Wireless network & workgroup - PC cannot find shared printer...

CableGuy · Feb 20, 2009

Hi there,

A client of mine asked me to help with an IT problem.

She has three computers on a wireless network, set up as a workgroup. Each PC has a printer attached to it and she would like all PCs to be able use each printer. She doesn't need a server.

Her own PC is fine - when viewing the workgroup you can see every PC on the network and connect to the shared printers.

However, on the second PC, which is configured for the workgroup, Windows fails to identify anything on the workgroup, simply bringing up an error message each time. I've tried setting this PC up for the network again but to no avail.

Has anyone got any suggestions about the best way to get round this?

RussellHenley · Feb 20, 2009

Hi,

Obvious things to check:

1) Firewall must allow file/print sharing on all the PCs otherwise it won't work
2) PC's must be able to find each other (e.g. use IP addresses, create host files, have DNS on the router etc.)
3) Logins and passwords must all be the same or the same user must exist on each PC

It's much easier with IP-based printers as you just install them and they work. Or get a server and a domain!

Regards,

Russell.

mehode · Feb 20, 2009

Is there one Vista, pro or home edition where the other ones that can see each other are from the same edition so they can see each other?

I would look in that direction.

CableGuy · Feb 20, 2009

mehode said:
Is there one Vista, pro or home edition where the other ones that can see each other are from the same edition so they can see each other?

I would look in that direction.

They're all Windows XP. They all use standard Windows firewall.

I'll check DNS settings on router. Also, is it worth manually setting the IP addresses to be in the same range, or should the router do this?

Thanks

mehode · Feb 20, 2009

CableGuy said:
They're all Windows XP. They all use standard Windows firewall.

I'll check DNS settings on router. Also, is it worth manually setting the IP addresses to be in the same range, or should the router do this?

Thanks

Ok, they are all Windows XP.
Are they all home edition or pro edition?

CableGuy · Feb 20, 2009

mehode said:
Ok, they are all Windows XP.
Are they all home edition or pro edition?

They're all XP Pro

leemason · Feb 20, 2009

On the PC you are having problem with what happens if you fire up a command prompt and do:

> NET VIEW \\anotherpcname (substitute the name of one of the other PCs on the network).

Do you get a list of shares or an error message or nothing?

CableGuy · Feb 20, 2009

leemason said:
On the PC you are having problem with what happens if you fire up a command prompt and do:

> NET VIEW \\anotherpcname (substitute the name of one of the other PCs on the network).

Do you get a list of shares or an error message or nothing?

I'm not there now, but I did a similar check and the 2nd machine didn't see anything on the workgroup.

The first machine could see everything - the two others PCs and the two other shared printers.

leemason · Feb 20, 2009

You could try do the same command but specifying the IP address of another PC. It might be something to do with netbios name resolution.

CableGuy · Feb 20, 2009

Thanks all for your suggestions - will try them out when I can

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