Network Printer

dave22 · 8 Jun 2009 at 16:24

I use a Linksys WRT54GS wireless router. I have the main PC connected via a cable and two others connected via wireless. The main PC has a printer attached to it. I want to be able to print from the other two PCs. I've tried sharing the printer and trying to add it on the other PCs but it can't find anything.

Any ideas?

Dave

swinnie · 8 Jun 2009 at 18:28

Are they in the same workgroup?

What OS are you running on the machines?

dave22 · 8 Jun 2009 at 19:16

They are all running XP. Yeah, they are in the same workgroup and when I try to browse for a printer the other computers appear in the workgroup. There just isn't any printer listed under it.

dave22 · 10 Jun 2009 at 00:24

Any ideas?

crinkleshoes · 10 Jun 2009 at 02:33

Try connecting the wireless computers via ethernet... then see if you can add the printer on those machines.

If you can, great - add them & then they should work over the wireless.

If not, then there's a different problem.

Skidilliplop · 10 Jun 2009 at 09:17

If you can't see the printer you might not have file and printer sharing turned on, or it's not permitted by windows/other firewall. Check that file and printer sharing is enabled on all of them, check it's permitted in the firewall on all of them and on the Print server (the PC with the printer attached) make sure the permissions on the printer allow "everyone" to print. It'd probably also help to give this PC a static IP address. You don't have to but you'll find printing is quicker across the network if it does as it won't have to go hunting for the PC each time you use it.

dave22 · 12 Jun 2009 at 00:28

Skidilliplop said:
If you can't see the printer you might not have file and printer sharing turned on, or it's not permitted by windows/other firewall. Check that file and printer sharing is enabled on all of them, check it's permitted in the firewall on all of them and on the Print server (the PC with the printer attached) make sure the permissions on the printer allow "everyone" to print. It'd probably also help to give this PC a static IP address. You don't have to but you'll find printing is quicker across the network if it does as it won't have to go hunting for the PC each time you use it.

Tried this. No luck still

JaseUK · 12 Jun 2009 at 00:37

I am assuming you have the PC turned on when you try to find the printers.

JaseUK · 12 Jun 2009 at 00:37

crinkleshoes said:
Try connecting the wireless computers via ethernet... then see if you can add the printer on those machines.

If you can, great - add them & then they should work over the wireless.

If not, then there's a different problem.

Did you try this?

dave22 · 12 Jun 2009 at 03:12

JaseUK said:
Did you try this?

Yeah. Both connected by ethernet now but same thing happening.

dave22 · 12 Jun 2009 at 03:13

JaseUK said:
I am assuming you have the PC turned on when you try to find the printers.

Do I have to?

Skidilliplop · 12 Jun 2009 at 09:27

Yes, the PC acts as print server for the printer so the PC with the printer attached MUST be switched on, this includes not being in standby or powersave mode.
Usually I recommend enabling Wake on Lan on this PC so if you need to print and it's off you can wake it up and shut it down remotely.