[kodiak_girl2006]

I work in a small chiropractic office. We have 2 computers, my main office desktop which is running windows XP and my boss has a laptop that runs windows Vista. We got a new printer and it is hooked up to my computer, she wants to be able to print to it from her computer. We have DSL for internet and we both "hardwire" into it. We do not have a wireless system, but we do have a modem thingy so we can use the phones too. I have absolutly no idea how to set anything up, so if someone can talk me thru step by step it would be great!

Kodiak_girl2006

P.S. We live on an island in alaska, so calling the local Tech guy won't work

[midders]

Run the Network Setup Wizard on your XP machine (Start->All Programs->Accessories->Communications->Network Setup Wizard) and follow the step-by-step instructions; if you have a USB flash drive or floppy drive you can make a network setup disk that you can use to setup the Vista machine, otherwise you'll need to run the Network Setup Wizard again on that machine.

To share the printer, open the Printers and Faxes window, right-click on the printer and select Sharing...

If you have any firewall software running on either machine you may need to create a rule that allows printer sharing; see the documentation of your firewall for instructions on how to do this.

Slainte

midders
P.S. to add the printer on the vista machine, open the Printers and Faxes window, choose add new printer, then choose network printer and locate the share that you setup earlier.

[Vikerz]

In addition to midders post, it's also good if you setup a workgroup in your network.

To create workgroup:

> Right click on my computer. Click properties.
> Computer Name tab. Choose Change button.
> Computer Name: Put the name you want.
> (below) Look for Workgroup: Tick the circle
> Put the name you want
> Click OK and so on and Restart the computer.

To Check if your in same workgroup.

> Right click on My Computer. Click Properties.
> Computer Name Tab. Now you will see at the center part the window is the WORKGROUP name.


Cheers!

[Gr3iz]

Alternatively, you can get a small device (print server) that allows you to connect the printer directly to the network. As it is now, your PC has to be powered up for your boss to use the printer. If it were connected as a network device, either of you could access it regardless of the status of the other computer.

BTW -- Welcome to TSG!! An island in Alaska? Sounds nice!

[kodiak_girl2006]

Wow thanks! You guys are so much help!!! The issue I'm having now is that i can't seem to find the "network setup wizard" on the vista machine. I have tried (start-> all programs-> accessories) but then there is no communications tab! I also tried to just search for "network setup wizard" with no luck. I'm pitiful, I'm glad i found this site and I'm excited to be on the site! Oh and living on an island in Alaska is only fun until you live here! Right now its pouring rain, blowing 45mph and 34 Degrees! Ton of fun!