Computer Networking Question

[OCcaptain]

Ok, here's what I have. Cable internet service with a wireless router. Three computers one desk top, and two laptops. The desktop is hardwired into the modem and the printer/scanner is hooked to it. The laptops connect thru the the wireless router. My question is, what do I have to do so that I can print directly to the printer from the laptops? Do I have to creat a network? If so where do I start?

Thanks!!!

[clt_capt]

There are really 2 ways to do it.
1) Set up your Desktop machine as a print server -
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infoce.../etr1mst46.htm

2) Buy a network print server, hook your printer to that and all of the machines can print to it;

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satel...VisitorWrapper


Option 1 doesn't require any more gear than you have, but is a bit more difficult to setup. Option 2 will cost you about $100 but is easier to setup...

[flatbottom]

Lets do it the easy way. Find your printer on the network using the desktop.(you stated the printer was jacked to the desktop via usb or parallel port I assume.) Right click it and select share. Now name the printer that is shared. Every computer behind the firewall(router) will be able to print to the shared printer. Example: Find a document in word ..using the laptops or top. Print the document. A screen will ask what printer to use. Remember the shared printer you named. It should show in the list of printers. Select it and use as the default printer for that laptop or tops. Have a great day !

The printer can be found using control panel on the desktop when beginning the share process....flat

[OCcaptain]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll let you know how it works out.

[OCcaptain]

Lets do it the easy way. Find your printer on the network using the desktop.(you stated the printer was jacked to the desktop via usb or parallel port I assume.) Right click it and select share. Now name the printer that is shared. Every computer behind the firewall(router) will be able to print to the shared printer. Example: Find a document in word ..using the laptops or top. Print the document. A screen will ask what printer to use. Remember the shared printer you named. It should show in the list of printers. Select it and use as the default printer for that laptop or tops. Have a great day !

The printer can be found using control panel on the desktop when beginning the share process....flat

Thanks, It's working like a champ!!

[flatbottom]

........

[OCcaptain]

I should have know how to do that, but I depend on the network guys at work to do all that stuff. Anyway it's easier to ask somebody on here than to read the help page.

[flatbottom]

The process works with any file, scanner, drive, coffee maker,,,,well I wish coffee maker you can plug a warmer in to the usb link