Wireless Home Network

Install a printer on a home network

There are two basic ways to make a printer available to the PCs on your home network:

• Attach it directly to one computer and share it with all the others on a network.
  

• Connect the printer as a stand-alone device on the network itself.
  

This article explains how to do both in Windows. However, you should always first consult the information that came with your model for specific installation and setup instructions.
Setting up a shared printer

Traditionally, the most common way to make a printer available to a home network has been to connect it to one of the PCs and then tell Windows to share it. This is called a shared printer.

The advantage of sharing a printer is that it works with any USB printer. The downside? The host PC always has to be powered up, otherwise the rest of the network won't be able to access the shared printer.

In previous versions of Windows, setting up a shared printer could sometimes be tricky. But a new home networking feature in Windows 7 called HomeGroup has greatly simplified the process.

When a network is set up as a homegroup, printers and certain files are automatically shared. (To learn more about what homegroups do and how to use them, go to the Windows website and search for "HomeGroup: Recommended links.")

If you've already set up a homegroup and want to access a shared printer from another homegroup PC, just follow these steps:
To manually connect to a homegroup printer

1. On the computer the printer is physically connected to, click the Start button , click Control Panel, type homegroup in the search box, and then click HomeGroup.
   

2. Make sure the Printers check box is selected. (If not, select it, and then click Save changes.)
   

3. Go to the computer you want to print from.
   

4. Click to open HomeGroup.
   

5. Click Install printer.
   

6. If you don't already have a driver installed for the printer, click Install driver in the dialog box that appears.
   Note

   • After the printer is installed, you can access it through the Print dialog box in any program, just like a printer that's directly connected to your computer. The computer that the printer is connected to must be turned on to use the printer.
     

Setting up a network printer

Network printers-devices designed to connect directly to a computer network as a stand-alone device-were once found mostly in large offices. No more.

Printer makers are increasingly offering inexpensive inkjet and laser printers that are designed to serve as network printers on home networks. Network printers have one big advantage over shared printers: they're always available.

There are two common types of network printers: wired and wireless.

• Wired printers have an Ethernet port, which you connect to your router or hub via an Ethernet cable.
  

• Wireless printers typically connect to your home network using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technology.
  

Some printers offer both options. The instructions that came with your model should tell you exactly how to install it.

1. Click to open Devices and Printers.
   

2. Click Add a printer.
   

3. In the Add Printer wizard, click Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer.
   

4. In the list of available printers, select the one you want to use, and then click Next.
   

5. If prompted, install the printer driver on your computer by clicking Install driver. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
   

6. Complete the additional steps in the wizard, and then click Finish.
   Tips

   • Make sure that you have permission to use these printers before adding them to the computer.
     

   • You can confirm the printer is working by printing a test page. For details, see Print a test page
     

That sounds more like the security settings on the pc are not set correctly. Should be nothing to do with the card or the laptop. This is just a windoze thing.

Share a drive or folder on the network To share a drive or folder on the network

1. Open Windows Explorer, and then locate the drive or folder you want to share.
2. Right-click the drive or folder, and then click Sharing and Security.
   • If you are sharing a drive, on the Sharing tab, click If you understand the risk but still want to share the root of the drive, click here.
   • If you are sharing a folder, go to the next step.
3. Do one of the following:
   • If the Share this folder on the network check box is available, select the check box.
   • If the Share this folder on the network check box is not available, this computer is not on a network. If you would like to set up a home or small office network, click the Network Setup Wizard link and follow the instructions to turn on file sharing. Once file sharing is enabled, begin this procedure again.

Notes

• To open Windows Explorer, click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Windows Explorer.
• When you share a drive or folder, anyone who has user access to the network can read the contents of that drive or folder. If you want to remove the drive or folder from the network, follow steps 1 and 2 above to get to the Sharing tab. On the Sharing tab, in Network sharing and security, clear the Share this folder on the network check box.
• To allow complete access to the contents of your shared drive or folder, follow steps 1 and 2 above to get to the Sharing tab. On the Sharing tab, in Network sharing and security, select the Allow network users to change my files check box.
• To change the name of your folder on the network, in the Share name text box, type a new name for your folder. This will not change the name of the folder on your computer.
• If you are logged on as a guest (a guest account provides access to the computer for any user who does not have a user account on the computer), you cannot create a shared folder.
• The Sharing option is not available for the Documents and Settings, Program Files, and WINDOWS system folders. In addition, you cannot share folders in other user's profiles.

