Printer and Folder Sharing on Home Wireless Network

morrig47 · 03-05-2005, 10:59 AM

I have recently set up a home wireless network (LinkSYS) linking my desktop (main PC) and laptop. The installation has been successful and I can access the internet from both computers. I am now trying to use my setup for sharing printers and folders. I have used the Network Setup Wizard on both computers to enable printer and folder sharing, using a common workgroup name and printer name. The results, however, are negative when I try to find them on my laptop:

1. The printer does not show up when I try to retrieve printers on the network. (N.B. The printer does not have an ethernet connection so I cannot connect it directly to the wireless router. It is attached to the Desktop via a USB connection).
2. The folder sharing results in the following message when I try to find it via My Network Place on Windows Explorer - "Workgroup is not accessible. You might not have permissions to use this network resource".

I am unsure as to whether I have applied the right setting using the Network Setup Wizard, in particular for the Desktop. The choices are:

1. This computer connects directly to the internet. The other computers on my network connect to the internet through this computer.
2. This computer connects through a residential gateway or through another computer on my network.

I have opted for option 2 as I assumed, possibly incorrectly, that a residential gateway equated to my wireless router. Using the other option did indicate an error. I also chose option 2 for the laptop.

I have checked out my folder permissions and security and they seem ok.

If you can advise me on what I could try next I would be grateful. I am sorry this is a little long-winded, but I know you like to get as much information as possible!

Thanks

Gareth

AphJN · 03-05-2005, 07:45 PM

You need to go to the properties for your HDD and your Printer and make sure that they are setup to be shared. Assuming you have XP, you need to explicitly share the printer under that printer's properties. The sharing tab needs to show that you are sharing the printer and that you have a sharename for it.

As to the HDD, you will need to go into it's properties as well and select the sharing tab. Even with Sharing enabled, you still need to set the devices to be shared.

morrig47 · 03-05-2005, 07:59 PM

As part of my setup I did ensure the settings were correct for sharing on both my HDD and Printers.

I have Sharing enabled, but I am not sure what you mean by "you still need to set the devices to be shared".

Thanks for your help

Gareth

AphJN · 03-05-2005, 08:09 PM

The Device properties have actual sharing tabs where you set the rights for sharing. By default, its off. See attached images.

morrig47 · 03-05-2005, 10:21 PM

Thanks again

Unfortunately I had already made the required setting as per your images.

Could my setup in the wizard be wrong?

Gareth

morrig47 · 04-05-2005, 11:18 AM

I am adding this reply for anyone else in the same boat as me. There are 2 issues not covered in many of the guidelines, which are fairly critical. The printer name must have no spaces e.g. Canon MP370 is incorrect, CanonMP370 is fine. My inability to printer and file share was resolved when I turned off my firewalls. I am not sure if there is a way of resolving this e.g. telling the firewalls to allow certain folders and files through, but this I will follow up later.

I am still trying to resolve how to file share Microsoft Outlook, but I will start this as a new post.

Gareth

morrig47 · 04-05-2005, 12:34 PM

As an update the firewall issue can be resolved. Clearly the resolution will vary faccording to which system you are using. I have turned off Windows Firewall and resorted to Norton Internet Security. The solution is to create the client PC as a Trusted Source. Here is the link to Symantec:

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...is&svy=&csm=no

Hope it helps someone!

Gareth

morrig47 · 04-05-2005, 12:41 PM

Another hint - be sure to enable sharing in the required folders (right click folder and use sharing tab). It is also worth checking the security tab to ensure you have given the necessary permissions and the level of permissions.

Gareth