Clear and easy explanation needed!

[ctf20]

Hi. I am a novice at networking. I have two computers in the same room, i am going to want them to share a printer. Can someone please give me a good explanation of the easiest (and not to expensive) way to do this. What will I need?

Thanks!!!

 

[WiseOldDude]

do these computers have NIC cards?
what operating systems?
how do you connect to the internet?

 

[ctf20]

the computers are new, and running Windows XP. I am not sure about the card..this is the computer they have i believe -

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product....ath=0%3A3944%3A3951%3A41937#long_descr

we connect with a dsl modem.

 

[Rapidskies]

Originally posted by: ctf20
the computers are new, and running Windows XP. I am not sure about the card..this is the computer they have i believe -

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product....ath=0%3A3944%3A3951%3A41937#long_descr

we connect with a dsl modem.

So do both computers have internet access and plug into the same router (did you buy a linksys or dlink router to get both pc's on the internet)?

 

[ctf20]

well we actually haven't got that far yet, just moved in...but we have a linksys router

 

[ctf20]

have another unrelated question, why can't i change my pic on the left? went to profile and changed it but it keeps going back to this

 

[ctf20]

where did my help go?

 

[Rapidskies]

WEnt to lunch

Ok what you need to do is do a start->run and type in: cmd

at the command prompt type in: ipconfig

write down your ip addresses for both pc's

then at one pc try and ping the other pc's ip for example: ping 192.168.1.2

if you get a reply you can talk to the other pc so then you can set up printing as follows:

Make sure both pc's are in the same workgroup start->settings->control panel->system
click the Network ID tab at the top and check to make sure the workgroup name is the same on both pc's for example: WORKGROUP

Now you can share your printer. On the pc that it is installed on:
start->settings->printers
Right Click the printer and select: shareing...
click the "share as" button and then click ok

Now you can add the printer on the 2nd pc:
start->settings->printers
select add printer wizard
Next, select Network Printer, Next
You can type the name of the printer share as \\PC1NAME\PRINTERSHARENAME or just click next to browse for printer and select it
select the proper driver and you should be good to go.

 

[ctf20]

and this works by just having the wireless internet hooked up? using a router...like i said, i am a novice.

thanks

 

[fuxxociety]

If you've already got your internet working on both PCs, and you can both get on the internet at the same time, it should be as simple as installing the printer on one of the PCs, and set it up as 'shared' in the preferences. You should then be able to install the printer on the other PC, using the 'remote printer' option in Add/Remove Printers