Connection Problem to Network Printer

Question

I just purchased a Dell 1525 with downgrade package XP Pro and the notebook has a Dell wireless lan card 1505.  I tried connecting to my network printer last night wirelessly through a NETGEAR wireless network and cannot connect to the printer.  The printer is connected to a desktop Dell 4600 via USB connection but the desktop is connected to wireless network through Netgear router and hard cable.  For some reason the note book cannot recognize the printer and the computer that is on the network.  Wonder if its a firewall issue or antivirus issue ( I just installed Macfee on desktop).  The desktop also runs on XP Pro so same operating systems.  I have no problem connecting to the network printer through my other lap top, a Dell 1521 in Vista with a 1505 wireless lan card.  What is going on?   Need help to understand what to do.

Davet50 · Answer

Are all the computer on the same network group?

Are you running anytype of security on the network

Try booting the non connecting laptop into Safe mode with network support and see if it will connect to the 4600. If it will connect in Safe mode than there is a driver/firewall/av issue when it boots into normal mode.

XP is far easier to get networking then Vista is so this might just be a permissions issue.

ptalar · Answer

I installed Macfee antivirus/firewall software.

ptalar · Answer

1.  Yes 2. No, not that I know of. 3.  Will try and get back with you tomorrow on the last request.

muto · Answer

since you say that another wireless laptop can communicate with the printer shared on the desktop computer but the new Dell Insprion can not, then it is pretty clear that this is a problem with the new machine.  i would first confirm that the laptop is connected to the same wireless network that they others are using.  next, i would temporaily disable the antivirus/firewall software to see if you can then print.  most antivirus software today are entire security 'suits' that have firewall software that are configured agressively by default.  you can reconfigure them but first you have to identify weather or not that is the source of the problem (which is done by disabling it temporarily.  let us know wht antivirus/firewall software you are using and we could probably offer you more specific advice.  good luck.

Davet50 · Answer

Shrugggg... see what happens with the safe mode suggestion.

Brian Lenon · Answer

Check your network settings start\run/cmd type ipconfig /all

Make sure everthing is on the same network.

Make sure the printer is shared.

See if you can ping the printer.

Are you runnig a workgroup or a mini domain?

Make sure your Mc-trashy anti virus is allowing the traffic.

ptalar · Answer

Tried it.  Turns out local network is already trusted. What is the procedure for adding a network printer to a notebook through a wireless network using XP Pro?  Lets start from the beginning.  Where can I find that process?

muto · Answer

you should be able to temporaily disable the mcafee firewall to test and see if that is the cause of the problem.  point to the mcafee icon in the system tray (the series of icons typically found in the lower right hand corner of the desktop, next to the clock in windows xp), right click, and select firewall... and disable it.  if printing works with the firewall disabled then you know it is indeed the source of the problem.  you can then reconfigure the firewall to 'trust' local area network traffic...  if it isn't obvious in their menu then have a look in the mcafee help info for instruction on how to relax the firewall setting to trust the traffic to/from you local area network.

PudgyOne · Answer

ptalar,   What is the make and model of the printer?   Did you try this? Sharing a printer through a wireless network     Rick

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Connection Problem to Network Printer

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