Re: Accessing a printer on PC from laptop through a network

Gail wrote:

I have a small wireless network running in my home which consists of a PC
and a laptop with printers attached to the PC.

I would like to see the printers from my laptop so that I don't have to
continually unplug and plug in the printer to the laptop and visa versa.

I can see the printers on the laptop when they are attached to that, but
when I try and go the other way it asks for a username and password, I
don't use any log on on the PC, can anyone help please, it is driving me
up the wall

Run the Network Setup Wizard on both computers, making sure to enable File &
Printer Sharing, and reboot. The only "gotcha" is that this will turn on
the XPSP2 Windows Firewall. If you aren't running a third-party firewall or
have an antivirus with "Internet Worm Protection" (like Norton 2005/06)
which acts as a firewall, then you're fine. If you have third-party
firewall software, configure it to allow the Local Area Network traffic as
trusted. I usually do this with my firewalls with an IP range. Ex. would be
192.168.1.0-192.168.1.254. Obviously you would substitute your correct
subnet.

If one or more of the computers is XP Pro:

a. If you need Pro's ability to set fine-grained permissions, turn off
Simple File Sharing (Folder Options>View tab) and create identical user
accounts/passwords on all computers.

b. If you don't care about using Pro's advanced features, leave the Simple
File Sharing enabled.

Simple File Sharing means that Guest (network) is enabled. This means that
anyone without a user account on the target system can use its resources.
This is a security hole but only you can decide if it matters in your
situation.

Then create shares as desired. XP Home does not permit sharing of users'
home directories (My Documents) or Program Files, but you can share folders
inside those directories. A better choice is to simply use the Shared
Documents folder.

If that doesn't work for you, here is an excellent network troubleshooter by
MVP Hans-Georg Michna. Take the time to go through it and it will usually
pinpoint the problem area(s) - http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm

Malke
--
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic"
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Simple networking?
    ... New laptop using XP Media Centre/SP2. ... I have turned off XP firewall on both since I'm using Zone ... Run the Network Setup Wizard on both computers, ... Simple File Sharing and create identical user ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Simple networking?
    ... New laptop using XP Media Centre/SP2. ... I have turned off XP firewall on both since I'm using Zone ... Run the Network Setup Wizard on both computers, ... Simple File Sharing and create identical user ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: File sharing - why is it so difficult?
    ... I am having the same file sharing symptoms as lots of other people though the usual solution of switching off firewalls, enabling Netbios or starting programmes sevices folder. ... I also have a laptop also running windows XP but running the free AVG anti-virus software. ... The strange thing is the laptop can ping the PC once the firewall has been turned off but it can't access any files through windows. ... They are both part of the same workgroup and if you view that workgroup in network places on the PC you can see the laptop and on the laptop you can only see the laptop. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: No access to SATA drives thru LAN network. Something to do with security?
    ... On my desktop I have 4 SATA drives which I cannot access from my laptop: Windows says I have no permission. ... Run the Network Setup Wizard on all computers, making sure to enable File & Printer Sharing, and reboot. ... If you aren't running a third-party firewall or have an antivirus with "Internet Worm Protection" which acts as a firewall, ... If you need Pro's ability to set fine-grained permissions, turn off Simple File Sharing and create identical user accounts/passwords on all computers. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin)
  • Re: Problems connecting to files on other computers.
    ... desktops have XP home and the laptop has professional. ... some reason I cannot access files on the other 3 computers. ... This is most commonly caused by a misconfigured firewall. ... Simple File Sharing and create identical user ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
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