I have a XP desktop with a Brother MFC-4800 printer connected to it via USB (virtual printer port for USB001). The desktop is plugged into a Netgear WPN-824 wireless router. My XP laptop is connected to the router via a wireless network and can access the internet with no problem. I've enabled printer sharing for the printer on the desktop and see the little cupped hand under the printer icon indicating sharing is turned on. The problem is when I go to the laptop to add the printer from a network via the wizard it does not appear. I have rebooted both computers several times as well. What could be the issue? There is an option to add the printer manually but how do I find out what the address is to do this? I can't connect the printer directly to the router as the printer has no ethernet connection...only serial and USB. Any input appreciated.

Check to be sure both computers are in the same Workgroup.

Another thing. You can turn any USB printer into a network printer with something like a HP jetdirect en3700 Printer Server.

Then you can print from any networked computer independent of any other computer.

Thank you, I'm checking on the Workgroup thing...I need to read up on it a bit. I remember having a Workgroup for my 2 hardwired destops w/ a previous router to share files, but don't know if I added the laptop to the Workgroup when setting up the wireless network. I'm a little unclear on the difference between Workgroup and newtork...I'm guessing the Workgroup is the specific items from each computer you are willing to share across the network.

I like the printer server idea, but what is the difference between a $300 printer server and a $35 one like the D-Link DP-301U ? Seems like I'd be better off buying a new printer w/ ethernet than spending $300+ on just the server?...$35...that's more tempting. But really, the base computer is turned on most of the time anyway, so not a big issue if I can just get it to share w/o extra hardware.

A Workgroup in this context is a Windows peer-to-peer network for sharing files and printers.

All computers need to be in the same Workgroup to access shared resources.

The difference between the print server I linked and they one you linked?

1. About $265

2. One is a HP product and the other is a D-Link product.



I only linked the HP one as I have purchased and set them up at work a time or three and it was the first one that came to mind.

However, for home use, I'd not likely spend the big bucks.

Kind of like purchasing Cisco stuff for an Enterprise and Linksys for home use.

I use one of these Netgear PS101's. It's the same idea but for a parallel printer. I've used MANY of the Dlink equivalent in a professional environment and they've been rather bullet proof. I think you'll like the USB version of it you've listed.

If you want to troubleshoot your situation, you'll have to first mention if you have a firewall other than the MS firewall enabled. But even then you may need to make sure that the MS firewall has the ports open for the file & printer sharing traffic. Same with any third-party firewalls.

you might try browsing the "server" computer on the "client" computer by punching in \\computername at the Start --> Run... dialog.

Right Click My Computer

Select properties

Check the Workgroup name.

All computers must have the name of the same workgroup to share

Name it something like athikerslan or whatever it currently is on the other computers that are able to share thus far.

Well, I guess I'm a little closer. I was able to name a Workgroup for both computers. I can even see the desktop computer in "View workgroup computers" on my laptop. However I can't see the laptop computer listed in the same area of my desktop computer.

I used the "Add Printer Wizard" on my laptop. I selected the "A network printer, or a printer attached to another computer" radio button, then the "Browse for a printer" radio button on the next page. I see my workgroup listed under "Microsoft Windows Network" and highlighted it. I then typed in the name of my printer (the name I gave the printer when I selected it to be shared from the desktop). When I click 'next' I get error message: "Windows cannot connect to the printer. Either the printer name was typed incorrectly, or the specified printer has lost its connection to the server." aargh.

I am using CA Personal Firewall on the server desktop computer that I get as part of my Timewarner cable internet service. I tried disabling the firewall altogether with no change. I don't know how to open specific ports. I also disabled the Windows firewall on the laptop just as a test.

When I try to explore the desktop from the laptop I get nowhere...maybe something needs to be changed as an Administrator? I get error "\\Work1 is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network place. Contact the admin of this server to find out if you have access permissions" Network place not found. Work1 is the desktop computer name.

I also tried start/run then \\Work1 as brentb suggested resulting in: "The network path was not found"

I gotta give up for the night.

Does now sound like a firewall issue.

Any other firewall running besides CA Personal firewall?

Is Windows firewall also running in parallel on the desktop?

Can the desktop see the laptop's default shared folders?

P.S. If you do go in the market for a wireless printer I have the previous model (HP 6980) of this one:

HP 6988

It is Great. Although it does work wireless, I have it directly connected to my router via and Ethernet cable. All my computers can access it through the router/LAN.

If you ran it wireless, in theory you could set in on the back porch and print to it.

It can also connect direct to a computer as a USB connection if you want it dedicated to a single computer, (or shared through one computer like you're trying to do).

I almost gave up on HP since my last printer was a P.O.S. When I was looking again the reviews of this one made me try HP again, I'm very satisfied. Prints fast, ink cartridges last, no problems or jams. Bought a two-sided attachment use dof on ebay for duplex printing capability.

(Replacement cartridges ar $25 a pop though....) Have to budget for the 3 pack at COSTCO...