quick computer question

[Brent S]

Hello all,

Is there an easy way to wirelessly hook a laptop up to our printer?
I failed at finding a store clerk w/ a clue today.

If the answer is "yes" then where do I go and what do I get?

Thanks, Brent

 

[Jerryh3]

Re: quick computer question

What version of Windows are you running? You should just have to go to the "Add printer" icon and select network printer.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: quick computer question

Hello all,

Is there an easy way to wirelessly hook a laptop up to our printer?
I failed at finding a store clerk w/ a clue today.

If the answer is "yes" then where do I go and what do I get?

Thanks, Brent

Is the printer wired up to another computer? How is it connected?

 

[Brent S]

Re: quick computer question

window xp to answer your question Jerry.
Adding the printer with a wire is not a problem, it's the wireless part I'm not sure what I need.

 

[Brent S]

Re: quick computer question

you guys are fast and I thank you!!

It is connected with a usb cable to our desk top.

 

[Jerryh3]

Re: quick computer question

Did you turn printer "sharing" on?

 

[Brent S]

Re: quick computer question

Will turning the sharing on solve the wireless problem?

It works with a cable just not wirelessly.

 

[Jerryh3]

Re: quick computer question

Will turning the sharing on solve the wireless problem?

It works with a cable just not wirelessly.

Turn on sharing, then try to add the printer using the laptop.

 

[Brent S]

Re: quick computer question

I'll try it, thanks

 

[gonefishie]

Re: quick computer question

You need a printer with a wireless network card in it. Otherwise, it ain't happening.

like this

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: quick computer question

I can't do it on this laptop, since I can't join my Home network (where my printer is) due to the company group policy that I'm forced to live with.

 

[Jerryh3]

Re: quick computer question

You need a printer with a wireless network card in it. Otherwise, it ain't happening.

like this

Not really true. If the printer is connected to another computer on the home network, you can share and print from other computers on the network, even wireless ones.

 

[Jerryh3]

Re: quick computer question

I'll try it, thanks

Let's back up one step. Is the laptop connected to a wireless router or access point? Is the computer with the printer connected to the same router?

 

[dellsboater]

Re: quick computer question

If he is not allowed to change his network name on the work computer, it will not see the home network.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: quick computer question

Not really true. If the printer is connected to another computer on the home network, you can share and print from other computers on the network, even wireless ones.

That's true. He would have to set up a home network and leaves the desktop on all the time. Or, turns it on when he wants to print from the laptop.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: quick computer question

I have three printers set up on our network, all of them are connected to our router through a wireless print server, so any computer connected to the network can use the printers.

http://www.google.com/products/cata...og_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDgQ8wIwAA#

 

[dellsboater]

Re: quick computer question

Nice...but the average home user does not have print servers or wireless printers, or printers with cat 45 ports, but they could add one. Wireless printers not connected to a router could work with an ad hock network. Can be tricky to set up but works well.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: quick computer question

None of my printers have network connections, they are all USB devices, the link that I posted is to a USB compatible wireless print server, which is a bit different than the one I purchased a couple of years ago...but still works on the same idea

 

[Brent S]

Re: quick computer question

Thanks MTboatguy and everyone else. The product you linked to is what I thought I would need. I just didn't know if it existed. This should allow my wife to print directly from her laptop and not have to go through this dinasour.

There is a wireless internet router in the house that she uses but to print she has to use a flash drive and put things on here and print them.

Just tryin to make Momma happy!! ( and we don't even have kids)

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: quick computer question

The wireless print server will certainly work but is a bit of a workaround. Inkjet printers have a life expectancy of about 3 years so if you're getting near that point, you might want to take a look at buying a printer with wireless capability and do the job right.

With either one you'll need to add the device and it's drivers to your existing system so the work to connect is probably about the same.