Print server?

[princevulpine]

I recent received a netbook. I installed a Netgear RangeMax Wireless Router (very nice btw). I am running Vista on my PC and XP on my netbook. My Printer is an old LaserJet 6p.
Okay, so I have the router set up just fine, but here is the rub. I set-up a linksys router for my sister-in-law and was able to send docs to the printer without any trouble. My netgear is not as forthcoming with this ability... I assumed all routers assisted with the capacity unequivically...
Am I missing something.
I set my printer up on my PC to be shared. But my netbook can't seem to find it...
What do I need to do?
Any and all help, tips, and links would be appreciated!
I've browsed (googled) but I am not sure if I need to create a print server on my PC or if I am missing something very obvious...
Thanks!

 

[DelJo63]

if you wire it like this

modem---router#1-----router#2

then systems attached to router#2 can reach anything on router#1
BUT not the converse.

remove the cable from the WAN side of router#2 and move it to the LAN side.
login to router #2 and disable the DHCP server.

Router#1 will then control all IP address assignments and all systems will have the same
first three portions of the IP address, eg 192.168.0.x

 

[princevulpine]

hmmm...

OKay here is how I have it setup. Pretty standard, not sure if this is what you are refering to...
modem ------ router
There is no router #2. THe reference to another router was simply a sidenote to the idea that some wireless routers seem to make printing wirelssly easier than others. On her linksys router (at her house) the install cd has a program that you install into both the PC and the laptop in order to access files and print wirelessly.
THe netgear software does not seem to have this feature.
I do not know what I need to do to make the netbook "see" the printer attached to my PC...

 

[DelJo63]

OKay here is how I have it setup. Pretty standard, not sure if this is what you are refering to...
modem ------ router
There is no router #2. THe reference to another router was simply a sidenote to the idea that some wireless routers seem to make printing wirelssly easier than others.

ok

On her linksys router (at her house) the install cd has a program that you install into both the PC and the laptop in order to access files and print wirelessly.

99% of the time, that CD is useful only for modem+router where a USB cable is used instead of an ethernet cable

THe netgear software does not seem to have this feature.

doesn't need it; I use a netgear router too.

I do not know what I need to do to make the netbook "see" the printer attached to my PC...

on the system with the printer attached, select the printer, right-click->sharing

if that's a printer using a Print Server, the printer will get an IP address.
Once it is connected to the network, use your cp->Printer & Fax->Add Printer and select a 'network printer'

The print server documentation will tell you how to connect to your router and to enter the encryption key

 

[princevulpine]

getting closer

When attempting to locate the printer on the network through my netbook, I can get as far as seeing the name of my desktop. But when I click on it, it doesn't show the printer.
I am convinced that I have everything set-up as I have read on the PC end. But the netbook just can't seem to find the printer. I am not sure if I even have a print server. Will the PC automatically act as a print server? Or do I need to install a third party software? Or is there something within the netgear router that needs to be ticked?
I've posted this on the netgear forums as well, hopefully with all this fishing I might catch something!

 

[DelJo63]

1) please report the make/model of your printer
2) how and to what does the printer attach

did you enable Print/File sharing on Both systems?

 

[princevulpine]

it's working...

Something wasn't enabled correctly with the network... Or perhaps it was the installing of the parellel to usb cable cd. Don't ask me what I did.
As far as your question, the printer is a laserjet 6p and it connects to my desktop via a parellel to usb cable.

 

[tonylukac]

Sometimes the firewall on the desktop could be in the way. Try turning it off. Also, some printers connect directly to the router via cat 5 cable or wireless. See if you have an ethernet connection on your printer and connect it to the router, or if you have a wireless printer. If so, then (uninstall and re)install the printer drivers on the netbook choosing "network printer" or something such, after connecting it with cat 5 cable. Perhaps its time for a modern network printer. I recommend a Brother non-laser since cartridges cost half as much as the others and networked printers without print servers go only at 11Mbps. For less than $100 you can have an all in one networked low cost ink printer. Why bother with a messy print server when you need not have that or the desktop powered on to print from the netbook with this arrangement?

 

[DelJo63]

Something wasn't enabled correctly with the network... Or perhaps it was the installing of the parellel to usb cable cd. Don't ask me what I did.
As far as your question, the printer is a laserjet 6p and it connects to my desktop via a parellel to usb cable.

A "print server" is a device that connects between the router and the printer to give the printer an IP address.

Your connection is nothing more that Print Sharing of a device directly attached to another system.

SO; RESET your thought process and start looking for
How to enable Print/File Sharing on Vista and XP