Re: New Printer problem--Help please!

JO wrote:
You're right, Lem, I did forget to list Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) -- of course, that does appear on both the desktop and laptop.

I was able to successfully turn off all firewalls on the laptop, and I believe I also was successful with turning off all firewalls, virus protection, etc on the desktop. Still no luck.

I have verified that sharing is on, both on the desktop and the laptop. I have enabled guest accounts on both.

I have re-set up the network using the home network wizard. Following the suggestion I found elsewhere (maybe this will help someone else), I set up the network "wrong" (chose incorrect connection method), then set it up again "right" (using correct connection method). According to another source, when you set up a network the second time it may or may not actually re-set anything if you don't change the connection method. That didn't work either.

At this point, when I go to My Network Places on the desktop, both the desktop and the laptop appear. When I go to My Network Places on the laptop, only the laptop appears. So, of course, I still can't see the printer and can't print to the printer that is attached to the desktop.

Based on everything I have read, I'd almost bet it's some sort of firewall or other security issue. I wish there was a quick and easy way to turn off all protection, and/or to verify that all is off!

I'm completely stumped. Since I only want to share the printer and no files, it'd be great if I could just connect the printer to the wireless router. The router is already connected to both the desktop and the laptop. Then I think I could print. Unfortunately, my printer does not have an ethernet connection and therefore no way to connect to my Linksys router.

Any suggestions are welcome! Thanks for all the help already provided!

When you listed the items in network properties, I assume that you just forgot to list "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)." If that wasn't there, I don't think you would be connecting to the Internet at all from that computer.

AEGIS Protocol ( IEEE 802.1x) v.2.3.1.7 and Symnatec Enterprise VPN Client Driver are security-related items that probably relate to a corporate network. Does this laptop sometimes connect to a corporate wired or wireless network? In any case, they shouldn't be the cause of your printer issue.

However, the presence of the Symantec VPN driver raises the possibility that the laptop has a Symantec (Norton) firewall installed. As I said in an earlier post, I had assumed that because you had been able to print from this laptop to an older printer attached to the desktop that firewall issues were not the problem. At this point, it's best to make sure.

Temporarily turn off Windows firewall on both computers. Make SURE that there is no other firewall running on either computer. This includes such things as antivirus programs with "Internet worm protection" features. Finding firewalls can sometimes be difficult. Open Task Manager and look at the list of running processes. Google the names of processes that you can't identify. Temporarily disable any firewalls you find.

If there are no firewalls running, and the laptop still can't get to the printer attached to the desktop, see the thread that Johnnie referred to a couple of posts ago ("Computer does not recognize printer attached to another computer"). For convenience, here are a few of the earlier steps suggested in that thread (although they didn't solve his problem, they might work for you).

Note that running the Network Setup Wizard does turn on the Windows Firewall, but also enables File & Printer Sharing to pass through the firewall. Also, the Network Setup Wizard is NOT the same as the Wireless Network Setup Wizard. Run the former, not the latter. Do yourself a favor: before you run the Network Setup Wizard on either computer, create a System Restore point. That way, if things get worse instead of better (e.g., you suddenly can't even get to the Internet), undo the system changes by using System Restore.

In the following, "DAD" is the computer to which the printer is attached (your desktop) and "MOM" is the computer that can't find it across the network (your laptop):

<from MS-MVP Paul Baker>
I would proceed as follows. After each change, test it. If it fails, reboot both machines and test it again. If it still fails, move on to the next step. If it succeeds, take note of which step fixed it for the benefit of others that may be in a similar situation.

1. Make sure that sharing is on, on DAD. The easiest way to do this is to use the Network Connection Wizard in All Programs > Accessories >
Communication.
2. Make sure that sharing is on, on MOM.
3. You may need to enable the Guest account on DAD, if there are accounts with no password protection. You can do this using Start > Control Panel > User Accounts > User Accounts. Was it already enabled or disabled?
4. You may need to enable the Guest account on MOM. Was it already enabled or disabled?
</from MS-MVP Paul Baker>
--
Lem MS MVP -- Networking

To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

JO,
I'm sorry, I'm about out of ideas. The only thing left that I can think of is to ask if either computer has nVidia network adapters. nVidia network adapters often have a hard-find hardware implemented firewall running.

If this isn't the answer (and it's probably not), and if you haven't completely given up, you might want to start a new thread in the microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web newsgroup. There are folks there, notably MVPs Steve Winograd and Chuck, who are very knowledgeable about networks and might be able to figure it out. Use a more network-descriptive subject, such as "can't see shared printer across network." If you do post there, try to include as much info as possible, including the results of ipcong /all on both computers, and itemize the various things you've done.

Writing the above reminded me: see if the network trouble shooter by MS-MVP Hans Georg Michna at http://winhlp.com/wxnet.htm is any help.

Good luck.

--
Lem -- MS-MVP - Networking

To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
.

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