Help with new laptop/printer

IoweIoweitsofftoworkIgo

Hi, have recently installed new laptop to work wirelessly with a Linksys router attached to my desktop PC

My laptop is running Windows XP, the other PC is running ME

I am trying to set up a home network so that I can share files/docs between the two, and more importantly, to print from my laptop to the printer attached to the desktop PC

I have tried to follow the advice given in the threads at the top relating to sharing but am completely stumped!

When I click on 'my computer'(laptop)-my network-entire network-It would appear I've set up 'microsoft windows network-Mshome-PBN_User'

When I then try & click on PBN_User for more info, I get an error message stating that '.....is not accessible'

I've tried to 'add printer' using wizard, but keep getting an error message stating 'you need to specify a valid network printer name'

Any help you could give would be appreciated, in plain english please!

albertross_2

Not an answer to your question, but have you encrypted this network with wpa, cos if you don't you will also end up sharing the files with the neighbours.

Have you got any firewalls on these pc's? They have a tendency to stop file sharing working.

IoweIoweitsofftoworkIgo

Don't know what WPA is, but I believe I should be safe-I followed all the security instructions that came with the router?

I am running a firewall on the Desktop PC

IoweIoweitsofftoworkIgo

Crikey, just looked at the security on my laptop-have managed to apply wpa security, but my internet network security is stating 'open'?

albertross_2

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=2471408&postcount=37

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=2471410&postcount=38

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=121274

if by internet, you mean 192.168.1.1 then you need to secure it.

IoweIoweitsofftoworkIgo

Yes! I will look at the links provided, thanks