I have an XP sustem, and a windows 98 system. The win98 system has the printer on it. I have created the network, and the two computers show in the workgroup. I can access the internet through both computers as well. I have enabled the sharing option for the printer under the printer properties as well. I still cannot figure out how to print a document from the XP computer on the printer, because when I go to add a printer, it says that it cannot find the printer. I am running this network through a Linksys router, the 4 port model. Everything else is working, but my limited knowledge will not allow me to figure out where I am going wrong. Could anyone please help out a befuddled learner? :tup:

this is how I usually do it

first of all verify that the printer is shared out, go to the properties of the printer and create share name. Once you have the printer shared out you can go to start, run and type in \\(name of pc where pc is installed on)\ (share name you gave the printer)

this will usually push the print path down to your pc you are trying to print from

there may be some issues with driver compatibility, if that is the case, you can install the driver on the XP machine as a local printer, install the driver on lpt 1, say no to test page. Once the driver is installed go to the properties of the driver, remember this is on the XP machine, go to the PORTS tab and add a local port, this is where you would type in the same path as earlier, \\(name of pc where printer is installed)\share name

this should do it for you

good luck

I don't think you need to add the printer because XP should detect it automatically.

Try printing something from 98 and if that works try printing something from XP.

If the printer is shared then it should appear in the list of printers when you want to print something.


Roger

Thanks for the help. It still doesn't work, though. I have found that I do not have access to the network path. The internet sharing works, though. The name that I named the other computer shows up, it IS in the workgroup, but I do not have access to the network path. Ideas?

Do you have any firewalls?

Are you sure you are sharing the printer?


Roger

yes, sharing enabled.

Firewalls, do not think so.

How do I klnow?

If you were running a firewall you'd know.

On the 98 pc is there a picture of a hand under the printer? If there is then I don't know why is isn't working.


Roger

Yes, there is a picture of a hand underneath the printer.

On Win98 machine, I went into control panel, networking, and made sure that the option to allow file sharing and allow printing on the printer there was enabled as well.

I believe the linksys router has it's own firewall protection, but I do not remember enabling or disabling it. For firewalls, or virus protection for that matter, I would rather have the speed of the connection and simply reformat or use command line instructions with McAfee to remove viruses. Only had to do 2 times in 3 years, so no big deal to me. I have no sensitive material on the 'puters hooked to the net.

Also double checked and the printer is checked to allow sharing as well.

Any ideas anyone?

You could always move the two pcs next to each other and try to network them without the hub.

That way you could see if that was it. I don't think it will be though.

You could also try putting the printer on the XP pc and seeing if the 98 pc can use it.


Roger

That is a good idea. I will try that out, removing the router. Might not be able to get back to the board until tomorrow, but I will try.


Thanks for all your help and advice.

Still could not figure things out. I will take a stab at it tomorrow.