Need help with setting up a wireless printer

[KhoiFather]

I need help with setting up a printer, so it any laptop or wireless desktop can print to one printer on the main computer.

I have a computer with xp pro, that has a printer connected to it by USB. I also have a wireless network setup so any laptop or desktop with a wireless card can connect to my Verizon fios wireless router.

I installed the printer, I did go into properties and clicked on Share this printer. Now I go to a laptop that has windows vista installed and click on Add Printer. I click on the add a wireless printer option and it searches for a printer. It won't pick up the printer that is installed on the main computer no matter what I do.

Am I missing something here? What do I need to do? I tried messing around with it for a couple hours and nothing I do works. I read through the FAQs about how to install and I follow it step by step by the laptop won't pick up the printer so I can install the printer in the laptop so I can use the laptop to print stuff.

Anyone able to help me out here? Thanks!

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

First of all, you need to create a network. Having separate computers using the same router is not the same as a network. Second, you are trying to detect a wireless printer that is in fact a USB printer. If you create a network either wired or wireless with the computer that has the printer attached to it and then share the printer (as you've already done) you will be able to print to the printer from the laptop as long as the computer with the printer attached is on.

 

[KhoiFather]

I did create a network, when I go into the viewgroup, it shows the printer there. How do I get the laptop to see the printer?

 

[mpilchfamily]

You configure the laptop to connect to your network threw the wireless router. Create a network between that laptop and the PC the printer is connected threw. Then you will add a printer to the laptop not add a wireless printer. But you must set up a network between the desktop and laptop.

 

[KhoiFather]

What do I have to do to setup a network between the pc and laptop? So the laptop being connected to the wireless router that is connected to the pc, doesn't mean its already connected?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Start>control panel>network and internet connections>setup home network

I'm guessing English is not your first language. As has already been stated, sharing the same router/internet connection does not a network make.

 

[mpilchfamily]

Be sure that bother the PC and the laptop use a login and password. The do into the control panel and set up the home network. Then the shared printer will be seen by the laptop.

 

[KhoiFather]

I already did the SETUP HOME NETWORK. I went through it, it made me restart the computer, but yet, I still can't get the laptop to see the printer. Both computers uses a password to get in.

 

[mpilchfamily]

Are you able to see the otehr computer's driver or folders? Have you opened up the permisiona to allow all users to see the printer and the folders?

 

[KhoiFather]

Yes I made sure that was allowed. On the vista laptop, it'll have a list of permissions and I made sure it was all checked on allowed. Still, the laptop can't see the printer.

 

[corkyg]

One thing has been missed. A network printer must be "installed" as such on every computer in the network. Have you done that yet?

 

[KhoiFather]

how would i install the printer as a network printer? I only have the lexmark computer installed on the main pc and I can't get the laptop to see the printer from the main pc.

 

[mpilchfamily]

Install the printer drivers on each system.

 

[bruceb]

The easiest way is if your printer has a built in Wireless interface like the HP7410 and others have.
I have that one and it is connected to my Desktop via USB and also has the WiFi turned on getting
an IP for the printer from the Verizon router (westell) .. All I needed to do to make all the computers
be able to use the printer was to be sure they were all in the same Workgroup and that the printer
had both the correct SSID (wireless network name) and password for the wireless.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: mpilchfamily
Install the printer drivers on each system.

Exactly! That is the easiest way. I have two printers installed that serve three computers on my home LAN - one is wireless. Each printer is installed on each computer as a network printer.

 

[KhoiFather]

So if I install the printer drivers on the laptop, it'll be able to print to the printer connected to the main pc? The printer is a lexmark x6170 but it doesn't have a wireless interface. I just want to be able to setup a network and have the laptop send the signal to the main pc to print.

 

[mpilchfamily]

Once you have the drivers installed you'll be able to see the printer on the network if you have everything configured correctly.