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    Using a printer hooked up to a WinXP PC as a network printer?

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by nemt, Sep 26, 2011.

  1. nemt

    nemt Notebook Deity

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    Hey everyone, I'm trying to set up yet another less than optimal solution in my parents' house. There are three PCs here, all with different versions of Windows (XP, Vista and 7) and only one printer - hooked up to the WinXP desktop. I know the easy solution would be to hook up the printer directly to the router, but that's not an option for various reasons. Is there a way to keep the printer where it is now and have it set as a shared network printer for the other PCs on the wifi network?
     
    nemt, Sep 26, 2011
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  2. downloads

    downloads No, Dee Dee, no! Super Moderator

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    It's possible but that works only if the host computer is on- otherwise the printer is unavailable.
     
    downloads, Sep 26, 2011
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  3. nemt

    nemt Notebook Deity

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    As far as I know they leave the desktop on 24/7, so that shouldn't be a problem.
     
    nemt, Sep 26, 2011
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  4. downloads

    downloads No, Dee Dee, no! Super Moderator

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    It should be shared in the same way you share folders in Windows.
    Even the same service used to be responsible for both.
     
    downloads, Sep 26, 2011
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  5. nemt

    nemt Notebook Deity

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    Not familiar with either function, unfortunately. It's not something I've ever configured before.

    Will I need to set it up on every PC on the network, or just enable it on the PC it's connected to and then they'll all recognize it?
     
    nemt, Sep 26, 2011
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  6. makaveli72

    makaveli72 Eat.My.Shorts

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    Hey OP, you could try using this guide to see if you get through.

    Usually you should be able to connect the other two computers to the printer by simply doing a search via Windows Explorer for the XP machines' IP. For ex. if the XP computers' IP address is 192.168.1.3 typing that in Win. Explorer and hitting enter should list the printer (provided you've done at least from step 1 - 3 above; and they are all on the same network) then you just right click the printer and select connect.

    BTW, 'File and Printer' sharing needs to be enabled on all machines. If not sure how to do this just do a simple google search for 'enabling file and printer sharing in xp..etc'

    And it helps if they are all fully updated with MS Updates. (seeing that they are different Windows flavors.)
     
    makaveli72, Sep 26, 2011
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  7. nemt

    nemt Notebook Deity

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    Sounds easy enough. I don't need to install drivers on the other PCs though, right?
     
    nemt, Sep 26, 2011
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  8. nemt

    nemt Notebook Deity

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    The host PC is WinXP, the two remote PCs are Vista and 7 - will it be able to support drivers for newer versions of Windows?
     
    nemt, Sep 27, 2011
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