Sharing a printer across a wireless network

**dfr200764** · #1 27th Jan 2008, 15:13

Hi

I have installed a wireless network so that the computer in the bedroom next door can share the internet with my computer, which is connected to a dsl router. I have also been trying to share the printer connected to my PC with the one next door so my kids can print stuff from here, but to no avail. Both have Vista as the OS although the one next door is Vista basic. I have gone into the Network and Discovery centre, switched on print sharing, also made sure both have the same workgroup name and changed the network to private....basically I think i have done everything needed. When I go next door and try to click on 'add printer' (network), it can not locate one on the network. Do I physically have to give the printer a name or IP address or something or is the problem likely to be the firewall (on either PC) blocking access ? I have got Norton IS 2007 on mine and cant see how to configure it to permit print sharing !

Any advice would be appreciated.

many thanks in advance.

Dean

**serverguy** · #2 27th Jan 2008, 15:31

You are right, Norton is probably blocking it. I've had this problem before. It can be a pain in the butt.

First try going here and doing the steps listed.
http://service1.symantec.com/support...on_nam&seg=hho

That should do it.

There are a few other things I recommend you do that can help get things working.

Go to Windows Update and download any updates. They are always fixing Networking problems.
Reboot all the computers. Seems simple but it really does help

Post back with the results

**dfr200764** · #3 27th Jan 2008, 15:47

I did what you said and went to configure my firewall but what I then discovered was very alarming !!! I clicked on Trust Control and then clicked on the active tab to discover this : It says ' you are currently connected with the following networks :
security / description

then under 'description' it says :

the network whose gateway physical adress is 00147F AB97E with DOMAIN Ian

that aint my network !!!!!

I assume I restrict it ASAP ????

**serverguy** · #4 27th Jan 2008, 15:56

I suggest you try restricting it and see what happens....

If you loose internet then something else is happening.

Are you near other wireless networks?

**dfr200764** · #5 27th Jan 2008, 16:18

just checked and there arent any other networks in the area though usually there are 3 - 4 around and normally these are all secure ( ha ha)

i have restricted that network and my internet is still working !

**serverguy** · #6 27th Jan 2008, 16:29

Can you see your network there though? Can you a get printer sharing to work now?

The problem might be that that was your network. Your other computer may no longer have internet access if Norton was installed on the computer hosting the internet connection....

**dfr200764** · #7 28th Jan 2008, 01:03

only this PC has Norton, the other one next door doesn't though it has a 'free' firewall programme. I might just temporarily disable the firewalls on both PC's just to see if I can add the printer.

**serverguy** · #8 28th Jan 2008, 11:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfr200764

only this PC has Norton, the other one next door doesn't though it has a 'free' firewall programme. I might just temporarily disable the firewalls on both PC's just to see if I can add the printer.

That would be a good idea, but make sure you remember to re-enable them again.

**dfr200764** · #9 28th Jan 2008, 12:29

Alas ! it doent seem to make a blind bit of difference. Are there any settings on the router that i can adjust ? Its a thompson speedtouch 585 router. Another thought is trying to create a remote desktop from the PC next door to access this one ?? What do you think ?