You have to setup this printer as a Network printer, the PC using it, must Browse for the PC on the network. Setting up a wireless printer is not a complicated matter to accomplish. It can take as short as five steps to get the whole thing done.
Step #1: The Location of the Wireless Printer.
Since more than one computer would be making use of the wireless printer. It makes sense to figure out the best place to put it. The wireless printer should be set up at a place at home or in the office that is accessible to everyone and where there is ample space for paper, printer ink and other such paraphernalia.
Step #2: Bluetooth or Wi-Fi?
There are two connectivity choices when it comes to setting up a wireless printer, and these two choices are none other than Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Most new computers and printers nowadays are equipped with either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi capacities, but if not, it is easy to get a wireless card that can be plugged using a USB port. The only difference is that Bluetooth printers has a smaller range than Wi-Fi.
Step #3: Enable Printer Sharing
The server computer’s operating system must be informed that the printer that will be added to its network is a wireless printer. In Windows Vista, this is done by accessing the network settings in the Control Panel and then activating file and printer sharing in the local area network settings.
Step #4: Share the Printer.
The other computers on the network must also be set up for using the wireless printer. To do this in Windows Vista, open the Control Panel in the classic view and then open Printers. Right click on the printer that is going to be shared, and then open Properties. In Properties, check the box that allows the printer to be a shared device.
Step #5: Continuous Troubleshooting
Wireless networks are prone to interruptions, and so it is important for whoever it is that is maintaining the wireless network at home or at the office to keep the connections to the wireless printer active. Nothing is more irritating that setting up a wireless printer and then encountering numerous glitches afterwards.

http://www.geekgirls.com/windowsxp_home_network.htm

1. All computers should have installed and enabled file and printer sharing, which you can see and change in the properties of the network connection.
2. All computers should have enabled file and printer sharing as an exception for the Windows firewall.
3. Sometimes you need to install the IPX protocol on the network connection.
   

Hi,

Here’s a very short summary of how to create a home network:

1) Create a named Workgroup (computer network name).
In Windows, the defaults are MSHOME or WORKGROUP, but you can choose your own

2) Add computers to the named Workgroup

3) Enable file and/or printer sharing.


Here are some resources to help you:

1. Windows XP has a wizard to walk you through it - see tutorial here

2. For Vista, try this link for a detailed overview: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727037.aspx

These links might help too:
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-create-a-pc-network-workgroup.html

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/connect-to-and-share-files-with-other-pcs-on-your-.html

3. When it comes to sharing folders, there are two main ways to do this. You can either 1) right click the folder and enable sharing through the shortcut menu., or 2) add the file/folder to ‘Shared Documents’ (for XP) or ‘Public Folder’ (for Vista).

Hope this helps, but please come back to Fixya if you have any difficulties. Good luck!

in the router's lan (not wan) configuration - set the dhcp server (gateway address) to be 10.1.10.1. Then set the addresses of the clients (connected to the router) to be assigned addresses from 10.1.10.10 - 10.1.10.20. Set the desktop's TCP/IP address to be 10.1.10.11 (static) with a subnet of 255.255.255.0, and a gateway address of 10.1.10.1. Set the laptop's wireless connection (TCP/IP adapter) to have a static 10.1.10.12 address with same subnet mask and gateway address of desktop. Change the workgroup on both computers to be of the same name (case sensitive here) to a name such as HOMENETWORK. Then on each computer, open up "My Computer" and right click on folders, files or printers that you want to share on your network!

The message for an unplugged network cable, means you have enabled wired network, but the cable isn't there. No problem if you are connected wireless.
To be able to access files on computers over your network, you need to enable filesharing for the desired directories or disks.
Right-click the directory or disk, go to sharing and set the correct settings. Maybe you have to allow for network sharing the first time.

Please post some feedback

hello Danj29,

I suggest you make sure that your Vista is configured to connect to a private network. To do this follow these steps:

1. Click Start, right-click Network, click Properties.
-The Network Sharing Center window displays the network type in parenthesis after the network name.

2. To the right of the network name and type click Customize.
3. In the Set Network Location dialog box, click Private, and then click Next.
4. In the Successfully set network settings dialog box, click Close

By changing your network location type to private, network discovery is automatically enabled in the Sharing and Discovery section of the Network and Sharing Center window. The following additional file and printer sharing options must be manually enabled:

• File sharing
  
• Public folder sharing
  
• Printer sharing
  
• Password protected sharing
  

When all of these sharing and discovery options are enabled, your computer can:

• Locate other computers and devices on your home network and have other computers locate your computer
  
• Share its folders
  
• Share its Public folder
  
• Share its printers
  
• Require user names and passwords for other computers that connect to the shared folders and printers of this computer
  

To enable file sharing, do the following:

1. In the Sharing and Discovery section of the Network and Sharing Center window, click the down arrow next to File sharing.
   
