Two laptops, no desktop, cant hook up printer to both; one has vista the other xp?

Question

let me add some details. Laptop A has vista on it. I connected the printer to it like it was a desktop (intalled software, had it physically hooked up to it and all). Then once i saw that it worked, i unplugged it from Laptop A and plugged the ethernet cord into my wireless router and then it worked without wires.(this was done on purpose). Now, my problem is that with a normal desktop/laptop configuration you can simply search though your wireless network to find the printer and you dont ever have to acctually connect it. Laptop B has xp and the printer (although both shared and on the network) cant be seen. That is really what the problem is. i cant find the printer on Laptop B even though Laptop B can connect to the internet and is working fine.

Answer 1

Without knowing which printer you have it is difficult to give specific instructions, but if your printer has a network connection (is that what you plugged in with an ethernet cable?) then it has a built-in print server.

Built-in print servers have a name (just like a desktop), and a port that can be accessed using the standard unc \\pserver\port syntax. Additionally many print server configured printers can be browsed to using the IP address to help with configuration.

Try looking at the printer port on the vista, and run through the new printer wizard on the XP using that information (you will need the disk to install the driver since the device won't pass it out like a desktop printer share will). Some printers also allow you to find the server and port name using the printer menu.

There are other variables that may apply depending on which printer, and how your printer is connected to the network. If you provide more info I can be more specific.

Answer 2

assuming you have either a multiport modem or a router, set printer as a network printer.

make sure to download and install the latest printer driver for operating system on both laptops.

Answer 3

Wireless print server...nuff said.

Answer 4

most printers are connected with USB and you'll need the driver for it either on disk or using windows driver finder

plug printer in to power it and connect it to the computer with the USB cable and wait for the computer to recognise the connection, then it will say if you want to install the printer select yes then it will ask you for the driver either insert the disc or select use web to find the driver once that is done and the drivers have configured themselves you can print

Answer 5

you need router