Printer Sharing?

[Paindriver]

I have two computers connected through a hub to share cable internet access. How can i make both of the computers share one printer? Here are the specs:

1.) My computer uses win2k and the other uses win98SE.

2.) I want to only share the printer with the other computer, i don't want any holes for people to hack in.

Also what is a good firewall to put on both computers. I don't want to use zonealarm.

[cyberskye]

Install Netbeui protocol on both machines. Install File and Print Sharing Service - both are added from your network properties window. Bind File and print sharing to Netbeui and unbind TCP/IP from everything except the adapter itself.

Pick one machine to be the print server. Install the printer and share it out. Make sure that both machines have the same workgroup and a common account/username. That makes it easier to browse shares.

Netbeui is not a routable protocol - can't travel the internet. Makes it a little safer to use for sharing.

Why don't you want ZA? The answer would help someone make a recommendation.

Skye

[YeOldeStonecat]

I agree in what CS is recommending above....I'd add to use your Win2K box as the print share, create a user account that your Win98 boxes will not log into your network with, and share the printer out to that account. If you're going to have sharing going on, 2K is a bit more secure. Also 2K doesn't bog down as much as 9X when someone sends it a print job and the user of the print sharing box is busy working on the machine. 9X tends to grind to a halt a bit more, depending on the printer.

As for security, I'm a fan of NAT routers over software.

[Scott]

I use Tiny Personal Firewall as a software firewall, in addition to my hardware NAT router. I block everything coming in that I don't want coming in, and everything going out that I don't want that I don't want going out.

TPF is free, like ZA, but I think it is more configurable, and a little harder to use.

BTW, if that printer is a Lexmark, have fun. It took me awhile to get mine set up with the same scenario. If it is, install the printer software on both computers as if the printer was on the local LPT1 port, even if its not. Then remap the printer port on the W98SE machine to the network printer. Works a lot easier that way.

[Paindriver]

Thanks for the reply's.......but for a nOOb like me all of that looks a little more complicated. Because i don't know how to actually do the parts of the answers you posted.

For example how would i actually do this stuff and where:confused:

Install Netbeui protocol on both machines. Install File and Print Sharing Service - both are added from your network properties window. Bind File and print sharing to Netbeui and unbind TCP/IP from everything except the adapter itself.

Pick one machine to be the print server. Install the printer and share it out. Make sure that both machines have the same workgroup and a common account/username.

Also the printer i am using is a cheap old Lexmark 1100.

[cyberskye]

To add netbeui on W2K (note both machines must have the same workgroup name):

1. Right click on Network Neighborhood and select properties
2. Double click on your "Local Area Connection" then click properties
3. Click on "Install", then add a Protocol, then select Netbeui

The steps are similar for W98 (basically drop step #2 above).

To add File and Print Sharing safely on W2k:

1. Follow steps #1 and #2 above.
2. Click on install, add service, file and print sharing
3. Close the Local Area Connection properties window (where your protocols and services are listed)
4. Close the lcoal area connection status window
5. In the network and dialup connections window click on "Advanced" Toolbar then "Advanced settings"
6. In the lower pane, remove the individual checkmarks next to both TCP/IP entries (leaving only netbeui checked under file and print sharing and client for MS networks)

Don't remember how to do this bit for w98

Install the printer to a local machine (preferably the W2K box, but either will do). Open the control panel and then open the printers applet. Right click on the printer you installed and select sharing. Check the box that says "Share as" and give it a name (this is how it will appear to the other machine).

Go to the machine without a printer and add a network printer. The wizrd should guide you through the rest.



Skye

[Scott]

Go to the machine without a printer and add a network printer. The wizrd should guide you through the rest.

This is where I would deviate. I don't know about the Lexmark 1100, but my cheap old Z32 would not work that way. I had to install the printer software ( just download from Lexmark for the OS you are using) and install it as a local printer on the W98 machine, just as if it were attached to LPT1 and not on the network.

Then, go into the printer properties and change the port to the network link of the shared printer.

I don't know if this was a Windows 2000 issue, or a Lexmark issue, but thats the only way I was able to get it to work. I found that solution on the MS Knowledge base I think.

[monty]

I prefer the print server method. My new one is a one-port Hawking IPP print server. The cool thing about that is that [should I wish to] I can print to my printer from anywhere on the internet. Of course, I have to be careful whom I give access to it, as a buddy of mine thought it was fun to print stupid one-line messages to my printer.