Printing and Internet

[danl_9x]

The problem is:

My XP and Server are connected to a modem linked by a router (Linksys WRTG54) and my Vista is linked wirelessly. I use my Vista for all my work and the XP and Server are just for backup. The only way I can print (from my laptop {Vista}) is when I connect to the router and clone my mac address. That’s ok but then I have to go to the XP and clone the mac address to (that computer {XP}) so I can get back on the internet with my Vista. I shouldn’t have to do that but I don’t know what settings and where the settings are to fix the problem.

Can someone lend a hand, Thanks?

[guns1inger]

This forums is for guides, which your post isn't. I have request a mod to shift it this time, but next think about where you post.

This should be a fairly simple matter of switching on file and print sharing on the server so that your Vista machine can see it from anywhere on the network. There should not be a need to clone MAC addresses to put the vista box on the router either.

I suggest you do some reading of your router manual and learn how to configure the security on it. If you have MAC security enabled, add the MAC address of the Vista laptop to the ACL so you can use the router as needed.

[Baldrick]

Moving you to our computer section.

[danl_9x]

Wow what a lot of time you wasted writing that smart a__ remark!!!

And thanks to the mod for moving it.

[Nelson37]

Your problem is not printing, your problem is screwed up router settings. The section on MAC addressing should not be hard to find, get in there and fix it.

It would be very helpful to know just exactly how your printer is connected for options related to that issue.

[danl_9x]

The printer is connected directly to the XP thru usb. I've done all that I know in the router but I must be missing something somewhere. I've turned everything on and stopped blocking everything but still nothing. Even shut down fire walls.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

what's smart-ass? He told you to turn on print and file sharing so you can hit your printer from any PC on your network.
Then he gave you some good advice about security.
Pissed that he prefaced it with advice on paying attention?

[danl_9x]

If it was that easy I wouldn't have looked for help. Maybe you need to look again.

[redwudz]

I'm guessing you mean all three computers are hooked to the router, one wirelessly? I'm not clear where the modem comes into the picture, unless you have a different setup. Normally, you turn on the computer that has the printer plugged into it, turn on sharing for the printer and it should show up on all computers hooked to the router. If not, you likely have a router problem.

I assume you have the printer drivers installed on all computers.

I've used the setup as I described off and on for years with no problems. I how have a networked printer because it was a PITA to always have to turn on the PC with the printer attached.

Now if you are using a internet connection to access the printer, that's a bit more complex. Then internet addresses would be involved.

BTW, Vista is a bit more difficult to set up for networking, mostly because of the added security features, but I still print from any of my Vista computers without any problems. My Vista laptop is wirelessly hooked to my router. Vista>XP machines is especially problematic at times.

Are you able to see shared files from the XP machine with the printer on you Vista computer?

[danl_9x]

Yes on the 1st question and the modem is hooked to the XP pc. I have turned on all sharing and print drivers installed.

I'm not using the internet to access the printer.

No I can't see my shared files and I need to move some stuff around.

After I reinstalled Vista I couldn't see my shared files or access neither the XP, Server or printer anymore thru MSTSC after I installed the print drivers.

I think I messed up the router settings somewhere in there and I can't get it back to where it was unless I clone my 'mac address' from the Vista to the router. Then I can access the printer, XP and server but not the internet until I clone it back to the XP.

I hope you understand what I'm saying, and thanks for the help Redwudz

[redwudz]

Can the other XP computer see the shared files on the computer with the printer attached, and use the printer? If so, you may have a Vista problem that I have dealt with a few times. Sometimes my Vista computers refuse to see my server files on a XP machine. When I reinstalled Vista, they were all back. Unfortunately, I have yet to figure out why.

It doesn't really matter except for your internet access, but normally a modem is hooked to the router, not directly to a PC, if I understand your setup.

If you do have a Vista>XP communication problem, I really don't have many answers. Most of the time you should get the error: "Windows cannot access 'xxxxx'" and a reason "Access is denied" It has to do mainly with permissions and the paths to the file, folder or device, and MS is less than helpful with a simple cure. If you are getting an error code, let us know the exact text.

EDIT: And you may have already tried this, but disable sharing for the XP folders in the printer computer, then activate it again after rebooting the XP computer. That may clear something out. Reboot the Vista computer also before trying to access the folder or printer. I tried about everything, and got it working, but not sure which one of many steps I tried fixed it. I think something in the Vista computer, probably in the registry needs resetting to make it easier. It's like Vista will not reset the sharing settings.

[danl_9x]

After unplugging the router and cycling XP and Vista I can know see my shared folders and I can print.

Thanks for your help redwudz

[redwudz]

At least it was an easy fix.

[Nelson37]

Hook the modem up correctly, and disable MAC address cloning on the router. You are sharing the modem thru a software interface instead of using the hardware specifically designed for the purpose. With this setup, MAC address cloning serves no useful purpose other than to cause network problems.

If and when you change connections on the cable modem, make sure and power it off for a few minutes.

One trick around the connectivity issues described by others is to search for the other computer by name, using the Search function. XP to XP connections often fail as well, but the Search always works. I have never found an adequate explanation for either of these.

[danl_9x]

If I disable clone and reset everything I can open my pc and server from my laptop but no internet on any.

[Nelson37]

Pull ALL cables from the modem, wait 3-5 minutes. Repeat ALL cables. If it has a battery, pull that also.

Most cable modems "lock-on" to the first hardware address - MAC - that they see, and will not connect to another unless the memory is cleared by the power-off procedure. This is a main reason the cloning option is available in the first place.

By using internet sharing thru a PC instead of the router, you are losing speed and security while complicationg networking issues. You have a piece of hardware specifically designed for this purpose, and no other. Use it. Otherwise, just replace the router with a standard switch and static all the IP's. For a small network, I use static IP anyway and eliminate DHCP. One less thing to fail.

[danl_9x]

Nelson I will try that, it sounds logical but on the router do I 'enable or disable' cloning?

When we hooked the modem up I don't remember if if the router was 'enabled or disabled' and it wouldn't connect and he wasn't required to make it work. He was required to make the modem work to the pc. So he had to leave the modem hooked to the pc only.

That's when I started my mess.

[danl_9x]

Nelson37 right on the money. I set my router to disable cloning, unplugged everything and plulled the battery out for about 30 minutes. Hooked the modem and just the router up and it took wireless 1st, then the others. All's good except 'mstsc' but I'll try to work it myself 1st. A big THANKS for your help!!!

[Nelson37]

No problem.

The providers won't mess with the router, it isn't their equipment and they don't want to get involved, frankly I don't blame them. There was a time when if you wanted two PCs on the Internet, they would tell you that you had to buy two modems. BS, I'm paying for the pipeline, how I choose to spray the contents is my baby, not theirs.

As for Terminal Services, or Remote Desktop, there's a couple of tricks but take some time and see if you can figure it out. You'll learn more stuff that way. IP addressing and firewall on the PC, and port forwarding on the router are things to look at. This is also a reason to eliminate DHCP, in fact a near-necessity.

Keep digging, you'll get it. If you run into a problem, come back and ask.