[joe1167]

Hi,
I've written before and you've been a great help...thanks a lot! I have two questions regarding a small network in my home. I have a wired Dell PC with Windows XP with a Westell VersaLink router/modem. I also have a Dell laptop (Windows XP) which accesses the internet (Verizon DSL) wirelessly. My questions/problems are:
1) When I go into My Network Places and view workgroups from the wired desktop, I see both computers and a SharedDocs file. But when I do the same from the laptop, I do not see the wired desktop (only the laptop) or any SharedDocs file. I'm obviously doing something wrong but I don't know what. Also, when I finished forming the network from the desktop, it asked me if I want to make a set-up disk or use the one that came with the pc to run on other computers (paraphrasing). I chose to not make a disk because I don't know if I should do this. Is this contributing to this problem? And,
2) I have a printer wired to the desktop and want to set up the system where the laptop can access the printer wirelessly (and the files on the desktop as well.) Do I need to have a wireless adapter on the printer for the laptop to use it wirelessly? Also, do I need to install the printer software on the laptop?
Any help is GREATLY appreciated!!!-Joe

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Hi Joe,

I chose to not make a disk because I don't know if I should do this. Is this contributing to this problem?

Did you run the Network Setup Wizard on the other computer manually? (ie: the same way that you ran it on the wired computer?) If not, you'll have to run the Network Setup Wizard on the Laptop --

• Goto Start --> Programs --> Accessories --> Communications --> Network Setup Wizard.
• The first thing to do when the wizard appears is read the welcome message, and then click Next.
• Read the 'Before you continue....' message, and then click Next.
• Select the option This computer connects to the Internet through a residential gateway or another computer on my network, and then press Next.
• Now, type in a Description for your computer; ie: Jimmy's Computer.
• Enter a Computer Name (or leave it as it's Default), and then press Next.
• Enter a Workgroup Name -- or leave it as it's default, and then press Next.
• If you want to share files and/or your printer with other computers on the network, select the option Turn on file and printer sharing and press Next.
• Check the information; if it is all fine, press Next.

Do I need to have a wireless adapter on the printer for the laptop to use it wirelessly?

Nope -- that's the beauty of having a dual router.. It handles the inter-communication between your wired and wireless devices.

Also, do I need to install the printer software on the laptop?

That depends on the Printer -- some printers need you to do this, others don't. There's only two ways to find out -- read the manual, or try it.

Let's setup your printer.. Before you do this though, make sure that you have File Sharing working first.
On the computer that is directly linked to the Printer --
Goto Start --> Run --> Type: control printers --> In the new window that appears, you should see your printer listed. Click on it once so that it is highlighted, and then in the Tasks Pane (on the left of the Window) select Share this printer. In the new Window, ensure that Share this printer is selected, and then enter a name for your Printer.. Mine is extremely descriptive as "Printer" -- feel free to go wild with your name. Once done, press OK.

Now, on the Laptop --
Goto Start --> Settings --> Control Panel --> Select Printers and other Hardware --> Choose Add a printer --> A Wizard will appear --> Select Next --> Choose the option A Network printer, or a printer attached to another computer. and then press Next --> Select Browse for a printer and press Next --> Type in your printers name, and then let the Wizard locate it and then press Next --> Choose Yes to make it your Default Printer --> You should now be finished. If everything went according to plan, you should be able to print.

- Dan

[Dan]

Hi Joe,

I chose to not make a disk because I don't know if I should do this. Is this contributing to this problem?

Did you run the Network Setup Wizard on the other computer manually? (ie: the same way that you ran it on the wired computer?) If not, you'll have to run the Network Setup Wizard on the Laptop --

• Goto Start --> Programs --> Accessories --> Communications --> Network Setup Wizard.
• The first thing to do when the wizard appears is read the welcome message, and then click Next.
• Read the 'Before you continue....' message, and then click Next.
• Select the option This computer connects to the Internet through a residential gateway or another computer on my network, and then press Next.
• Now, type in a Description for your computer; ie: Jimmy's Computer.
• Enter a Computer Name (or leave it as it's Default), and then press Next.
• Enter a Workgroup Name -- or leave it as it's default, and then press Next.
• If you want to share files and/or your printer with other computers on the network, select the option Turn on file and printer sharing and press Next.
• Check the information; if it is all fine, press Next.

Do I need to have a wireless adapter on the printer for the laptop to use it wirelessly?

Nope -- that's the beauty of having a dual router.. It handles the inter-communication between your wired and wireless devices.

Also, do I need to install the printer software on the laptop?

That depends on the Printer -- some printers need you to do this, others don't. There's only two ways to find out -- read the manual, or try it.

