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OK have printer connected to main PC, wireless router, and laptop: can I sent it up to print docs direct from my laptop?

21 replies

WilfSell · 25/05/2008 12:16

Idiot here. I'm sure this is possible but no farkin idea what to do...

And while you're on... do I need separate installed security software on EACH computer in the wireless network...?

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littlelapin · 25/05/2008 12:17

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KatyMac · 25/05/2008 12:17

Yes - but it takes work

Are the desktop & the laptop both on the wireless network?

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KatyMac · 25/05/2008 12:18

No - Lapin - my printer isn't wireless & I print using the network

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littlelapin · 25/05/2008 12:19

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Teuch · 25/05/2008 12:19


I have never managed to set up a home wireless network for this purpose!!
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littlelapin · 25/05/2008 12:19

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KatyMac · 25/05/2008 12:20

No - it's attached to the desktop

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WilfSell · 25/05/2008 12:20

Well, the router is connected to main PC with ethernet cable and printer connected to Pc with a good old fashioned black cable. Have no idea whether it can be printed wirelessly.

Katymac, got any ideas where to start?

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WilfSell · 25/05/2008 12:21

'be printed wirelessly'? You know what I mean...

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KatyMac · 25/05/2008 12:21

I downloaded Network magic & it made it all work - but you have to pay for it

Without it you have to attach the laptop to the router and I can't remember after that

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littlelapin · 25/05/2008 12:23

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KatyMac · 25/05/2008 12:25

Yes

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littlelapin · 25/05/2008 12:26

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KatyMac · 25/05/2008 12:49

If you do the connect laptop to the router thingie - you need to follow how to set up your network thingie on the computer - does that make any sense?

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Greyriverside · 25/05/2008 12:58

If the laptop is connected to your local network (connecting wired or wirelessly to the router and given the same workgroup name etc) then it should be able to see and print to any printer attached to any other computer on the network.

You have to go to the PC that actually has the printer attached and 'share' it.

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WilfSell · 25/05/2008 12:59

thanks - Network Magic sounds like the lazy cow's easiest solution. I will investigate...

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WilfSell · 25/05/2008 13:01

ooh greyriverside, even better

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KatyMac · 25/05/2008 13:02

If you don't do on network magic remember when you are naming things that it's all case-sensitive

I spent weeks doing it & succeed with it in a day when I bought network magic

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RustyBear · 25/05/2008 13:24

Ours is set up the way greyriverside suggested - the printer is connected to one desktop by USB cable & we print to it from 3 XP laptops, one Vista laptop & a Vista desktop. As long as they are all on the network, you don't have to install the printer software on the other computers (which is lucky, as we don't have a Vista driver for our printer)
The downside is that the computer the printer is attached to has to be on when you want to print.

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KatyMac · 25/05/2008 13:27

That's like mine RustyBear

It works fine

I have 2 laptops & I'm about to add a desktop

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ScienceTeacher · 25/05/2008 13:34

Our printer is connected to the wireless router, and we can use it from all our desktops and laptops.

It's a network ready printer.

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