into your router or switch. Then all three can use the same printer. They are fairly common and cheap.
2006-10-05 16:36:59 · answer #1 · answered by james 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm assuming that you are using windows xp.
1) on all systems do the following
ensure that file and print services is turned on
ensure that the firewalls allow you to print and share files
ensure that user accounts and machine accounts have permissions to print
2) on desktop A, share the printer, and give it a share name
3) desktop b try first with add printers, if you still dont see the printer share name in the lil box, and sometimes it takes a damn long time to come up. Then find desktop A in windows explorer, under my network / entire network/ microsoft windows network
your printer should be shown there, right click and and selct connect
It should load teh drivers from desktop A, but in case that doesnt happen, keep the printer driver CD ready.
Do the same with the laptop
2006-10-05 16:44:25 · answer #2 · answered by Dean 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is possible to do what you are asking. You have to first 'Share' out the printer on Desktop A. To share a printer, go to desktop A computer where the printer is installed and connected to. Right click on the icon, then left click on 'properties'. Select the 'share' tab across the top. Then select the 'share' option and give it a name, like 'Printer on Desktop A' or 'HP laserprinter' or whatever. Then since all the computers are networked via your router, all you have to do then is add the printer on the other computers. Select 'add' printer in printers section. Then select the network printer option instead of 'local printer'. Enter the computer name\printer name (IE: Computer A\Laser Printer) or you can also try browsing for it. To obtain the computer name, locate your MY COMPUTER icon on your desktop, then right click on it, then left click on properties. Select the 'computer name' tab. It will be listed as 'computer name' . Lastly, select the appropriate driver for it and you are all set. This will allow you to print to that printer from any computer. One other factor to remember. Desktop A must be on for the other computers to be able to print to the printer, as that computer is acting as the server or manager for that printer.
2006-10-05 17:10:57 · answer #3 · answered by just4fun 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WOW there are some curious answers in this thread.....
this is a piece of cake, when you are adding a printer, you want to use the search for printer option. Here you will simply type the name of the printer in. So....
1. From the computer the printer is installed on go to Start>settings>printers and take note of the printers name.
2. Go to Add printer from each remote computer and search for that printer and then add it. It will install the driver for it on each computer when you do this....
you are now done...
Hope that helps
Nigel
2006-10-05 18:53:18 · answer #4 · answered by Nigel Lew 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Computer "B" and the laptop must also have the shared printer set as the default printer. Computer "A" MUST be turned on to share its "spooler" with the other 2 computers. Your actually sharing computer A's spooler file with the other computers, your not actually "sharing" the printer. This is the way it works on my wireless network. If you want to print without having computer "A" turned on, you'll need a print server. These won't work with multi-function printers though.
2006-10-05 16:49:11 · answer #5 · answered by mittalman53 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well make sure that all of the computers are plugged into the same router. I have a desktop and my laptop both wireless that share the same printer that is hooked to my desktop. They might all have to be the saem kinda connection...like wireless or hardwired, cuz my dad cant connect to my printer even tho he is on the same router cuz he is hardwired.
2006-10-05 16:48:38 · answer #6 · answered by fullerfyed 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you may pass the two way. i could first set up the workgroup because of the fact the internet get admission to is uncomplicated, the router will handle that and not making use of a concern. on the single the printer is hooked as much as, decide on the printer and share it. the different computers could see it. the solid component is that in case you have a USB-stress once you setup the 1st gadget you may create a record on the USB-stress to immediately software the different 2 computers to apply the peer-to-peer community.
2016-10-15 21:33:41 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You would need a print server to link all of the computers to the same printer. =)
2006-10-05 16:42:17 · answer #8 · answered by PandaRoo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a wireless internet card for all your computers or if you already have them skip this step.
buy a router that is able to connect to printers and set it up to indentify it
and then just set it up for sharing and voila!
2006-10-09 07:54:33 · answer #9 · answered by dragon_maker123 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would recommend going low tech. just purchase a three position switch box, and hook it up to all of your computers. then all you have to do is switch it to the right computer when you want to print.
2006-10-05 17:40:46 · answer #10 · answered by eman12343567 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