how to print from a wireless laptop

Hi- if anyone could give me instructions geared for dummies I'd really appreciate it. This is my set-up: desktop running XP Pro connected to wireless router and cable modem. The printer is directly connected to the desktop unit. I have a laptop connecting to the network via wireless.
My friend suggested that I buy a DP-301U - D-link print server, which I did. But now I am confused. Is this the right thing, or should I have bought a wireless print server? Or do a need a print server at all?
In case it makes a difference, I always leave my desktop on. I am looking to be able to print directly from my laptop.
Thanks in advance for your help....

I know this question has been addressed before, but I couldn't follow the explanations, maybe because they didn't directly address my question, so I apologize for the redundancy.
Also- one other thing- I don't know if that matters- I access the wireless connection via the Atheros client and not via Windows wireless client

 

Well, to be honest, a print server might make things a bit easier or harder depending on the way you look at it.

A print server allows it to have an IP address assigned to it and have it hooked up directly to your network. This will allow anybody that's connected to your network to get access to the printer. A wireless print server will do the same, but it doesn't need to be connected to the router via a cable.

There's 2 ways you can hook this up, with or without the print server.

Without the print server, it's a matter of sharing it out.

1. Connect printer to desktop and install all drivers and make sure it works fine
2. Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Network Connections -> Right click Local Ara Connection -> Properties -> Make sure File & Print Sharing enabled (enabled by default, but just make sure) -> Click Ok and close the Network Connections window
3. In Control Panel > Double click Printers & Faxes -> Right click your printer you want to share & select Sharing
4. Under the Sharing Tab select Share This Printer & enter a name for the Share (Anything you want, just so you know what it is when you see it or you can leave it as default) & Click OK
5. Click Start -> Run -> CMD & then click OK (a command prompt window will appear
6. Type IPCONFIG & hit enter and write down the IP address (this will give you the IP address of your desktop so we can access the printer, should be something like 192.168.1.100 or something like that) -> type EXIT and hit enter
7. Now from the wireless notebook notebook go to My Computer
8. On the Address bar at the top of the window, type in \\(IP address) [example: \\192.168.1.100] (without any brackets) and hit enter
9. You should now get a list of some folders on your desktop including your printer you just shared
10. Just double click on that printer and it will want to install the drivers on your notebook. Just say it's OK and when it's done, you should have that same printer on your notebook. Just print and you should be OK.

*** Note: The only downside to doing this method is that the desktop must always be on fo you to be able to print. This just shares from your desktop system, so if it's off, no more printing capability until you turn your desktop back on.

But this can be bypassed by using the Print Server. This option assigns an IP address to that printer so anyone on the network can access it, whether or not the desktop is on since the printer is connected to the Print Server, and the Print Server is connected to the Router.

To setup the Print Server and allow for printing:

Follow the Quick Installation Guide that came with your Print Server (too much to type since you already have the guide) or you can download from the below link:

http://www.dlink.com/products/support.asp?pid=165&sec=0

Just follow the steps in the guide as it gives all the instructions on how to setup the Printer Server and also how to setup the printer on both your desktop and notebook. Once done, you should be able to print from any computer at anytime without needing a specific system to be on.

Good luck. Just drop me a line if you need any more help or clarification.

-Vb-