The cable modem is hooked up to the girlfriend's desktop computer.  My laptop connects via linksys router.  I want to create a network so I can only access the printer that is connected to her desktop.  How do I go about this?

You already have a network if you have a router. But computers need to be in the same 'workgroup', (My Computer/properties/computer name/ change button,if different, change requires reboot). I assume both are XP. Once both are in same workgroup, you go to the printer properties and share the printer. Go to laptop and double click on My Network places and it should show up. Then, go to laptop printer properties and add a printer, choose network and browse and pick the shared prnter. It CAN be that simple, it may not.


ByteTheBullet  (-:

get a usb printserver. the printer's usb cord plugs into the server (it's just a small plastic box smaller than a cigarette pack), then you connect the printserver to your router with a cat 5 cable. as long as the printserver is in the same i.p. address range as the computers on your router, they will all be able to see the printserver and use the printer. this way you dont need any of the individual computers networked together.

Quoted: get a usb printserver. the printer's usb cord plugs into the server (it's just a small plastic box smaller than a cigarette pack), then you connect the printserver to your router with a cat 5 cable. as long as the printserver is in the same i.p. address range as the computers on your router, they will all be able to see the printserver and use the printer. this way you dont need any of the individual computers networked together.

The computers are still considered "networked" together whether you have file sharing or printer sharing turned on. A print server isn't necessarily a bad idea, but most multi function printers will not work with print servers.

-d