[ygmgbg]

I have 2 computers one has been installed with Windows Vista and the other one with XP. I want to make them share a printer and DSL internet. I think a router and a Ethernet crossover cable will be sufficient. Anyone can tell me how to configure the computers to share a printer and Internet?

thank you very much

[ygmgbg]

anyone?

[durant125]

You should probably post in the network forum. I don't know about sharing vista and xp. But a crossover cable is only needed if you connect 2 computers to each other.My recommendation is a Router, 3 straight cat5e (ethernet) cables, and whatever cable your printer needs (usb, ethernet, firewire, etc.). If your printer takes ethernet that is the best way to go.
That way you can hook everything up through the router. Then the router to the modem.

[pcrepairguy]

First off you should not use the crossover cable, just a router with regular RJ45 cables. Set up as follows

Plug modem into router's WAN or Internet port (depends on router brand)
Plug PCs in router 1, 2, 3 or 4 ports.

You will have to configure router with the user ID and password if you are using DSL

Now VISTA seems to have a lot of issues when sharing a printer with a XP box, at least I sure experienced that! I am assuming here that the printer will be on the XP box. Here's how I did it but perhaps other guys here have a better way:

Plug the printer to be shared in the VISTA box and let it install

Plug the printer back into the XP box, enable sharing on this printer (right click, left click sharing)

Go to the Vista box and right click on the printer you previously installed, go to PROPERTIES

Go to ports and select ADD NEW PORT
use \\the pc's name\share name of the printer as the portname
example : \\upstairspc\laserjet

You can get the PC's name by right clicking My Computer, PROPERTIES


I know this is crazy but its the only way I could get it done on my network...if you try the add a printer applet you always get "wrong driver" message.

[Wabem]

pcrepairguy is correct I do believe, this is one of the major flaws in vista I think... Epically with x64 versions. The way that I shared my was following the instructions on this website. It is not made for vista but is easily tailored to work (everything is about the same). I had my printer hooked up to my vista machine and it worked fine after I followed that guide.

[durant125]

Thats how we installed all our printers, better habit. We had Windows 98, XP, 2000, and Me machines and installing as a local on each system 1st is then changing the port is the way to go. Like i said before if you printer has a NIC, this is the way the way to go than just plug it into your router than it will be independent of both machines.

[funnypanks]

easiest way to share a printer from an xp machine to a vista machine is to install the vista drivers on the xp machine. then from ur vista machine click network then the xp machine then the printer and the printer will configure by itself. just worked on 3 of my vista machines which are connected to 1 xp machine. sorry but the above mentioned method didnt work for me.

[wjm67z]

that's all well and good. i've done those things even b4 coming to this forum finally got the printers shared... but...


problem i have is vista comp sees the network and can interact and map the xp drives, but the xp comps we have can't see the vista comp when we try to map the network drives... it's almost like it's invisible...


any takers?

[DaveA]

I have NOT had to add a "NewPort" on any of my Vista machines using a printer on a XP machine.
The printers are a HP Lazerjet 2100 and a HP Deskjet 1220c. Just browse to them from within Windows Explorer, right click the printer name and select connect. Follow the instuctions and all works just fine.

On the Vista machine have you made a share?

[mrss]

Start > Network and click on "Network and Sharing Center" tab

You need to be set up as a public network with the appropriate settings under "sharing and dsicovery". And after that, any firewall has to be configured.

My PC uses Norton, and I had to go in there and enter the IP's of all the PC's on my network. Then I had to redefine some of the rules. Lots of trial and error for me.

[JohnWill]

Windows XP And Vista On The LAN Together