Networking Help

[Sakuya]

Hi. I need some help with networking. Here's my situation. I have two computers connected by a router (Netgear) so both computers can use one Internet hub. I want to connect the printers so both computers can use the printer. Here's an outline:

Computer 1: link to Computer 2
Computer 2: has 1 printer

The printer is connected to computer 2. And I want it so that in computer 1, I get configure it so that whenever I click "Print" on computer 1, the printing process will be forwarded to the printer connected to computer 2. Anyone following me? :confused: Any help is appreciated!

Something I should note is that even though they have a working link, I cannot copy files from one computer and paste it into another computer. It used to work but after I bought a new computer and trashed the old one, it doesn't work anymore (they're link for using the Internet works though).

[Mac Sidewinder]

What os are you using? If you are using XP you can simply run the network wizard and setup a home network and share the printer between the two. Just follow the instructions.

Mac

[jernst]

If you can't see both computers in your network neigbourhood but still can access Internet, you might have a different Workgroup configured in your computers (for example "MSHome" and "Workgroup" if you don't have the same versions of Windows).

As advised you can use the wizard provided by windows but making it manually is even more simple:

1)Be sure that both computers are on the same subnet*
2)Be sure that they are in the same workgroup**
3)When it's done go share your printer (right click on the printer and share it)
4)With the other computer, go in your network neigbourhood, double click on the computer with printer name
5)right click on the printer and click "connect"

If you want to print even when your first computer is shutdown, buy yourself a printserver (~50$/€) this'll avoid all these steps.

------------
* you are already if both computer can access Internet trough the router.

** right click on "My Computer" and click on "Network identification" or something like this

[Sakuya]

We're both using Windows 2000 Professional. I will do that and get back to you on it. :)

Edit:
Okay, on the computer with the printer, I right-clicked the printer name in the Printers folder in Control Panel and shared it. Then, on the other computer, I went into My Network Places and I did not see the printer name icon. When I go to the Printers folder, I don't see the printer either. :(

[neo75903]

also make sure you are not running firewalls or have them configured to allow local net shares on each pc.
Also something to know is in order to share printers and folders your pc2 must be logged in to an user account.

I have a similar setup at home, and the pc with printer does not start sharing until someone is logged in.

[Sakuya]

I don't really have separate accounts for both of my computers. So it's just the main accounts. Also, I'm not sure if I have any firewalls since I was not the one to configure Netgear. Anyway, can any more people help with this problem? I shared the printer but it doesn't show up on computer #1. :(

[neo75903]

I mean with account as user logged in to your windows 2000.

First things first.
Do you see other computers in your network neighbourhood?
Can you share files?

[Sakuya]

Yes, I forgot to make an outline for how Netgear is configured:

Computer 1: link to Computer 2 for printing
connected to main router

Computer 2: has 1 printer
linked to Computer 1 for Internet sharing

So on Computer #1, when I go to My Network Places, I see Computer #2. However when I double-click it, it prompts me for a username and password. When I got my new computer a few months ago, my uncle taught me how to transfer files from Computer #1 to #2 but I forgot how. :( I remember I had to check off an option in a program before I could but I don't remember what.

[neo75903]

Access prob can be solved by two ways, both are user account related.

1. enable your guest account, you can give it a try by enttering 'guest' and blank password when asked.
I think the guest account is enabled by default, if not follow this.
- on pc2
- Right mouse click on 'my computer', select 'manage'
- In computer management window, 'Local Users and Groups'
- 'Users'
- Right mouse click on 'Guest', select 'properties'
- remove the tick at the 'account is disabled'
- [OK]

To check if an folder can be accessed by guest account:
- in folder properties, goto share tab.
- eneable 'share this folder'
- [permissions]
- [add]
- select 'Guests' and 'everyone'
try access the folder again.

2. instead of enabling the guest account, you can enter an valid user name and password when asked.

i think it is weird you have pc1 on pc2 for internet sharing, caint doesnt your router have an sharing function?
something like:

internet --- router --- pc1
|
|
pc2

or like at ours:

internet --- cable modem --- router --- pc1
|
|
pc2