I was at some friends house last night.  They have two computers and one printer. 
 They have been carrying the printer from one computer to the other.  I said, "Oh, 
I have a simple solution, I'll network the printer".  Queue the "Lone Ranger to the 
Rescue" music here.  Yeah, right.  I couldn't get it to work.  Here is the setup.

Computer A is hard wired to a router. Computer B is a notebook connected to the router 
via wifi.  The printer is connected to computer B.  Both computers are running XP 
(SP???).  Both have multiple family members as users but no passwords are used.  
Both computers are using CA antivirus/firewall software.  Both computers can access 
the internet.  I have disabled XP's firewall on both computers.

After a lot of screwing around, I have the following setup.

(1) Both computers have sharing enabled for the printer (even though it is currently 
on computer B, it has been on A before so it is listed as an available printer.)

(2) Both computers have sharing enabled for drive C.

(3) Both computers are in workgroup MSHOME. 

Results:

Computer B CAN access the printer on computer A.  Of course, after some time I get 
an error that the printer is not available.

Computer B CAN access drive C on computer A

Computer A can NOT access the printer on computer B

Computer A can NOT access drive C on computer B.





On computer A, if I try to "Add a Printer", I go through "Browse" and under workgroup 
MSHOME I see two computers, computer B and computer A (usually but sometimes B is 
missing).  If I click on computer B, nothing happens.  If I click on computer A, 
I can see the printer on computer A and other "printers" on A like FAX, etc.

To access drive C on computer B from computer A, I do a similar process with similar 
results.  I go to my computer, Tools, Map network drive, Browse.   I can select MSHOME 
and see two computers, B and A.  If I click on A, I can see the shared folders on 
computer A.  If I click on computer B I get nothing.

I have enabled and disabled sharing of the printer and drive C many times.  I have 
rebooted one or both computers many times.  I have powered down one or both computers 
many times.

Since when did this turn into rocket science?

Thanks In Advance,

Pete

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