Wireless network questions

[winifreid]

I just got a laptop for my father and dsl. The dsl came with a wireless modem. Here is everything I want to connect: a desktop with a nic running win 2000, a usb printer connected to the desktop and the laptop running XP home with built-in wireless. I will hardwire the modem and desktop via an ethernet cable. What I would like is #1 to be able to print to the printer from the wireless laptop. I would also like to be able to wirelessly sync e-mail between the desktop and the laptop. Finally, I would like to be able to do all this for free or for less than $50.

On another subject. How common and fast are wireless networks? Where can he use the laptop to surf wirelessly? When I installed the dsl modem, I noticed that there was another network listed in the wizard - albeit with low reception. Is this common and can he connect to them?
Thanks

[yoda313]

I think you have to have a print server to print from a wifi connected laptop. Although I think they are making wifi enabled printers now. NOt sure though.

Your free alternative of course is to email the pages to your own email account from your laptop and then login to your email on your desktop and print from there. Works like a charm.

I don't know prices on print servers for wifi though - They should be under a $100 these days but I don't know how cheap they are.

A wifi G is 54mpbs maximium. A superG is 100 or so. A B is 11mbps I believe. The N series is much faster than G but I don't know the specs.

[redwudz]

As long as the computer with the connected printer is on, you can use it as a shared printer over the network. If it's not on, you would need a print server, as mentioned. I use a router with a combined print server, so the printer is available anytime.

For connecting to other wireless networks, it depends if they are public or not. Some private users don't protect their wireless network from outside hookups. It's really not proper to use their connection when they don't authorize it.

[winifreid]

How would I set up the network to share the printer if the desktop is left on?
Thanks

[Conquest10]

It is just like adding a regular printer. Just choose a network printer instead of a local printer.

[redwudz]

What Conquest10 said. You will need to install the printer drivers to each PC that will use the printer. If you are using XP, it can guide you through the process of setting up a network printer.

EDIT: W2000 should be able to do the same.

[winifreid]

So even without adding a wireless print server, I will be able to print from the laptop when the desktop is turned on?
Thanks

[Conquest10]

If the printer is hooked up to the desktop and the desktop is on the network, yes.

[Scorpion King]

I have DSL hooked to a wireless router which is hooked to my home computer. My laptop is wireless. I used the Windows XP My Network Places network setup wizard and easily setup file and print sharing between my 2 computers. My printer is hooked to my home computer so it must be turned on when I wish to print from the laptop. I haven't tried the email thing you want to do but I think you send the message to a specific ip address. For this to work you would need to manually assign ip addresses for these two computers and not let the ip address be setup automatically because they could change.

As far as using your neighbors internet by breaking into his unprotected wireless network goes it is illegal so don't do it. Your neightbor is a fool for not enabling encryption and leaving his network wide open for anyone driving by to use his internet and his internet ip address for who-knows-what. You need to enable encryption on your fathers router and also change the password on the setup program. You would be surprised just how many wireless routers are out there using the default password and running no security at all. I guess people just set there wondering why all those lights are flashing all the time.

Good luck.

[winifreid]

I am having trouble connecting to the printer. I can surf with the laptop via the wireless modem, so that part works. But I can not add ythe printer on the laptop. The laptop has XP home and the desktop connected to the modem/router is running windows 2000. When I try to add a network printer in XP, the wireless network shows up, with MSHOME and WORKGROUP, listed, but no printers show up. What do I need to do. I am not sure that I have 2000 set correctly. I do have the usb printer set to share. Help.

[redwudz]

Have you been able to install the printer drivers on all computers that will use it? You mention MSHOME and WORKGROUP. Do you have more than one workgroup set up? You need to use the same workgroup on all machines, AFAIK. W2000 should set up just like XPHome

[winifreid]

Thanks, I am new to this network stuff. I did not set up a network on 2000 as far as I know. I just plugged in the wireless modem. The MSHOME and WORKGROUP just show up in the add network printer dialog. I did not set up either one on the 2000 desktop.
I also might not have all the services running in 2000 that are necessary for this. I have not been able to find a step by step description on how to set this up.

[redwudz]

You need to set up the W2000 machine for networking also, if the printer is running off it. Just use the same workgroup name for all computers. You can change it in Control Panel>System>Computer Name>Change. You will probably have to reboot for it to take effect. You are 'remotely operating' the other computer to use the printer, so you have to have contact with it. You don't have to share files, though, just the printer.

Once both computers are members of the same workgroup, they should see each other. And hopefully you will have a new shared printer icon in your printer folder.

I just bought a new printer with LAN connection capability. It acts just like another computer with it's own LAN address, so I don't need a print server any more. Very easy to set up. I also use 'Wake on LAN' with one of my other computers, so I can turn it on from the other room. I wish I knew about that when I used the setup like you have. It would have saved having to go into the other room to turn on the computer when I wanted to print.