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Printer Sharing Issue


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#1
phoneguy19

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I'm running a home wireless network with a desktop PC and 3 laptops. The desktop is running Windows ME while the laptops are all running Windows XP. There's a laser printer connected to the desktop machine, but none of the laptops can connect to that printer. File sharing does not seem to be a problem, only access to the printer. When I use the wizard to create the connection on the laptops, it builds the entry, but the status appears as "printer not found on server - unable to connect". Is there a fix for this problem? :whistling:

Thanks!
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#2
Retired Tech

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Did you use the XP CD to install home networking on all the machines

For the ME machine, insert the XP CD, let it load, choose perform additional tasks, install a home network

Also check they are in the same workgroup

Is the printer shared and shown with a hand underneath
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#3
phoneguy19

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The laptops came with XP pre-loaded. I actually do not have an XP CD to load home networking onto the ME desktop machine. Is there a workaround solution? :whistling:
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#4
Retired Tech

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When you view the printer on the desktop, can you right click it and click sharing to check the setting
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#5
phoneguy19

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I was able to check the sharing setting. It is set to 'share this printer' and the name on the laptop is the same as on the desktop machine. If I try to print a document (from Word, for example), I get a message box telling me Windows cannot connect to the printer.
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#6
Retired Tech

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The computers have different names

Can you run add a printer on any of the laptops
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#7
phoneguy19

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Yes -- I ran 'add a printer' pointing to \\desktop-name\printer-name. It did seem to set up the printer. It allows me to select it on the laptop when I want to print a document, but it responds with the bad message box. Also, when I hover over the printer name in Printers and Faxes, the pop-up box says "printer not found on server, unable to connect". :whistling:
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#8
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As long as the desktop is on, is the firewall blocking it

Zone Alarm is set to the trusted zone for sharing
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#9
phoneguy19

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I have McAfee, but am currently not running the personal firewall module. Also, the file sharing seems OK. I can work from the desktop's hard drive on the laptop by mapping a network drive.
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