Printing from a laptop

FroGGer · Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:52 pm Post subject: Printing from a laptop

I have a question regarding printing from a laptop or wireless computer to a printer. What software would you use to do this? I remember a while back I used network magic. Is there a way of setting this up without software so I wouldn't have to pay the $30 to buy the program. The laptop I want to print from has Vista on it. I setup this up at my mom's house about a year and a half ago using network magic, but she doesn't use it anymore so I haven't maintained it.
Thanks,
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[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

????

You want to print through your router I take it?
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mojo1340 · UberTweaker Joined: 19 Jun 2004 Posts: 1022

I'm not sure what your issue is, but if you have a printer attached to the network, Vista should easily find it. This is assuming there's a computer and printer attached to the network you're trying to use.

FroGGer · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 2:01 am Post subject:

I guess yes I want to print through the printer. The laptop is not hard wired to the router though. Would I just run the network setup wizard on each computer and allow printer sharing? I would have to install the printer drivers on the laptop then too, right?
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FroGGer · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 2:01 am Post subject:

One more thing, the printer is not attached directly to the router. It's attached to a computer hard wired to the router. That's where I'm getting confused.
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mojo1340 · UberTweaker Joined: 19 Jun 2004 Posts: 1022

Assuming that the router has wireless capability, you should be able to do as you suggest, but drivers may be a bit dicey. With Vista on the laptop, I'd try printing without drivers first. If that doesn't yield good results, then try loading Vista drivers (if you can find some) onto the laptop.
Good luck!

FroGGer · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 1:03 pm Post subject:

How would I go about doing it? Would I just use the Network Setup wizard on each computer, enable printer sharing, and install the printer drivers on each computer? In this case, it would be the laptop. I was kind of trying to do that but Vista was not recognizing the laptop.
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mojo1340 · UberTweaker Joined: 19 Jun 2004 Posts: 1022

FroGGer · Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:37 am Post subject:

Sorry for the confusion. The laptop has Vista on it. The desktop computer has XP on it. The printer is connected directly to the desktop computer. The router is a belkin router.
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mojo1340 · UberTweaker Joined: 19 Jun 2004 Posts: 1022

Have you tried using the network setup wizard on the desktop?

Xal · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 4:01 am Post subject:

Did you actually share the printer?

I would check the printer is shared on the desktop. Open up "printers and faxes" and check its sharing status. Provided both machines see eachother then you should be able to access the printer if its shared.

I know a lot of ways to troubleshoot printer issues but most are long winded and require a lot of explanation, not to mention information about the network setup. If you are still hitting a wall I can try and talk you through. Not sure if the methods are still valid on Vista though...
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