Best way to network a HP LaserJet 4L with 2-wire gateway?

If you want to hook up the printer directly to your wireless gateway, you could get a print server. They are made for usb or parallel printers and run about $40 to $70 for a single printer hookup. Run the software that comes w/ it to create network settings and for installation.

Go to Start>Settings>Printers (Not sure if that's how it is on the 98, going from a 2000 perspective here. If that option isn't there head into the control panel and look for printer options.)

Afterward right-click your primary printer and select, "Properties." Select the tab at the top reading, "Sharing." Select the option that enables the printer to be shared on the network. Afterward press Apply then OK.

Now you will have to notify all computers that this networked printer is now the default printer, your 98 being the exception of course. To do this you will have to go to the same region as above. Start>Settings>Printers (Or Start>Control Panel, then find an option for your printer.) Afterward go to File>Add Printer (Or something similar). This wizard will eventually ask you if you want to add a printer connected to your computer or a networked computer, obviously you will want to select the Network option. Afterward you will want to, "Browse" for the printer.

In this area you will want to double-click the root network. It is highlighted in this screen shot. (If not shown, proceed to the area below marked, "Creating a Network.")

Now double-click the Network Name. The network name is under the root network as in this screen shot. (If not shown, proceed to the area below marked, "Creating a Network.")

Then select the printer from the list and press, "Next." The printer list will look similar to the one in this screen shot. (If the printer is not shown there is some form of issue with sharing or the printer is not being shared correctly.)

Now you will probably have to install Printer Drivers. If for some reason the drivers won't install successfully, you will have to find the printer's driver CD and stick it into the CD-ROM drive of the computer(s) where you're trying to add the networked printer. Afterward you can tell the setup wizard to scan the CD-ROM drive for suitable drivers. At this point setup should automatically install the drivers needed to send documents to the networked printer.


Happy printing!



Creating a Network:

Depending on the router you're hooked up to, you may or may not have to configure it. Let's go about this in a method that you do not have to configure your router to setup this network.

Setting up a network is fairly simple. All you really do is setup a network workgroup, name your computer, and you're in! To do this we head to our computer's desktop and right-click the, "My Computer" icon. Now go to Properties. This section varies between the Windows Operating Systems, on Windows XP it is listed as, "Computer Name." However, you will want to browse through the tabs looking for a section with options for your computer name and workgroup. This screen shot should give you an idea of what you're looking for.

The, "Workgroup" is the name of your network. The Computer Name is the name of your computer on the network. You will want to go to every computer connected to your router and change its, "workgroup" to the same one. For instance, if you want your network to be called, "mypersonalnet" you would go to all the computers in your house and rename the workgroup, "mypersonalnet."

Afterward press OK and you will be prompted to restart your computer. After restarting you should be a part of the new network.