I need help with my home networking and printing. I have a network set up on my desktop, allowing my notebook

Question

to hook into the internet. At one time, I could print documents from my notebook on the printer hooked into the desktop. That is no longer the case. I've set the printer to "share this printer" and tried setting up the network again but have had no luck. Do both cpu's need the printer software? I'd really like to zap out all former networking and start from scratch but if there is another way, I'm all ears. Also, I cant seem to share folders between CPU's. Help Please!

Answer 1

In a workgroup without DNS printers and computers must use IP addresses. If you could print before and not now, your IP address probably changed on the computer with the printer hooked to it.

Check the IP address of the computer with the printer attached
and add the printer again on the other computer.
Make the IP address static or reserved in the routers settings.

I can help more if you provide more info about the setup

Answer 2

Please could you tell us what operating systems you're using.

It's an extremely difficult topic to explain, as there are so many variables that need to be set up correctly.
Does your network still work, do your computers see each other.

What was the last thing you remember doing before you lost your network.
If you have installed new software your printer might not be set as the default printer.

Check this in start/all programmes/printers and faxes.

To take the TCP/IP address and DNS out of the equation set them to obtain address automatically. (My network connections), right click on the 'local network connection'
open properties
select TCP/IP Internet protocols
then open properties and set to obtain addresses automatically.
TCP/IP and DNS

Your workgroup needs to be identical for all your computers.
You'll find this if you.
Right click on my computer (on desktop)

Select Tab 'Computer Name'
Change.
Check to see if your workgroup names are the same.

You will also need to setup your shares and permissions
and your user rights.

You'll find this feature if you opened up my computer normally right click on your operating system icon (C:Drive)
then select properties. Check your shares and security Tab's.

Let us know how you get on by adding to your question.

SteveZman. First time seeing an MCSE

Answer 3

firsth thing to do is turn off all firewalls to make sure they don't get in the way, once you get it working you can tighten them back up. Basically if you install the software and the printer on 1 system them share it, you should be able to connect to it from another PC as long as the network is properly configured.

Answer 4

You don't say WHAT kind of networking you've set up. Make sure that in your networking setup, Printer and File SHaring is enabled on both machines.