Author Topic: Networking a printer (Read 3849 times)

Clive · « **on:** March 29, 2005, 23:43 »

I have 2 identical XP Home computers and both contain network cards. They already share a BB connection and now I would like to go one step further by sharing an Epson Stylus CX3600 printer which is already connected to one of the machines. How difficult a task is this to carry out?

Simon · « **Reply #1 on:** March 30, 2005, 00:17 »

I would think it's 'simply' a matter of running XPs File and Printer Sharing Wizard, Clive, but you might find this helpful:-

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/broadbandnetworking/10_concept_printer_share.mspx

Sandra · « **Reply #2 on:** March 30, 2005, 00:22 »

It should be straight forward Clive.
When you set the network up did you set it to allow file and printer sharing or just use the router with no file sharing at all ?
If its set up with file and printer sharing then open the printer folder on the pc that its installed on, right click on the printer icon and select the share option.
If its not set up for file and printer sharing then run the network wizard on both pcs again.
Select the option "This computer connects through another pc or a residential gateway" then enable file and printer sharing.
At the end of the wizard select "Just finish the wizard" then run the wizard on the second and subsequent pcs

Clive · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2005, 08:26 »

That will be my task for this afternoon! Thanks very muchio. 8)

Clive · « **Reply #4 on:** March 30, 2005, 14:24 »

Unsurprisingly, I may need further assistance to get this working.

The printer is installed on Machine No.2 and works fine on that. I've right clicked the Epson printer icon to allow sharing. It seems to be called EPSONty.

In "My Network Places" on both machines, it shows both computer "names" which suggests that they are both networked to together for file sharing etc.

Do I need to install printer software or drivers on the two computers because there is no mention of the Epson on computer No.1

Lona · « **Reply #5 on:** March 30, 2005, 14:27 »

I think you would have to put the software on pc that's not go it on.

I had to do that with my HP printer with other pc.

Sandra · « **Reply #6 on:** March 30, 2005, 14:47 »

In Network Places it should show all the shared folders as well Clive so it may not be set to file and printer sharing. From reading Simons article it would only need the drivers installing on the other pc if it was a different OS, as yours are both on XP then I would have thought it should work without installing again. It wont hurt to try installing the printer again but I think that you will probably need to run the network wizard again on both pcs and choose the file and printer sharing option

Clive · « **Reply #7 on:** March 30, 2005, 16:34 »

Is a "residential gateway" internet connection a fancy name for a router? :roll:

Sandra · « **Reply #8 on:** March 30, 2005, 17:43 »

Yes Clive, just do as I said on my first reply and you should be fine

Clive · « **Reply #9 on:** March 30, 2005, 19:51 »

I've done everything now and it refuses to work!

I've created file sharing and printer sharing and there are icons on both computers to say that it's activated. I've loaded all the sofwtare too and when I try to print it sends it to the Epson print queue but eventually throws up an error message. :chuckpc:

Simon · « **Reply #10 on:** March 30, 2005, 20:02 »

Quote from: "Clive"

I've done everything now and it refuses to work! I've created file sharing and printer sharing and there are icons on both computers to say that it's activated. I've loaded all the sofwtare too and when I try to print it sends it to the Epson print queue but eventually throws up an error message.

...which is...? :roll:

Clive · « **Reply #11 on:** March 30, 2005, 22:23 »

Nothing less exciting than "This document has not printed"

Sandra · « **Reply #12 on:** March 30, 2005, 22:35 »

Uninstall the printer and reinstall it as a local printer but shared Clive.
maybe its down as a network printer and doesnt expect it to be sharing a router :?

Clive · « **Reply #13 on:** March 30, 2005, 22:58 »

Presumably it does the sharing via the ethernet Sandra? I'm not supposed to link the computers together with other cables too?

Sandra · « **Reply #14 on:** March 30, 2005, 23:12 »

The ethernet cables and router should work it fine Cive, I dont use my printer much so havent got that on my network but I have set them up on friends networks through a router without any problems