I've just configured my home network to allow internet access on another computer. the components i used were a seimens speedstream wireless modem which was provided by my isp (Bell Sympatico ADSL- Canada)and a Linksys wireless g usb adapter. now that i have got internet, i would also like to share printers. my printer is a HP LaserJet 4200 . i have no idea whatsoever on how to do this. and if it is possible, i would also like to know how to share a hardrive, or allow files to be sent through the network.
EDIT: I followed the wireless network wizard in the control panel and it says i was successful in making a wireless network. But what do i do now, to transfer files across my network?
First off you need to have "File and print sharing" installed. After that, make both computers part of the same workgroup. If you want to share an entire drive, right click on the drive and select 'Sharing'. Tell it you know what you are doing, and just enable sharing. Give the share a name and click apply. Now go to the second computer and open up 'My Network Places'. You should see the first computer (the one with the shared drive). Double click and you should see the shared drive there, along with another folder for printers I think. Open the drive and away you go. You need to watch persmissions though or else you may not be able to open stuff. You should be able to set it to read/write for Everyone.
Good luck and dont get too frustrated. You'll get it going.
Printer: USB - install the printer software on the main computer, and then in the properties of the printer, you'll have to share the printer. If it's a network printer, install it to the router, then install the software on each computer.
To share files, run the network wizard on each computer, and then share the folders you want to share. Right click any folder or drive, go to Sharing and Security.
i got the folders i want on the network now. thanks guys. i have one question though; if i install an inkjet printer, say an HP photosmart 1115, would i be able to print across my network? would it just tell the other comp on the network to print it? i never got a chance to install my laserjet 4200 because for some reason, windows doesn't detect it, so i have to take it upstairs :( . Anyone else who has a network problem, feel free to hijack the thread.
To get the printer to work, just install it like you normally would on to one of the machines. Once you know it works, right click on it and select Sharing. Give it a name, and click OK. On the other computer, go to "Add a Printer.." Select Network Printer, then "Find a printer in the directory". You can tell it to "Find Now" and it should find it with no problems. If it doesnt, go back a few steps and insetad of "..in the directory", select "Connect to this printer...". Enter \\computername\printername where computername is the name of the computer that the printer is hooked up to and pritnername is the name you gave the printer when you first set up sharing.
This is all from memory, so I hope it makes sense. It should get you going in no time though.
once again, doubledwn, you gave me the perfect instruction. i've managed to get both printers hooked up and shared (after hauling my huge laser printer upstairs). i have one more question though. i am trying to share my optical drive thru the network, and i can, however, it shows up as a folder, not an optical drive. it really isnt that important, but i heard that u can open and closed the drive and i wanna do that to my unsuspecting sister.
