Cant share printer on my home network

[ibex333]

I have two networked computers.

My computer running Windows 7, and my Dad's computer, running Windows XP.

A printer is connected to my computer(it's a Brother Laser Printer. It doesn't have a network port), and I want it to be accessible from my dad's computer. I installed a printer driver under win xp, and I shared this printer from Win 7.

When I try to connect to this printer from windows XP it doesn't show. I cannot even remotely access the Win7 computer. I can ping it's ip just fine though.

I can share my dad's hard drives on the network and see them from the win7 comp, but NOT the other way around.

Can someone help me please?

 

[Emulex]

you need to setup sharing and open the firewall ports to see it.

 

[llee]

alternatively, you can get a usb print server on the egg for twenty dollars so you can share the printer via the print server's IP address.

 

[JackMDS]

Win7 when configured on peer-to-peer Network has three types of Sharing configurations.

HomeGroup Network = Works only between Win 7 computers. This type of configuration makes it very easy to Entry Level Users to start Network sharing.

Work Network = Basically similar to the previous methods of sharing that let you control what, how, and to whom folders would be shared with.

Public Sharing = Public Network (like Internet cafe) to reduce security risks.

For best results log to each computer's System Screen and set all the computers to be on a Network with the same name while each computer has its own unique name.
http://www.ezlan.net/Win7/net_name.jpg

Make sure that the Software Firewall on each computer allows free local traffic. If you use 3rd party Firewall On, Vista/XP Native Firewall should be Off, and the active Firewall has to adjusted to your Network IP numbers on what is some time called the Trusted Zone (consult your 3rd Party Firewall instructions

General example, http://www.ezlan.net/faq.html#trusted

Please Note that some 3rd party Software Firewalls keep blocking aspects of Local Traffic even it they are turned Off (disabled). If possible configure the Firewall correctly, or totally uninstall it to allow clean flow of local network traffic.
If end up with the 3rd party software uninstalled or disabled, make sure that Windows native Firewall is On .
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Networking Win 7 with other version of Windows as Work Network (works very well if all computers are Win 7 too).
In the Network Center, clicking on the Network type opens the window to the right.
Choose your type of Network. Notice the check mark at the bottom, and check/uncheck it according to your needs.
http://www.ezlan.net/Win7/net_type.jpg
Win 7 - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/...mputers-running-different-versions-of-Windows

Win 7 Work Network specific folder sharing - http://www.onecomputerguy.com/windows7/windows7_sharing.htm

Vista File and Printer Sharing- http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727037.aspx

Windows XP File Sharing - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304040

In Win XP Pro with simple sharing Off, you can Visually see the Permission/Security setting , and configure them to your liking.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/learnmore/accesscontrol.mspx#securityTab
Printer Sharing XP - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspx

Windows Native Firewall setting for Sharing XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/875357

Windows XP patch for Sharing with Vista (Not need for XP-SP3) - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922120

When finished with the setting of the system it is advisable to Reboot all the hardware including the Router and all computers involved.
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If you have Permission and Security issues with Vista/Win7, check the following settings.
Point to the a Folder that meant to to be share. Right click and choose properties.

In the properties
Click on the Security tab shown in the pic bellow to the right) and check that the users and their permission (shown in the pic bellow center and left) are correctly configured. Then do the same to the Permission tab.

This screen shot is from Win 7, Vista's menus are similar.
http://www.ezlan.net/Win7/Permission-Security.jpg

In both the Security panel, and the Permission panel you have to highlight each User/Group and examine that the Permission Controls are checked correctly.
When everything is OK, Reboot the Network (Router, and computer).

* Note . The Groups and Users shown in the screen-shoot are just an example. Your list will look the way your system is configured.

**Note . All user that are allowed to share need to have account on the computers that they are allowed to connect to.Everyone is an account, it means a group of all of the users that already have an account and been established as users. It does not mean Everyone that feel that they would like to login.

 

[ibex333]

Thanks everyone, especially Jack. As always very informative and thorough reply. I will try this tomorrow morning and post my results.

 

[ibex333]

No luck. I did everything as described, but when I try to connect to the printer from XP, it just says "Could Not Connect to the printer." I tried disabling both firewalls completely, still no luck.


EDIT: Success! Looks like the only problem was that I was entering my login credentials incorrectly. The user name that appeared on logon was NOT the one I originally setup when I installed windows. Good thing I noticed it in the list when I was setting up permissions.

 

[JackMDS]

Can other shares (like files) be accessed from one computer to the other.

Did you installed the Printer's XP drivers on the XP computer.

Maybe this can further Help (the latter part of the page has screen shoots of the process) , http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-7/share-files-and-printers-between-windows-7-and-xp/

 

[ibex333]

Yes, I can share files without any problems. The only thing is, it shows a little weird. For example my windows 7 lists two computers under it's "network". Itself and the other PC. But why would it be showing itself? It's not like I would want ot share my files to this same PC - I am sharing them with the OTHER PC.. so it doesn't make any sense to me.

Windows XP does a similar thing but it is showing the two PCs as two networks...

I am somewhat concerned about security. Does having a LAN somehow make me more vulnerable to attacks from outside? The way I see is it shouldn't, because my router is my 1st line of defense, and then both of my PCs have their external AND internal firewalls enabled.

But if I am wrong, please let me know. Are there any additional steps an average joe needs to take so secure a basic home LAN?

 

[JackMDS]

I do not think that you are more expose to attacks. but some thing is wrong with your network configuration.

The two network phenomenon usually occurs if there are computer with workgrouips name that are different than others.

Or if any of the computers have a Network manager (like Netmagic, or Bonjour), or some 3rd party security suits that like to have its own way with your Network.

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My position on peer-to-peer home Network.

Never use more than one active software Firewall/AntiVirus/Spyware.
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The differences between the top security suits are minute.

Each one might miss something when tested, but in general they provide similar protection.

As long as a person uses a single computer connected directly to the Internet it does not matter much which one is used.

The problem of using 3rd party security suits stems from their difficulties (lack of flexibility) to handle variety of Networking situations.

If you spend time on Computer's Networking Forums you will amazed by the number of users that in order to have a functional LAN and Internet connection have to Uninstall the 3rd party suits, and clean their computers from the residual running processes of the security suits.
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The First level of protection with Broadband Internet connection is using a Cable/DSL Router, even if the Network is comprised of one computer. The Router's NAT Firewall & SPI providing very good inbound protection. The Router’s WAN side also takes care the ISP connection's authentication, thus keeps the connection always alive.

On each Networked computers running Windows Vista/Win 7 use the Advanced native software Firewall, and install the free Microsoft Security Essentials as AV and Antispyware applications.

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials

It all working smooth, on both Cable Internet and DSL, maintaining very good Internet/Network security, without adding any cost to each computer.

I configured many computers on peer-to-peer networks with security configured as described above, many of them are Giga LANs, and they all working very well and secure, achieving LAN transfers up to 70MB/sec. (B=Byte).

The only time that I deviate from this, routine is when it is essential to get Visual feedback during Internet/Network activities and actively control any application that tries to connect to the Internet.

In such cases I usually disable Windows native Firewall, and use PCTools Firewall, it is free, small, and minimally intrusive Software Firewall. The download is only 10MB, and the active processes in RAM use about 14MB),http://www.pctools.com/firewall . It flexible pop-up and traffic indication helps to efficiently control the allowed connection list.