How can I use my Printer with my Laptop & Desktop?

Question

Hi, I'm trying to find out if/how I can use my printer with my laptop~since my printer is connected to my desktop? I tried to figure out how to set up a network last week, but got so many different answers, I gave up:( I only have dial-up available to me~and it seemed opinions varied:) Is there a way to share the printer without having a network set up? (At the time, I was concerned about being able to connect both computers to the net, but now I don't even care about that.)OR, if you can tell me how to set up the network without bothering with the internet business, just so I'll be able to share the printer, pictures, etc., that would be great! Both computers are Dell~ C640 & Dimension 2350, both running XP, and both have the ethernet jack things already. As you can tell~unfortunatley~I'm no computer whiz, to say the least!! So, please explain as "simple & gently" as possible.LOL Thank You So Much!! If you need anymore info to help, just mail me at Lis_60@yahoo

Answer 1

No - If you want to share printer and other resources, you must set up a network first.

You do not need a broadband connection to set up a network. Here are the basic steps. You can add Internet access later

1 - Get a router

2 - Connect the computers to the LAN side of the router

3 - Set up your work group

4 - Enable file and print sharing

5 - Set your printer to shared

6 - Install the printer on the Laptop as a Network printer

Come back if you get stuck

Good Luck

Answer 2

You have a few options. Your firs option is to get a wireless router and network printer and plug the printer into it with a network cable.  Your second option is to get a Wi-Fi printer.  If you are running Windows Vista on both the desktop and laptop you could get a wirless router and pulug just the computer in to it and use the printer through the desktop with the laptop the only bad thing about this is that the desktop must be powered on to use the printer.

Answer 3

On my wired LAN, after I managed to get the laptop and the desktop hooked up, along with access to internet for both- I got the printer shared.

My PC is runs XP, the laptop runs Vista,  a lot of issues had to be resolved, but with patience, I did it.

So on the PC, I went to Control Panel, Printers- selected my printer, and found an option to SHARE.  It was easy!!

Hope you can do it too! Good luck.

BTW- here's the info on hardware:

Linksys wired router.

Westell Bellsouth DSL

PC: HP Compaq Presario

Laptop: HP Compaq A900

Printer: Canon Pixma iP3000

Answer 4

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