Network geeks, I need some tech support

[htrammel 0]

I am buying a new printer. I would like to be able to network it onto my wireless. I sometimes work from home and use my wireless and work laptop to connect via VPN.
I have a Linksys wireless G router with available ports. Do I need a "network ready" printer? A wireless print server? A wireless network printer? Too many choices available.
It doesn't need to be completely wireless as my primary home pc is a desktop. But it would be nice to be able to rout print jobs to it from either my work or home (wireless) laptops.
So, all you network geeks. What should I buy today?

[ifall 0]

If you are connecting it to your desktop at home just enable print sharing. It doesn't have to be network ready and you don't need to buy any other hardware.

[Cudlo 0]

You can get one designed to be wireless, or get a regular one and hook it up to your Desktop. If you do that you'll need to setup a network with the computers that are going to share it, and enable print sharing on the desktop, then manually add it as a network'd printer on the laptops. Your desktop will have to be turned on when ever you want to print.

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"People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." - Kierkegaard

[htrammel 0]

I'm an idiot. I shared out the printer. I just can't figure out how to make the laptop find it.

[BIGUN 1,488]

Control Panel\Printer\Add a Printer

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[htrammel 0]

Tried that. But the laptop wants to know the URL for the printer. Can't figure out how to find it.

[AggieDave 6]

Share the printer, now to make life easier with XP net(not)working, have the workgroups as the same name on the 'puters. Then you should be able to click through My Network and find the printer and add it via some right clicks. You *may* have to install the drivers from the CD onto your laptop, though.

I really don't like sharing printer's that way on a network, its sooo much easier to simply have a network capable printer and go at it that way.

Atleast, that's the way I remember it through this prescription pain killer haze the damned dentist put me in.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[htrammel 0]

thanks. I think that's what I'll do.
Now, take 2 more and call me in the morning.

[jeiber 0]

Just make your life easy and buy one of these:

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1114037289584&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper

All your computers will work with it, and you don't have to mess with MS Networking, nor do you have to keep your computer on for it to be accessible.

There's another model if you don't have USB.

Shhh... you hear that sound? That's the sound of nobody caring!

[bob.dino 1]

Quote

I'm an idiot. I shared out the printer. I just can't figure out how to make the laptop find it.

The name is \\computer-name\printer-share-name

[Froggy 0]

Quote

Tried that. But the laptop wants to know the URL for the printer. Can't figure out how to find it.

OK, first, let's say you shared your printer as "MyPrinter". Now, let's say your desktop computer name is "MyDesktop". You will need to substitute your real desktop computer name and the share name you gave to your printer.

Then, the UNC pathname (that's how it's called, not URL) for your shared printer will be "\\MyDesktop\MyPrinter". That's it. :)

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