Resolved Yet another question on networking and printing

I'll try this again. My problem is setting up a multi-computer network sharing a printer which has wireless capabilities but which is presently connected to one computer by ethernet. We are running two routers (explanation to follow).

Sounds simple, but there are refinements:

1) Computer 1 (wired to printer) is an older desktop running WIN10/32 and which has a network set up in it but for which network I no longer have either it's name or password. Network was set up when this was a VISTA computer. Printer is wired ethernet printer to D-link router then to computer using ethernet portals but computer is capable of signing on to either router.

Computer 2 is a laptop Toshiba WIN10/64 and also has a network set up on it but for which network I no longer have either it's name or password. Network was set up when this was a VISTA computer.

Computer 3 is a newer laptop running WIN10/32 which has a wireless connection to the internet thru one of the two routers.

Computer 4 is a tablet computer running WIN10/32 wich is used primarily to do online crosswords and the like. It also has a wireless connection to the internet thru one of the two routers.

2) Router A is a D-link wired router which is used because the signal from the ISP's wireless gateway has trouble penetrating the 24" thick stone wals of the house (1846 construction). This router has an ethernet cable running back to the Gateway and utilizing the ethernet port.

Router B is, of course, the wireless gateway from Xfinity (recently upgraded) which resides on the third floor and services the front three vertical rooms of the house, needing penetrate only wood and occasionally my cementatious head.

SO:

What I am trying to do is to connect computers 1-4 so they can exchange information between one another as well as sharing the printer and I need to set this up for BOTH router points as the computers dance thru the rooms, with the exception of #1 wich is fixwed in place. If the printer can only handle one connection at a time (Brother MFC-490-C) then suggestions ?


In case this sounds familiar, I had posted a similar request for help last year but medical stuff prevented me from following the post (indeed, I feel fortunate I remember MAKING the post) and I want to get this in-hand ASAP.

I'm sure I've left out something really important, so if you do have some advice, feel free to excoriate me about the omissions.

Many thanks in advance for your help, people. Can't tell you how many times you've pulled the fat from the fire for me!

A happy and healthy Holiday to all!

 

You don't normally connect printers to computers by Ethernet. Typically it is by USB.

Sorry, but this is not making sense. This suggests a "loop" from printer to router to computer 1. It is not a "loop". It is just two devices connected to the router, one happens to be a printer, the other computer 1. The printer is connected to the router, not the computer.

It has only one connection - to the router. It does not matter how many other computers are connected to your network. The whole purpose of having a networked printer is so multiple computers can print on it. The print server (built into the network ready printer) will sort out the print jobs from the different computers.

You need to look in the manual for the 2nd router and see how to use it just as a Ethernet switch, not as a router. That will then act as a range extender for your Ethernet network.

Since your printer also has wireless support, you could connect it via that way to the router that has wireless.

As far as sharing, you will need to open up sharing on each computer. Personally, I think in terms of security, it would be better to open up sharing on just one computer, then use that as a middle man (like a file/backup server) to your other computers.

 

Prior to USB - weren't printers using SERIAL connectors? I have a serial to USB adapter which I used to use.

 

Typically parallel.

 

Bill: Quite correct, I misspoke... the printer is attached via USB thru the "home" (WIN10/32) computer, NOT by ethernet. The Dlink router is the one connected to the Infinity gateway via ethernet. (The older I get, the more complicated this stuff gets!)
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TonyT: I think I understand the instructions and I'll give it a shot ASAP this PM. A question...

Given that I can connect as described to the Dlink thru the "Home" computer using the steps described and then can join the other computer to that workgroup by changing the workgroup designator of the second computer, will I be able to see and add the printer, or am I getting ahead of myself?

 

And the faster things change too. Wasn't it just Y2K?

 

Bill: Dude, I have a 386 in the office room with a 24bit Vesa Bus video card and an incredible 12MB RAM: A real screamer for DOS games. (Wonder if it still works? Wolfenstein!!)
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TonyT: Brother MFC 490 CW I know it has both ethernet and usb ports. The usb port is in use at present.

Printer computer only goes offline when our wonderful ISP (ComClash) decides to swat the connection. ( I dunno, that's how it seems to me, they use our block as a kicking tee and miss a lot. )

Trying solution (2) now.

 

(Sorry! Crossposted!}

Well, I tried.

My problem with solution (2) is that there is no sharing tab in the Properties splash screen.



All three computers are visible under the "Network" folder in File Mangler, but (of course) the various passwords and network IDs are lost to age and a lousy memory.




I'm confused. Again.

 

Bill: I have determined, after rigorous investigation (I asked the dog) that it is NOT a matter of computers getting more complicated and faster, its simply that I am getting slower and more plaque-ridden. "De' Ol' Grey Brane, she ain't a-whut she used-a be..."
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TonyT: Wait? REALLY?? THAT Printer Properties splash-out? OH! Well, SURE, if you wanna take the easy way out, I guess that actually reading the suggestions might be of benefit. I think I'll do that from now on, as well as getting new coke-bottle-bottom lenses, then maybe I can stop looking like such a bimbo.

Cereally, thanks for putting up with "The Old Phart". The printer is now shared and printing my drivel with great elan! Just in time to do the end-of-year books for my accountant to tear apart and disallow.

Oh, Frabjous Joy!

I gonna mark this solved (since the main question is done got took care of) but I will probably be back for more about making the Dlink a switch, just as soon as I can convince SWMBO that this will be a "good thing".

Again, thanks.