• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Need some help with printer sharing

D

DyslexicHobo

Senior member
I have two computers-- one upstairs and one downstairs. The upstairs computer has a Dell printer hooked up through USB, and I want to be able to use it from the downstairs computer.

The problem is that I can't find the printer from my downstairs computer. I go to Printers + Faxes, click on "Add New Printer", and go through until it asks me to browse for the printer. All I see is a tree that goes Microsoft Windows Network -> MSHOME -> Jim (name of upstairs computer); there's no printers visible.

I've already went to the upstairs computer and enabled sharing on that computer, and I've already tried to set up the printer by typing in "\\Jim\DellPhot" (name of printer in sharing options), and I've also tried "\\Jim\Dell Photo AIO Printer 942" (name of the printer in control panel). I'm not sure what's wrong. It could be something very small that I'm just overlooking, this is my first time sharing a printer.
 
I havent' done this in a while, but I'll see if I can offer some ideas.

- Are both PCs on? Not just the printer, but the upstairs pc must be on too.

- Are you running a firewall program that needs settings updated to include printer sharing?

- Did you right click on the printer icon on the upstairs pc and select Sharing?

You may have already tried those, but that is all I can think of off the top of my head.
 
Yes, no, and yes.

Well, about the firewall... I'm using a Linksys WRT54G router, would that built in firewall be causing any problems?


I now found out that it's not just a printing problem, it's a network problem. I can't connect to him because I don't have access (yet I do see his computer under "Workgroup Computers"), but he can see me and use my shared files etc.
 
Check that your networking and Printer and File Sharing are working:

If PC1 is the computer with the shared printer....
On the OTHER PC, use Internet Explorer to view the shares: "\\PC1"

You should see the shares on PC1. If you don't, something's wrong with your networking or sharing setup.
 
Originally posted by: RebateMonger
Check that your networking and Printer and File Sharing are working:

If PC1 is the computer with the shared printer....
On the OTHER PC, use Internet Explorer to view the shares: "\\PC1"

You should see the shares on PC1. If you don't, something's wrong with your networking or sharing setup.
Click to expand...

Yup, I tried that.

There is something wrong with my sharing setup, but I don't know what.

Windows Printer + File sharing is on, the Simple File Sharing is on, and I've tried to take the firewalls down. No luck yet.
 
If you temporarily disable any firewalls on both PCs, they should be able to ping each other (using the other's IP address). Can you ping one from another using their IP addresses? Can you ping one from another using their Computer Names?
 
Go to ther other PC and create an account with the same user name and password that you use on your PC, also give it an admin right.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top