Let's setup your printer.. Before you do this though, make sure that you have File Sharing working first.
On the computer that is directly linked to the Printer --
Goto Start --> Run --> Type: control printers --> In the new window that appears, you should see your printer listed. Click on it once so that it is highlighted, and then in the Tasks Pane (on the left of the Window) select Share this printer. In the new Window, ensure that Share this printer is selected, and then enter a name for your Printer.. Mine is extremely descriptive as "Printer" -- feel free to go wild with your name. Once done, press OK.

Now, on the Laptop --
Goto Start --> Settings --> Control Panel --> Select Printers and other Hardware --> Choose Add a printer --> A Wizard will appear --> Select Next --> Choose the option A Network printer, or a printer attached to another computer. and then press Next --> Select Browse for a printer and press Next --> Type in your printers name, and then let the Wizard locate it and then press Next --> Choose Yes to make it your Default Printer --> You should now be finished. If everything went according to plan, you should be able to print.

- Dan

[joe1167]

Hi Dan,
Thanks very much for your response. I did initially run the network setup wizard manually on the laptop but may have done something wrong because of the problem I'm having. So, am I to assume that there is no need for a network setup disk the wizard asks about? Tomorrow (finally...some free time this week) I will go step-by-step with your instructions and hopefully find and correct the error. I'll post the status some time tomorrow. Thanks for everything again Dan. Talk to you soon.
-Joe

[Dan]

So, am I to assume that there is no need for a network setup disk the wizard asks about?

Right you are -- the setup disk is optional. It makes setting up alot of computers faster if you have the setup disk, as you don't have to go through the whole process of the Network Wizard. However, in a home environment where you only have a few computers, it's easy enough to just run the Network Wizard on each computer.

[joe1167]

Hi Everyone,
Hi Dan. Just wanted to write and let you know that all is well with my small network. I re-ran the network set-up wizard on the laptop and still had the issue of not seeing the printer associated with the network. I went into the networking software a bit further and found my problem. The printer was not "connected" with the laptop although I had it from the wired PC's end. I had to connect it in the software and then it worked. thanks very much for your advice...it's much appreciated! I have one more question if I may. Is there such a device that would allow me to actually turn the printer on from the laptop? The alternative is getting up and physically turning it on (which takes away a bit of the convience of working from the laptop...however, no big deal). I'd just like to know if such a device exists. If not....well I guess we have to get up to turn it on. Just want to say thanks again Dan. You were a big help.
All the best,
-Joe

[joe1167]

Hi Everyone,
Hi Dan. Just wanted to write and let you know that all is well with my small network. I re-ran the network set-up wizard on the laptop and still had the issue of not seeing the printer associated with the network. I went into the networking software a bit further and found my problem. The printer was not "connected" with the laptop although I had it from the wired PC's end. I had to connect it in the software and then it worked. thanks very much for your advice...it's much appreciated! I have one more question if I may. Is there such a device that would allow me to actually turn the printer on from the laptop? The alternative is getting up and physically turning it on (which takes away a bit of the convience of working from the laptop...however, no big deal). I'd just like to know if such a device exists. If not....well I guess we have to get up to turn it on. Just want to say thanks again Dan. You were a big help.
All the best,
-Joe

[Dan]

Hi Joe, sorry for the slow response.

I've never heard of such a device that would allow you to do that.. Why can't you just leave your printer on 24/7? Personally, my printer is always on and I haven't experienced any problems

[joe1167]

Hey Everyone,
Dan, thanks for the info about my printer question. I may decide to do just that (leave it on). Now.... onto my original network issue. Unfortunately, I have a run across a problem with the network. As I said, all looked to be in working order. I was printing from the laptop and could see each computer when I went into "My Network Places" and viewed workgroups on each computer. However, as of yesterday and for no apparent reason, the network re-set itself (for lack of a better word). I can no longer see the laptop from the desktop and vice versa. Also, the printer does not show up on the laptop when I view available printers. When I go into "My Network Places" on each computer the name of the workgroup (main network name) is listed on each PC....that's it. Like I said, I no longer see the other computer and the printer does not show up on the laptop. I thought I had done everything correctly..... If anyone can give some advice on how to proceed, I'd really appreciate it very much.
Thanks,
-Joe

[Dan]

Hi Joe,

Sometimes things can get muddled up, requiring a refresh.. Run the following command on both computers -- goto Start, Run, type CMD, press 'OK', then type the following command:

• netsh int ip reset reset.log

Reboot and test.

If you're still experiencing problems, try the information provided in the MS Article: You cannot access shared files and folders or browse computers in the workgroup.