Can't Share Printer!!!

I don’t know why I have so much trouble with networking two computers. I just got the internet connection working and now I can’t seem to be able to use one printer with the two computers.
I have a Dell Dimension 8100 with Windows ME and A Dell Notebook Insprion 5100 with XP Home. They are connected together through a Linksys BEFSR41 Router. The most current printer software had been previously installed on both computers. Each computer will print correctly when the printer is installed directly to either one. The printer is now connected directly to the desktop. I’m sure that I have precisely followed the Network Setup Wizard. I have set up the Workgroup and the Computer Name on both computers and checked the "Share As" box on the printer under the File Menu and then Sharing. I still can’t print from the notebook.
Does anyone know of where I can get some good step by step instructions for making this work? I have read quite a few different web sites but I still come up with the same problem. Any help of suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Gary

 

Most likely problem is that you have a firewall running that is blocking the print traffic. If that isn't it, post back and we'll run thru some other troubleshooting things.

 

Re: Your reply

Hi Newt,
Thanks for your reply. I have the free version of ZoneAlarm installed and running on both computers. I turned it off on both machines but that didn't seem to make any difference. I've double checked everything again but still no luck.

Gary

 

Do you by chance have the XP firewall running?

 

No Newt, the XP Firewall is not running. I double checked to make sure of that. I still don't seem to be able to find anything else wrong.

Gary

 

In Zone Alarm, lower your internal network security to Medium or Low. Of course internet security should remain High.

Go to Network Neighborhood of the system that doesn't have the printer. Do you see the icon as a shared printer? If you do, firewalling is probably not the issue. In that case, your printer drivers might not like sharing. I encountered that trouble with some old Lexmark drivers. You might want to ask your printer's manufacturer about that.

If all else fails, network your printers through TCP/IP instead of File and Print sharing. Software-only solutions can be found at:
http://www.rabox.com/winlpd/
http://lpr.brooksnet.com/
If you don't mind getting a different router, some versions of the SMC Barricade have a print server. With that, you won't need the software linked to above. Not all printers will work with the Barricade.