2. Within the File sharing settings, click Turn on file sharing, and then click Apply.
   

To enable public folder sharing, do the following:

1. In the Sharing and Discovery section of the Network and Sharing Center window, click the down arrow next to Public folder sharing.
   
2. Within the Public folder sharing settings, click one of the following:
   
   • If you want to share the public folder so that other computers on the network can access the Public share to open files, but not create or change files, click Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can open files. This is the default setting.
     
   • If you want to share the public folder so that other computers on the network can access the Public share to open files and also create or change files, click Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can open, change, and create files.
     
3. Click Apply.
   

To enable printer sharing and share all of your connected printers, do the following:

1. In the Sharing and Discovery section of the Network and Sharing Center window, click the down arrow next to Printer sharing.
   
2. Within the Printer sharing settings, click Turn on printer sharing, and then click Apply.
   

[Optional] To enable password protected sharing, do the following:

1. In the Sharing and Discovery section of the Network and Sharing Center window, click the down arrow next to Password protected sharing.
   
2. Within the Password protected sharing settings, click Turn on password protected sharing, and then click Apply.
   

Hope you find this helpful info and thanks for using the FixYa service
Kind regards

Dear This is the step You can get a complete home network up and running in 10 easy steps. Here's a summary of what's involved: Take stock of your existing hardware. If you wish to share an Internet connection using Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), choose which computer will be your ICS host. Decide what type of network technology you wish to use. Make a list of the hardware you need for each computer. Install the network adaptors and install your modem on the ICS host computer. Physically cable the computers together. Switch on all computers, printers and other peripherals. Make sure the ICS host is connected to the Internet. Run the Network Setup Wizard on the ICS host. Run the Network Setup Wizard on the other computers on the network. Let's take that step by step. 1. Take stock of your hardware Note each computer's location and its hardware, including peripherals such as printers and modems. 2. Choose your ICS host If you wish to share an Internet connection between your computers using Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), choose which computer will be your ICS host. The ICS host has a direct connection, either by dial-up modem or high-speed link, to the Internet and provides access to the Internet for other computers on the network. Ideally, the host should be a computer running Windows XP. I'll assume you have made this choice in the following steps. Apart from XP's easy handling of ICS, by using an XP computer as your ICS host you get the benefits of using the Internet Connection Firewall. 3. Choose a network technology The most common choices are Ethernet and wireless LANs. For an Ethernet LAN you will need to install a network interface card, or NIC, in each computer and run cabling between the computers. If you don't like the idea of opening your computer to install a network card, look for a USB adaptor instead. Depending on the size of your network, you may also need a network hub or router to provide interconnection between PCs on the LAN. Two PCs can get by using an RJ-45 crossover cable; three or more computers require a hub or multi-speed hub (called a switch). If you have a high-speed Internet connection, a high-speed router is a good option. The Network Setup Wizard includes links to detailed advice about configuring your network, including help on designing a network layout to suit your home. If you opt for a wireless LAN, you'll also need a NIC for each PC (there are versions which use USB adaptors as well). The big benefit for home environments is that a wireless LAN does away with the need for cabling. On the down side, though, wireless LANs tend to be slower, less robust and appreciably more expensive than traditional Ethernet LANs. In particular, wireless LANs do not always live up to their stated working range, and you may find factors such as your home's construction and design, plus interference from other devices affect your wireless LAN's performance. You may need to add an expensive Access Point to extend the range of the LAN and, even so, it may not be sufficient. The bottom line is, if you decide to go the wireless route, make sure the store will refund your money if the LAN will not provide reliable performance within the specified range. 4. Make a list of hardware needed Make a list of the hardware you need for each computer, not forgetting any cabling, and buy it. If you're a little dazzled by the choices and configurations, consider purchasing a networking kit. These kits contain all you need to set up a two- or three-PC network. If possible, look for hardware which features the Windows XP Logo, indicating it is fully compatible with XP. 5. Install the adaptors Install the network adaptors and install your modem on the ICS host computer (you can also let the computers connect to the Internet independently by installing modems on each). 6. Cable the computers Physically cable the computers (and hubs or routers) together. Of course, you won't need to do this if you've chosen to go the wireless route. If you're installing an Ethernet network and have a lot of cabling work to do, you may prefer to get a professional to come in and do this work for you. It won't be cheap, but you can be sure you get the job done correctly and hopefully with minimal damage done to walls, ceilings and floors. 