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

[WilfSell]

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...?

Yes - but it takes work

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

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

I have never managed to set up a home wireless network for this purpose!!

No - it's attached to the desktop

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?

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

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

Yes

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?

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.

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

ooh greyriverside, even better

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

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.

That's like mine RustyBear

It works fine

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

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.