How to share printer w/ wink2k or router on network??

[Cooky]

I've got mostly WIN2K pros, and some win98 on my network. Currently the printer is attached to one of the win2k's and after making the printer shared, none of the other machines could add that printer from Start/Settings/Printers/Add Printer/Network printer. I can only see the workgroup name in the list but after several double clickings I still can't access or add the damn printer.

The above attemp failed so I hooked the printer to the parallel port on my Siemens SS2614 4-port router. After installing the port driver and adding the printer to each machine (Note this time I can see and add it) I still can't print anything. I'd get an error message saying that an error occured and nothing else showed so I have no clue what went wrong.

If I can get the printer to work via router, great; however it's the 1st method I prefer 'cause the router will be placed in the basement where nobody will want to walk there to get the printouts.
Any help will be highly appreciated!!

 

[Dilsnik]

For shared printers, make sure netbios over tcp/ip is checked in wins tab of you lan connection.

 

[Cooky]

Dilsnik, thanks for the reply.
After checking NetBios over Tcp/Ip, I still can't add the shared printer. I could see the machine w/ the printer hooked up to, but double clicking it doesn't make the printer to show in the list. What am I doing wrong?? Do I need a WINS server?? 'cause I have none now.

 

[Dilsnik]

I'm researching the same problem, that's how I knew about the tcp/ip netbios thing. I need further instruction myself.
Anyone know how to help us?

 

[dbwillis]

Not sure, but maybe you have to enable the Guest account on the 2k box that shares the printer or add whatever ID and PW is logged onto the other 2k and 98 boxes to the 2k PC sharing the printer.

2000 will look for an ID and PW before it lets you use the printer..so If 2000 PC "A" is logged on with Joe (ID) and snuggles (PW) and then user "Jane" with PW of 'husband' is logged onto 2k PC "B" and her ID isnt in the PC "A" box, it wont let her print.
You have to add each username and password to PC "A" so it will let them 'pass-though' and print

 

[Cooky]

Thanks, dbwillis.
If I join the machines onto a domain, there would be no problem sharing the printer at all because all logins are authenticated but due to the nature of my current network there's no domain. Will try your suggestion later.

 

[dbwillis]

Cool, good luck, I guess you can enable the guest account, but thats the less secure/wanted way.