Windows shared printer and folders when on different subnets?

Question

I have a desktop windows XP system with attached printer connected to a 4 port Ethernet switch. I also have a wireless router attached to this switch. My wireless laptop cannot see the desktop system (for printing and file sharing), I suspect because they are on different subnets. The laptop can see the desktop when it is plugged into the switch.
Does windows restrict access to remote servers only to those that are on the same subnet? Is there a way I can give windows on the laptop the IP address of the desktop? \\\printer doesn't seem to work.
Thanks

Answer 1

You need to set up Static Routing, Destination IP Address, Subnet Mask, Gateway, and Interface

1. To set up a static route between the Router and another network, select a number from the Static Routing drop-down list. (A static route is a pre-determined pathway that network information must travel to reach a specific host or network.)

2. Enter the following data:
Destination IP Address - The Destination IP Address is the address of the network or host to which you want to assign a static route.

Subnet Mask - The Subnet Mask determines which portion of an IP address is the network portion, and which portion is the host portion.

Gateway - This is the IP address of the gateway device that allows for contact between the Router and the network or host.

3. Depending on where the Destination IP Address is located, select LAN & Wireless or WAN from the Interface drop-down menu.

4.To save your changes, click the Apply button. To cancel your unsaved changes, click the Cancel button.

For additional static routes, repeat steps 1-4.

Answer 2

in case you have homegroup enabled for domicile windows 7 i might disable that first by way of fact XP would not paintings nicely with that. Then bypass to progressed sharing in you community settings and make effective community discovery is grew to become on and record sharing is grew to become on for the two win 7 and xp .