Greetings Jim,

Is the printer attached to the computer running Windows ME? If so, you tell it to add a local printer. If the printer is attached to another computer, you tell it to add a network printer. You don't connect the printer to the ports on the router, you connect the printer to a machine.

Adding a network printer is no different running wireless or wired. They are pretty much the same procedure. Most printer problem are caused at the local level, they are not all due to network problems.

If it asks for a path, you can enter that path. However, you can browse for the printer. Make sure that printer is shared. The machine that is attached to the printer, go to that machine and go into the Printers. Select the printer and right-click it and choose Sharing. Ensure File and Printer sharing is enabled.

It may ask for appropriate drivers for the printer and you may need to install them. If you are running any third party firewalls such as ZoneAlarm, Norton, or Mcafee firewall make sure there is nothing blocking access between the machines.

I hope this helps.

Thank you for using Dell Community forums.

No, sorry, Eric is wrong. With a directly attached network printer like the 4050TN, you dont need a machine sharing it.

Here are the real instructions:

1) Start|Settings|Control Panels|Printers & Faxes|Add Printer
2) Click Next
3) Local printer (yes, this is weird, i know), uncheck Automatically detect, then click next.
4) Create a new port of type Standard TCP/IP. Click next.
5) Click Next in the box that pops up. Enter the IP address of your printer (you can get it from the printer by having it print a configuration summary page). Use the default. Click next.
6) It may or may not ask you what kind of device it is...chose Hewlett Packard JetDirect.
7) Click Next, then Finish. The smaller window will close and bring you back to choosing your printer type. Choose an HP LaserJet 4050 PCL6. Choose Next, Set your printer name, and Next again.
8) Press OK to a test page, and you are all set!

Yes, Matt sharing a printer isn't necessary if it is a local printer and no other machines are going to share it. Your instructions looks like it will work for a local printer. The printer must be shared in order for other machines on the network to share it. I took it since a there is a router that there are other machines on the network that may use the printer. 

Thank you for using Dell Community forums.

No, i think you are still confused. A HP 4050TN has its OWN network card, and OWN IP, and is always shared via itself. You do NOT need to reshare it via a PC to print to it from multiple computers. You simply follow the setup procedure on each PC you wish to print from.

The reason my instructions looks like their are for a local printer is bacause that ios the specific way you need to setup a printer for an HP JetDirect. However, it is still dont over the network.

Thanks Eric and Matt for your responses.
I shall be attempting again to setup this printer in the way I was wanting to do it
which seems to be consistent with Matt's approach.
I had been told that this printer was designed to do this.
Although it may take several days, I will report back after I have had a chance to do it.
Thanks again to both of you for your responses.
Jim

Definitly let us know if it works.