sharing printer/networking?

Question

i want to be able to use the printer that i have connected to my desktop. i want to be able to print from my laptop. i have a wireless router that i connect to the internet with on my laptop, which is in another room
also, can i access the info from my desktop with my laptop via sometype of wireles networking? if so how do i set this up?

adam. tried to contact you but couldn't. still unable to make it happen. e-mail me with contact info

Answer 1

You can do that easily. On your desktop, you have to go to control panel sharing and share the printer, then share any folders you want your laptop to access.

Then go to your laptop and install the printer software.

Voila!

Answer 2

If you have a printer that is connected to your desktop via USB, then follow the advice of HDTVJunkie

If your printer is network enabled, and you want to make it a member on your network, then follow the advice of D Professor.

Any printer will work, regardless of price if it's a local printer (USB connected.) The way it sets up, the printer won't even know it's being used by your laptop.

If you are using Vista, you will have to work a little harder to go the network printer route. You will probably have to manually set permissions in your firewall software, found in Control Panel. Vista has no sharing trouble that I'm aware of if you know how it works.

Answer 3

Yes you can share this printer only if the printer is shareable. Let me explain, some low-end printers do not allow for sharing. This include most the $30-$50 Lexmark or HP deskjets.

If yours can be shared you need to setup a LAN via your router.
Go to:
Control Panel -> Networking -> Create Network and follow the wizard.

That simple. If you run into problems contact me and I will assist as possible.

If the new computer is Vista enabled... get ready for headaches. It is good for nothing.