How do I connect a printer and share files on a netgear wireless ADSL router?
Q. Hi people. Im wondering if you can help. I have got a Windows XP Professional Laptop and a Windows XP Home Edition standalone PC. The standalone PC is wired up to a netgear wireless adsl router via an ethernet cable and the laptop is paired up with the adsl wireless router via a 108 MBPS WIRELESS USB 2.0 ADAPTER. I have set up the internet connection using the netgear software, but now I am wondering how I can add a printer to the netgear box so the laptop can send documents to print to the printer via the standalone pc? Will I have to use Windows own networking system or use the netgear software?? Im am really stuck here.
Also is it possible to share files as well as the printers via the wireless router too? Thankyou
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To network a printer, you need a printer with built-in networking, or you need a network adapter for your printer. An example would be http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833124042
Windows XP allows you to share documents between networked computers. Check the Windows XP help for information about file sharing. You can designate specific files to be shared.
First you need to find out if your printer is capable of being networked? If yes it will have a Ethernet connection and plugging it into the router and following the instructions provided by the printer manual should walk you through setting it up.
If your printer is stand alone and must be hooked directly to a computer then once you add the printer to the PC you simple RIGHT click on the printer queue and choose the SHARE and SECURITY option. This will allow all other PCs in your network to see the new print queue. If you go to My Network Places once you add the printer you should see the new share.
The above is also true for sharing data, simple click on any folder you wish others to see and find the option. Going to My Network Places will display the new share.
But the bottom line is YES you can add the printer for both laptop and desktop print with your current setup.
For step by step instructions use the “Help and Support Center” on your Windows XP laptop, you can get to it by hitting the ‘windows logo’ + F1. Then do a search for “printer” and it will guide you through adding and sharing your printer on a network.
Good luck,
if your going to have the printer connected to the Desktop then whenever you print from your laptop, the desktop has to be on. If your going to connect the printer to the router instead, it doesnt matter..as long as the computer u’re printing from is on. lol.
connecting and sharing with desktop:
connect the printer to the desktop and install all neccessary drivers and ect. on the desktop. With your laptop, go to [Start] > ‘Control Panel’ > ‘Printers and Faxes’. On the toolbar click ‘File’ > ‘Add Printer’.
Follow the Wizard to install the printer onto the laptop.
connecting and sharing with router:
inorder to connect the printer to your router, the printer will need to be network compatible or you will need to get an adapter(Adapters aren’t hard to find. can just go to best buy or something). once the printer is connected to the router, depending on your type of printer and model, you can just do the same thing as ‘sharing with your desktop’. Go to your ‘Printers and Faxes’ and then ‘Add Printer’. Some printers just require you to put the install cd that the printer came with when trying to setup the printer on a network.
like i said before, if u choose to go with the desktop setup, whenever u try to print from your laptop, the desktop HAS TO BE on.
Good Luck!
if u have any other questions, feel free to e-mail me.