7. Switch it on Switch on all computers, printers and other peripherals. 8. Connect the ICS host Go to the ICS host computer and make sure it is connected to the Internet. 9. Run the Network Setup Wizard on the ICS host To run the Network Setup Wizard on the ICS host, click Start -> Control Panel -> Network And Internet Connections -> Setup Or Change Your Home Or Small Office Network. Follow the instructions in each screen and press Next to continue. XP's Network Setup Wizard takes much of the pain out of setting up a home network. The Network Setup Wizard will guide you through: Configuring your network adaptors (NICs). Configuring your computers to share a single Internet connection. Naming each computer. (Each computer requires a name to identify it on the network.) Sharing the Shared Files folder. Any files in this folder will be accessible to all computers on the network. Sharing printers. Installing the Internet Connection Firewall to guard you from online attacks. 10. Run the Network Setup Wizard on all computers To do so: Insert the Windows XP CD in the first computer's drive. When the XP Welcome Menu appears, click Perform Additional Tasks. Click Setup Home Or Small Office Networking and follow the prompts. Repeat steps 1 to 3 for each computer on your network. Make sure you maintain an active Internet connection on your host computer as you proceed through this process. geekgirl.tip If you don't have a CD-ROM drive on one of the network computers, you can run the Network Setup Wizard from a floppy disk: While running the Network Setup Wizard on the ICS host computer, select the option to copy the Network Setup Wizard to a floppy disk. Once you've completed setup on the ICS host, take the floppy to the next computer and insert it in the drive. Double-click My Computer. Double-click 3½ Floppy (A:). Double-click netsetup.exe. The quickie XP network If you want a really easy networking experience and you have the hardware to support it, consider clean installing Windows XP on two or more computers. First install your network hardware (network interface cards, cabling, et cetera), then perform a new installation of Windows XP. During installation, XP will sense your hardware setup, ask for a name for each computer, and then ask which type of setup you wish to create. Select Typical Settings For A Default Network Configuration. That's it. Provided your hardware is XP-compatible, XP will create a LAN using the workgroup name MSHOME. Using your network Once you have your network up and running, you can easily access other computers on the network via My Network Places (click Start -> My Network Places). The Task Pane in My Network Places lets you access computers on your network and adjust settings. The Task Pane in My Network Places lets you view your network connections and view each of the computers in your workgroup (the workgroup consists of all computers on a network which share the same workgroup name ? by default, XP gives all computers on your home network the workgroup name MSHOME, although you can change this if you wish). When you initially open My Network Places, you'll see icons for the Shared Files folder of each of the active network computers. Sharing a printer With your home network installed, your PC suddenly gains all the advantages of the other PC's on the network. If you've been lusting after your sister's colour photo printer, you can now print directly to it from your own machine. Provided, that is, your sister decides to share her printer. (You might offer to let her share your laser printer in return as an inducement ? sharing works both ways.) To share a printer, on the computer which is directly connected to the printer: Click Start -> Control Panel -> Printers And Other Hardware -> Printers And Faxes. (Note: These steps will be a little different if you're sharing a printer on a PC running a version of Windows other than XP. For example, under Windows Me, you click Start -> Settings -> Printers.) Click the printer you wish to share. Click Share This Printer in the Task Pane. In the printer's Properties dialog, click the Sharing tab. Click Share Name and OK. Make a printer accessible to others on the network by sharing it. Once a printer has been shared you can access it from other computers on the network. To do so: Click Start -> Control Panel -> Printers And Other Hardware. Click Add A Printer. In the Add New Printer wizard, when asked whether the printer is a local or network printer, select the latter. In the next screen, select the option to Browse For A Printer and click Next. Select the appropriate printer from the list and continue with the wizard. Sharing files and folders Sharing a folder is even easier than sharing a printer: Open a folder (such as My Documents), click Make A New Folder in the Task Pane and name your new folder. With the new folder highlighted, click Share This Folder. In the Sharing tab of the Properties dialog box, select Share This Folder On The Network. Provide a descriptive name for the folder. This name should make it easy for others on the network to recognise the folder; it doesn't have to be the same as the folder name you selected in step 1. You can let other people on the network view and edit your files or view them only. If you want to protect your files from tampering, remove the tick from Allow Other Users To Change My Files. There are a variety of ways to access a shared folder. Here's one way: Click Start -> My Network Places -> View Workgroup Computers. Click the computer whose files you wish to access and then click the shared folder. You can create shortcuts to shared folders to make them easier to gdfgf