Anyone here a networking guru / wireless etc.
 

I just got a wireless router, which is working nice with our laptop, and I am still plugged in with this desktop. I started to do the network setup wizard that XP provides, but it went into all this crap about making 1 pc an internet gateway and what not, and when I read about it, it says the host pc has to be on for the other pc to get net.

What I don't understand is why that makes any difference, cause the router sends a hardline to my pc, and wireless to hers. It's plugged directly into the modem so my pc shouldn't have anything to do with hers getting net.

Either way, all I wanna do it share a printer. I read that she can print wirelessly through our router if my pc is plugged into the printer, and both pc's have the drivers installed. Thats basicly what I wanna do, without sharing all the files and etc on my pc. Either way I want my pc password protected otherwise. I don't like having my files accessible by the network, in case someone hacks our wireless they can have access to my files and all that.

If anyone knows an easy way to share a printer, without buying a wireless version, shoot me a Pm or e-mail or post or something. I am kinda stuck.

Thanks!

Stu

RE: Anyone here a networking guru / wireless etc.
 

It's doable. You will want to put your computers into the same workgroup by doing this:

start>control panel>system. Click the computer name tab, then click the "change" button. Put your computers in the same thing, and I think you should be okay after that. If not post back, you might have to add a port on the printer idk cuz i haven't done it in a while.

The computer that's plugged directly into the printer has to be on in order for the spooler service to be active, so keep that in mind.

RE: Anyone here a networking guru / wireless etc.
 

You need to have one computer hooked up hard wired to the router to set everything up. Once the router is all setup and you are able to get the laptop connected wireless, than you better make sure to setup some security. I know my neighbor didn't know they were giving me free internet for a year :) ..... You need both computers on the same workgroup and share printing on the computer that the printer is hooked up to.

You need the printer on and the computer that the printer is on at all times. The only way around this is to by a printer server, which is basically another router that goes between the printer and your router.