Home Networking Question - Computer Nerds Please Enter

[Kahn Man]

I am trying to share a printer that is hooked up to my Desktop so I can access it from my work laptop.

Do you have to have the computers be part of a workgroup in order to use printer/file sharing? If so, I am screwed cause if I change from the office network domain to a home network workgroup, I can't use the PC at work.

How the hell do I do this???

[LiqTenExp]

they need to be on the same workgroup and have file/printer sharing enabled and have ipx protocol installed. Then share the printer on the desktop and add it as a network printer on the laptop. Thats how I am used to setting it up. I am not a networking guru so someone here will probably have an easier way to do this.

You could also buy a network printer server for printer. That way anything hooked up to the router will see it and be able to use the printer.

[southpark460]

They don't have to be on the same workgroup, and you definitely don't need IPX to get it done. If they're both using the same broadband connection, you're set. If you're using XP, just right-click on the printer you want to share and click on Sharing... Depending on which service pack you have and your security settings, it'll ask you for a share name or want you to run a wizard. After you share it, go to the other machine and browse the one with the printer (Start-Run- \\computername and click ok). Double click the share you want to use a voila: You're done!

[LiqTenExp]

hmmm i had to install ipx to share between my xp and win2k machine. is this true? I probably went through alot more work trying to share the 2k to the winxp.

[Kahn Man]

They don't have to be on the same workgroup, and you definitely don't need IPX to get it done. If they're both using the same broadband connection, you're set. If you're using XP, just right-click on the printer you want to share and click on Sharing... Depending on which service pack you have and your security settings, it'll ask you for a share name or want you to run a wizard. After you share it, go to the other machine and browse the one with the printer (Start-Run- \\computername and click ok). Double click the share you want to use a voila: You're done!

I got all that done, but I still can't find the printer on the laptop. I tried typing the name of the desktop in the Run window like you said and it can't find it.

[southpark460]

Name resolution can be a problem. That's where IPX comes in handy. You could do one of two things. Type in the IP address in the run command (\\192.168.0.10 or whatever) or put a line in your HOSTS file. I'd try the first method first. You can get your IP by going to a command prompt and running ipconfig.

[Kahn Man]

Type in the IP address in the run command (\\192.168.0.10 or whatever) or put a line in your HOSTS file. I'd try the first method first. You can get your IP by going to a command prompt and running ipconfig.

Notrhing happens on either PC. Perhaps my network is setup incorrectly, but I do get internet access on the laptop.

[Kahn Man]

OK. Not that anyone cares, but I think I've pinpointed my problem. My work laptop is in a domain and my home desktop is in a workgroup.

Is there anyway to make these two work together to share a printer?

[MacDogg]

get a flash drive for $20 and call it a day.
File transfer is probably going to be easier for you.

[MacDogg]

My laptop/desktop are on a Domain/Workgroup and it works fine with my laptop name in the HOSTS file. That is how I transfer VOB file to the laptop.
Only thing I need to do is disable Norton Internet Security.
So, on the laptop open the file c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts in notepad. Add the IP address of the desktop and press TAB, then type in the desktop computer name.
should look like this:
127.0.0.1 localhost
192.168.0.10 macdogg
Then on the laptop open a dos prompt and type in IPCONFIG /FLUSHDNS and then try to ping the desktop. if it works you are getting close.
If you can ping it, then click Start, Run and type in \\computername and see what happens. If you shared the printer you might see it.
reply and let me know. I'll check back in a few.

[Holeshot]

So the printer software needs to be on both computers?

[MacDogg]

only if there is not a WinXP driver for it already. when you try to install the printer it will ask for the drivers if Windows does not have them.
XP comes with a crap load of drivers and will auto install them.

[Holeshot]

It doesnt It to old Compaq A 1500

[MacDogg]

in that case you do need to install the driver when it asks.

[MacDogg]

while I am waiting....the only difference between a domain and workgroup you need to be worried about is where the username/password database is stored.
In a Domain, it is stored in Active Directory which is stored on a central server (domain controller) that every pc on the domain can connect to.
In a workgroup, each computer has it's own locally stored username/password database, meaning all the passwords for every computer can be different. so when you connect to a workgroup computer you will normally have to type in a username and password.
You might have to do this when you connect to your desktop. make sure you have the username/password info when you connect. you will type this in like this:
computer\username or macdogg\administrator and then the password in the bottom field.

[Holeshot]

What if yuour running XP PRO on one machine and XP home on the other?

[MacDogg]

XP Home cannot be added to a domain....but you should still be able to connect to it from another computer.

[MacDogg]

Oh well, looks like Kahn Man ain't here so I'm out.