Printer Sharing

I have two computers on a network. I want both of them to use a single printer.

Dell 8200 running Win XP Home SP2 is connected to an HP 960CSE printer. This set up runs well.

I also have an older Dell XPS Dimension 333Mhgz Win 98 1st edition.

Both computers are connected to a Linksys BEFRS41 router which is connected to a Thompson single port DSL modem/router. The Linksys router is set to automatically detect a connection. The Thompson modem/router is the dialing device. This arrangement provides two NAT firewalls.

Both computers readily access the Internet and the POP 3 e-mail server. No problems there.

On the Win XP computer I have no problem running the wizard and setting up printer sharing. However, when I try start\settings\printers on the Win 98 computer and try to add a network printer I am unable to browse for the printer. I get an error that says "unable to browse network".

What am I doing wrong and how can I correct it? I am currently running two printers and it is a pain with different ink cartridges and all.

Thanks for any advice I can use.

have you installed the printer drivers on the win98 pooter??

Yes, but I later uninstalled the drivers. All that made it do was search for a local printer and caused additional problems.

This is a networking problem. It is not a driver problem. The first thing I need to do is to be able to browse the network. Once I can do that, I will be able to deal with any driver issues.

See Browsing the Network.

Thanks ecross. I found this same website before posting here, but it doesn't offer a lot of help. It says first enter network password and user name. Where does one find a way to access this application? Also, I do not have a network user name or password. I am the only one using this network. I am never asked for a user name or password when turning the computer on.

Is it suppossed to be this complicated to simply share a printer?

It really isn't that hard for file and printer sharing but there are many pitfalls that can occur in Windows networking. Verify the status of the Computer Browser service on each computer. On Windows XP, click Start, Run, and type "services.msc" - without quotes and click Ok.

Are you running NetBIOS over TCP/IP? Make sure Client For Microsoft Networks and File and Printer Sharing is enabled on all computers. Also, verify that you have the same network protocol on all computers.

If any personal firewall such as ZoneAlarm, Sygate, or Norton Internet Security installed on any of the machines make sure it is properly configured. Sometimes disabling doesn't always work. Uninstall while troubleshooting the network. Disable the XP Firewall or enable File and Printer sharing under the Exception tab in the Windows Firewall properties.

I'll check these things out tonight after I get home from work.

Thanks.

Could I connect two computers to the same printer via some kind of USB hub or "Y" connector?

I have decided to buy one of these instead of networking the computers. Seems much simpler and more secure. Thanks for your help.

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProdu...uct_Id=120618#