Wireless Printing - Comments Page 5

My desktop is a Dell 4550 running Windows XP Pro, connected to a HP PSC2410 photosmart printer. I just got a laptop - an HP Pavilion dv2000 running Vista Home Premium.

I followed your instructions and when I tried to "add a printer" to my laptop I keep getting the message "Windows cannot connect to the computer. Access is denied." I tried turning off my firewall but that did not help. Suggestions? Thanks!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Maybe there's a firewall on BOTH computers?

I have a toshiba laptop running on vista in my office my dektop runs on XP and is connected to a lynksys router my dell 1125 printer works on that printer great. at home is a different story my desktop connected to a lynksys as well usink a dell942 printer i acant get the laptop to print on that printer i did the same setup as in the office but to no avail. i called dell yesterday and after trying to connect me they said that the printer needs to be wireless integrated and the 942 isn't, doesnt make sense to me but maybe that is the reason.....

I have a desktop with XP hooked to a h p photosmart printer. I just got a new laptop with vista and everything works grate. When i turn off the desktop i cant print from the laptop how can i fix this problem.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Turn on the desktop.

Hi, I have a new wireless brother 2170W laser printer. I have a mac running 0SX and a laptop running XP. I finally have the mac printing wirelessly and I HAD the latptop printing wirelessly but somehow overnite something happened and now my printer icon in the lower right corner says "offline". I called for tech support (for about the 5th time) and finally he said he was going to escalate it to some senior tech or something after running me through the uninstall reinstall drill with no success. My printer shows in the control panel. I just dont' understand what it could be. I have worked on this all day with no success and any help or suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

Trying to get the printer set up using my laptop. I see the main computers printer on my computer but a box appears reading a follows. "You need to specify a valid printer network name" How do I find this?

I have a lexmark x6150 hooked up to laptop on wired network. I turned off the windows firewall. When I search for printers all that comes up is microsoft windows network. No printers are listed? I have shared clicked on the printer. I have a linksys router. Please help was working about a week ago then it stopped? Confused.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Sounds like it may be an issue with the network name. Set them both/all to MSHOME.

All network names set to MSHOME. I have printer on desktop marked as shared. Still cant find printer when I click add printer.....????

I HAVE A PRINTER CONNECTED TO THE DESKTOP, THE DESKTOP RUNS WINDOWS XP, I HAVE CHECKED OFF THE SHARE PRINTER, FIREWALLS ARE TURNED OFF ON BOTH COMPUTERS. I GOT AS FAR AS PICKING MY PRINTER WHEN I CLICK ON IT TO ADD IT GIVES ME AN ERROR MESSAGE THAT DO NOT HAVE ACCESS. WE HAVE ANOTHER LAPTOP THAT RUNS WINDOWS ME AND WE WERE ABLE TO CONNECT TO THE PRINTER WITH NO PROBLEM. ANY SUGGESTIONS?

I tried step by step and it works I have 1 desktop computer with the printer and 2 laptops wireless with Windows XP; however, it does not work with 1 laptop with windows vista, anyone knows why? do you guys have any step by step how to set it up with vista?

I just p/u a nice, brand new Dell XPS laptop (vista equipped). I am selling off my other computer equipment (desktop and second laptop). I have a Brother multi-function laser printer (MFC-7820N) w/ a 10/100 port in the back. I also have a broadband wireless router w/ (3) open 10/100 ports in the back. I am no technical wizard so...may I connect the router and the printer and consequently print wirelessly from my laptop. If yes....how? Thanks Bob.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, that should work. Connect the printer to the router via network cable. Then install the software driver for the printer on your laptop. During the driver install, it should ask if you are setting up a local or networked printer.

So, based on your response to Christine's firewall question, it sounds like your solution to printer access from the wireless laptop requires shutting down any installed firewalls when printing. That sounds cumbersome and imprudent to me, a non-expert. If the above is true, is there a specific hardware solution you recommend that leaves firewalls active? I have a Dell Dimension 4550 desktop, wireless Vostro 1000 laptop and Canon MP 530 multifunction printer that needs a bidirectional connection. Thanks

EDITOR'S NOTE: I was referring to software-based firewalls, which are almost never necessary. Your network router has a hardware-based fierewall that should suffice. See http://askbobrankin.com/do_i_need_a_firewall.html

OUTSTANDING information!!!! Thanks

Bill

I'm trying to connect my laptop to the established network(desk top) in my home. When browsing for the printer it does not find it. Should I install the printer software on the laptop.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I'd investigate other issues first, such as the "sharing" checkbox, and firewalls that may interfere.

I have Comcast with a lynksys wireless router. My PC is wired to a new wireless Epson printer.

I also have a new Macbook Pro laptop with leopard and I want to print wireless to the printer. The Mac will print when wired direct, but will not locate the printer wirelessly. What do I need to do?

EDITOR'S NOTE: When you said "My PC is wired to a wireless printer" my head started to hurt. Can you clarify?

Hey there bob, there are two desktop computers in my house plus my mum has a laptop - we are all connected to a wireless network but the laptop has problems printing to the network printer. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't! Everything works the same when it is printing and when it is not - like it says the printer is ready and the files enter the printing cue - the only difference is that after a few seconds of it saying it is in the process of printing it comes up with failed printing. I dont get it! Help!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Intermittent problems are the hardest ones to diagnose. If you send the print job again, does it work?

Hi Bob, Thanks so much for all your help. It's clearly MUCH needed! I could use more of your help connecting to a printer on a Mac computer. I am on a Dell laptop running Vista (in case that matters). I downloaded Bonjour for Windows as you suggested. I restarted my computer. I opened the Bonjour printer wizard, it found the printer attached to the mac, I chose it as my default, and then when I clicked "finish" I got this error window: "You do not have sufficient access to your computer to connect to the selected printer." What does that mean?? I presume I need to use the wizard right? Thank you so much in advance.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Here's one possible cause and solution: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946394

Hi Bob, I have a problem, I just brought a wireless printer in which I would like to print form my desktop. To make a story short, is there's a way that I can print from my desktop which is not a wireless pc. what do I need to make this work. (to be able to print from my desktop to a wireless printer)

EDITOR'S NOTE: I've never come across a "wireless printer" that did not have the option to connect via USB or a network cable. Are you sure there is no USB port on the printer? If not, you'll need a wireless adapter in your computer, and a router with wireless capability to connect them.

Bob, I want to purchase an all-in-one printer to function for four (or more) laptops (Vista and Mac). If possible, I would like to have the printer function independently of any specific computer and simply be connected to the wireles, Linksys, router. Is this possible? If so, how? Do you have a specific, all-in-one printer with sheet feed capability, that you would recommend. this is for a small office/ large family.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Sounds like the HP OfficeJet L7780 would be ideal. I have one and it works great for me. I print wirelessly from the computer upstairs to the L7780 which is downstairs in my office. See my rewview here: http://askbobrankin.com/hp_officejet_pro_l7780.html

when i get to this step on the laptop:

"When the Printer Wizard opens, tell it you're looking for a network printer, then browse for the desired printer on your network."

it does not find the printer, just says "Microsoft Windows Network... Documents waiting:". the printer (hp 6540) is connected to the desktop running vista and the laptop is run xp. i was told to select "addional drivers" on the desktop and cite the location of the other version's printer driver. what is it and where is it?

Bob, I followed your instructions to set up my wireless printing. Had trouble. My desktop is the one with the printer attached. The printer is on. Both the desktop and my laptop are running VISTA. But when I tried to add a printer on my laptop it said 'none found' even though I am on line through my wireless router. HELP!!