We are setting up a new household and my wife is getting a desktop pc. I am getting my first laptop and we want to share a printer. She is happy at a desk while I want to take the laptop outside or to the den or poolside. I don't want to share my info/network connection with the neighbors. Since we are getting everything new, we can get whatever equipment is required. BTW, do I want draft N?
2007-04-13 08:52:19 · 10 answers · asked by colorado.dreamer 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Computer Networking
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/setup/default.mspx covers pretty much everything you need to know.
You'll want a wireless network if you want to move the laptop around that much.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspx explains how to share your printer.
2007-04-13 08:56:11 · answer #1 · answered by David D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends how much you want to do yourself. You can hire "geek squad" to do it for you, but it will cost more than doing it yourself.
If you want to do it yourself, you will basically need a wireless router. I wouldn't worry about "draft n", just get a wireless G router. Your internet speed is the slowest link in the chain, so having a faster router will not speed up your internet browsing.
Any popular brand of router, linksys, dlink, netgear will be fine. I think they all have tech support numbers you can call if you have questions. First, install the router following the instructions that come with it. Make sure you have it working on the desktop pc first. Next, you want to configure the wireless portion. The best method for securing your wireless connection is to use WPA encryption and not WEP. WEP is easily cracked but is better than nothing. Once you have configured the router for WPA encryption, try to connect to the router from your laptop using the WPA login creditionals you will create when setting up your router.
I assume your printer is connected to your Windows desktop. If so, just right click on the printer and enable sharing. Once that is done, add the networked printer as a new printer on the laptop.
2007-04-13 09:04:13 · answer #2 · answered by John 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All you need is to make sure that your laptop has a wireless network card. Your wife can use an ethernet cable to connect her desktop to your wireless router. Going with wireless G should be fine. You will not get much benefit from spending the extra money on the N. This is very easy to setup yourself and not worth spending money on geek squad. Just run the network setup wizard once everything is plugged in.
2007-04-13 08:58:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Draft N is not necessary in a home LAN set-up, but then nearly every new wireless router on the market in either Pre-N, Draft-N or N-capable. :) The set-up is simple. DSL Modem ~ Wifi Router ~ Desktop PC ~ Printer. Just follow the installation instructions that come with the Router. Then you can connect your laptop wirelessly after the inital LAN set-up. :) Good luck!
2007-04-13 08:58:35 · answer #4 · answered by thomas 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy a wireless router. Do not go for "N" yet, it's still buggy. Go with "G." It's all you'll probably need anyway. If you don't want others getting into your network, be sure to set a Wireless key (WEP) so that in order to connect to your network, you need that key (that can be set up on the router). Then just plug the desktop into the router and connect the laptop wirelessly to it and you're good to go.
2007-04-13 08:57:04 · answer #5 · answered by Yoi_55 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You definately do not need Geek Squad unless you like to throw away money! They will charge you like $160+ (not including any equipment) to do a 5-10 minute job. The answers are out there and if you but a reputable brand wireless router, you can call there support line and have them walk you through it..
2007-04-13 22:24:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the uncomplicated way is to share the printer on the computer device, then search for for the shared printer from the computing device. i will't provide a step-by technique of-step because i'm no longer operating Xp the following, yet that technique could get you there, as long as both machines connect with an identical router/hub. it really is a few thing like - start up - administration Panel - printers - precise-click the printer and choose homes. someplace contained in the houses is the alternative to share this printer. sturdy success.
2016-12-03 23:40:16 · answer #7 · answered by pass 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you do not need geek squad, it is quite easy to set up a wireless network
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314897
2007-04-13 08:55:35 · answer #8 · answered by mocho22 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/76174f4a-7522-425a-9424-324dd299265e1033.mspx
Google is my best friend forever! And no, u don't need a "geek squad"
Hope this helped!
~Reddo
2007-04-13 09:05:19 · answer #9 · answered by Reddo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_network
2007-04-13 08:55:20 · answer #10 · answered by Juice 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