setting up a wireless printer network

[Bill Troiano]

I don't even know if that's what you would call it, being the computer dummy that I am. I bought a new printer, which is connected to our house desktop computer via a USB cable. I would like to be able to use the printer with my laptop too. With the old printer, I had an A/B box (wired) with standard printer cables. A salesman at the store told me, as long as I have a router where I'm using my laptop wireless, that I can use the printer that way too. Of course, he tried to explain how I go about doing this by setting up a network connection. I tried and failed. Then, a computer tech, at the school where I teach, explained it to me. It seemed easy, but still I couldn't make it work. Can anybody try to explain it to me, step by step. Thanks!

[ThomasDodd]

I don't even know if that's what you would call it, being the computer dummy that I am.

I think you just want to share a printer on the network, wired or not it should be the same.

A salesman at the store told me, as long as I have a router where I'm using my laptop wireless, that I can use the printer that way too.

I'm not sure why a router matters here.

1) Can your laptop communicate with the desktop? To what degree? can you access files on the desktop system from the laptop?

2) What does your current network look like? The laptop has a wireless network card right (plug-in or built-in)? What is the reciever? Another car/box on the desktop or a wireless router/access point?

If you can access files, then you should just need to share the printer (on the desktop) and configure a networked printer.

[Joe Baker]

I don't even know if that's what you would call it, being the computer dummy that I am. I bought a new printer, which is connected to our house desktop computer via a USB cable. I would like to be able to use the printer with my laptop too. With the old printer, I had an A/B box (wired) with standard printer cables. A salesman at the store told me, as long as I have a router where I'm using my laptop wireless, that I can use the printer that way too. Of course, he tried to explain how I go about doing this by setting up a network connection. I tried and failed. Then, a computer tech, at the school where I teach, explained it to me. It seemed easy, but still I couldn't make it work. Can anybody try to explain it to me, step by step. Thanks!

Offer the computer tech pizza and beer for coming out to the house and setting it up for you. Trying to explain the whole procedure in words is like trying to explain how to play an instrument with words, but for anyone who already knows how, this'll only take a few minutes.

Rest assured, no alpha-geek worth his salt will pass up an opportunity to show off AND get free food!
______________________________
Joe Baker, who works with several alpha-geeks and several who are studying for the geek-hood.

[Bill Troiano]

Still no luck! Tom, thanks for the info, but you lost me. Joe, I like your idea. I'll give it a shot! Thanks to both of you!

[Tubaryan12]

You can always try this for dummies. If that doesn't work, Joe had the best idea by far!

[ThomasDodd]

You can always try this for dummies. If that doesn't work, Joe had the best idea by far!

I'm guessing the For Dummies article won't be much use.
If he doesn't have the network already set up, then there are real issues. No for dummies biook will solve them.

Not knowing if you can access a file share tells me he probably doesn't have a network set up correctly. I didn't even call it a file share, since he migh not know the phrase., and described it.

Bill,
I'm now suggesting Joe's advice. Buy some one a pizza and drink of preference. You might l;earn something too. Try not to drink much:)