Laptop not seeing desktop computer which has router attached

I am new to the networking realm and my problem is like this.

I have a desktop computer with a router attached to it. My laptop is able to get internet access but my main complaint is that I am unable to print to my desktop. I have attempted to set up the home network but my computer is not recognizing the laptop on the network and vice versa. I have gotten conflicted information on my printers ability to even serve as a printer but with my limited knowledge it seems that if the laptop sends a signal to the desktop to print something that it should work.

Any assistance is greatly appreciated

 

Presumably you’re using XP, if so:

There are three basic operations, firstly put all the computers in the same workgroup then, secondly, choose the folders on each machine that are to be shared. Repeat this on all PCs, use the same workgroup name but, of course, a different computer name. Then finally share the printer.

1. Add a computer to a workgroup by right-clicking My Computer > Properties > Computer Name and change the default Workgroup Name to something more meaningful in your household, also make the Computer Name recognisable, e.g. MainPC or IBMPC. The computer should reboot.

2. Now decide which folders you want to share and right-click them and select Sharing & Security > Sharing Tab > Share this… and optionally, Allow Network users to….. You only need to share the highest level folder, e.g. not every photograph. A little hand should appear under those that are shared. Alternatively, drag the folders you want to share to the Shared Documents folder.

3. On the machine that the printer is connected to, go to Control Panel > Printers & Faxes, right-click the printer, click Sharing, check "˜Share this printer’. On the other machine(s) go to Control Panel > Printers & Faxes > Add printer and follow the wizard.

 

I have attempted to place the computers in the same workgroup and also have followed the wizard to name each computer. The problem is neither one of the computers recognize each other. When I attempt to pull computers on the workgroup it gives an error telling me I will be unable to see the computers. Not sure what else to do and I am sure it is hard for you assist online like this. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Mike

 

What is the exact wording of the error message?

 

It is Windows XP. This is the error message I get.

MS home is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions.

The list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available.

Hope this information gives you direction. Thanks for all that you do.

Mike

 

On the XP machine, make sure the restrictanonymous registry key is set to zero.

Go to Start > Run, type regedit and press Enter. In the left pane navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa . In the right pane, double-click restrictanonymous and make sure that the value in the Value data box is 0 (zero).

To be prudent create a system restore point before making any changes to the registry.

 

Which machine do you want this done on. The desktop (router attached) or the laptop or both. Both are running XP

Mike

 

Both.

 

Sorry about the delay. I have looked at both computers and both are already set to 0.

Mike

 

In order to ensure I have set this up right.

My cable modem connects to my router and my router is connected to my computer (desktop) via an ethernet wire. My laptop uses a usb adapter and is able to connect to the internet but neither computer sees the other. I have attempted to follow the wizards and set up the home network but still unable to share files or the printer.

The printer is connected directly to the desktop and there is no difficulty in printing from desktop to printer.

Some people have told me I need a print server or a wireless printer but it seems intuitively that if I can share files on the network (which I can not yet) I should be able to share the printer.

Mike

 

A lot of times that happens when I really don't have anything shared on the computer, try sharing the printer and see if the add printer wizard detects the printer on the laptop.

 

Windows firewall is normally set to allow file and printer sharing but if you have a third-party firewall make sure file and printer sharing is enabled so that each machine can talk to the other(s).

Also, without a wifi printer adapter you will have to have the machine with the printer attached switched on in order to print from the wireless one.

 

It is amazing how a simple fix works. The problem seemed to be I have Norton Firewall on my desktop and I had to allow sharing. Once allowed it works.

The only problem I have now is that I can see the desktop computer on the laptop but when attempting to connect to it. I get an error message telling me

The server for the 'hp deskjet 3600 series' printer does not have the correct printer driver installed. If you want to search for the driver, click OK. Otherwise, click cancel and contact your network administrator or original equipment manufacturer for the correct printer driver.

Now originally for whatever reason an Epson printer driver was being used and I was able to print from my desktop. I went ahead and downloaded the driver for HP deskjet 3650 and updated my desktop and the printer is working but still getting the same error on my laptop.

Thanks,
Mike

 

In order to solve my printer networking problem I was wondering do I need to disconnect the printer from the desktop, connect to laptop and update drivers, then reconnect back to desktop, and finally attempt to print from laptop that way?

Mike