Ok, so I want to set up my laptop to a home network to be able to use the printer without having to plug in.?

Question

I have my lappy here, running Vista, and i have a Belkin wireless router hooked up to my desktop which runs XP and i have a printer connected to my desktop. So, assuming that I am pretty sure i'm on a network of a sort, how do i get my notebook here, to be able to send files to my printer connected to my desktop?

Answer 1

IIRC (it's been a while since I set up printing on this Vista laptop) you still do it the old fashioned way on the Vista side - Control Panel/Printers/Add a Printer (it's on the top of the window now).  Just add a network printer, browse for it if it's not showing, and let Vista add the driver.  kbugiell got the XP side exactly correct.

Answer 2

on the desktop, open Printers and right click on the printer you use.  Go to Sharing, and share the printer so the laptop can use it.  close printers.  now right click on MyComputer and go to Computer Name tab, check the "Workgroup" name.

go to the laptop, and verify that it is in the same workgroup - if not, change it so that it is (otherwise it will not 'see' the printer).

once the printer is shared, and they are in the same workgroup, you should be able to print to it - the first time you try to, Vista will install the necessary drivers and you'll be set.  just remember, the desktop must be on and in windows for the laptop to be able to get to the printer.

Answer 3

well i think it works the same in vista as xp so what you do is you go to network places, set up a new network, follow the steps and make sure to turn file and printer sharing on, then choose add new printer or fax machine and find the printer.