can you share a printer on a linksys BEFW11S4

[jowens1126]

Im new to wireless, but i was wondering if you could share a printer or files over this router? I didnt see anything in the manual about it, but i didnt read it that thoroughly.

any thoughts?

[YeOldeStonecat]

Yes, treat as a standard peer to peer network.....file and print sharing like normal.

[jowens1126]

Well Neither PC is connected directly to the router.
ANd I have the printer connected to my main PC and i want to print from my wifes laptop.

I set the printer to enable it to be shared, but when i try to add the printer wizard on the laptop and check network printer. it doesnt find one.

Do i need to set both PC's to a static IP Address?

I have no clue where to go from here...im not that good with networks.

But i have some idea what im doing....but dont know how it works in this case.

[YeOldeStonecat]

OK, so two computers..and both are using the wirless only? Not a problem..treat wireless just as you would a wired network..only difference is it's a little slower.

What OS is each computer?

You don't need static LAN IPs for peer to peer networking, although sometimes I find static LAN IP's to be more reliable.

Here's a link to a short article I wrote helping with static LAN IPs behind a router:
http://www.speedguide.net/read_articles.php?id=177

Having the same workgroup name helps you find computers easier in the first layer of network neighborhood...you don't NEED the same workgroup, but for simple peer to peers, it's easier.

[jowens1126]

Both have win XP Home


Cant see the other workgroup when i browse network neighborhood. so maybe ill try and rename them to the same work group.

[jowens1126]

Ok for a standard static lan IP setup...which ports do you forward?

how do i know which game uses what port.

[YeOldeStonecat]

Originally posted by jowens1126
Ok for a standard static lan IP setup...which ports do you forward?

how do i know which game uses what port.

You only need to forward ports if you're running a game server, and wish for someone from the internet to connect to you. Port forwarding has nothing to do with local area networks...printer sharing, etc.

Which game uses which ports...hitup forums regarding your games.

Do you have any software firewalls running on your XP Home boxes? Including even the XP firewall?

[jowens1126]

norton internet security. norton antivirus.

[YeOldeStonecat]

Originally posted by jowens1126
norton internet security. norton antivirus.

First hunch is Internet Security is blocking all traffic, rerun the setup...and allow the local network subnet (192.168.1.XXX) through.

[jowens1126]

Could i disable Norton INternet security and then reboot the host computer... will that help...or could i just disable it and check it.

and should i try to browse it on network neighboorhood and see if theres a printer icon there..or do i have to go through the add a printer wizard.

[YeOldeStonecat]

Originally posted by jowens1126
Could i disable Norton INternet security and then reboot the host computer... will that help...or could i just disable it and check it.

and should i try to browse it on network neighboorhood and see if theres a printer icon there..or do i have to go through the add a printer wizard.

You could disable it entirely, but there's a network setup wizard which will tell internet security that the local IP subnet is to be trusted, and therefore allowed, and block all other IP sources.

To install a printer depends on the drivers...most printers allow you to drill down through network places, find the share, right click it, and select "install/connect".....while some drivers want the other "add printer" method.