The "Network Cable Unplugged" message refers to the ethernet adapter in your computer.  Is there an ethernet cable plugged into the ethernet adapter?  If you are not trying to connect by ethernet, then the message is just telling you that you are not connecting by ethernet.

As for file and printer sharing, first make sure that File and Printer Sharing is enabled.  Go to Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections > Network Connections.  Right click the connection that you are going to use (probably the wireless conection) and select Properties from the drop down menu.  Look through the list of installed items and make sure the File and Printer Sharing is listed and has a check mark next to it.

Next, open Windows Explorer or My Computer and choose a folder or drive to share.  Right click on it and choose "Sharing" from the drop-down menu.  (Note that by default, Windows will not let you share the Windows folder, the Program Files folder, or any folder under Documents and Settings, except the All Users/Documents folder, which is also the Shared Documents folder).  You can do the same for a printer you want to share by opening the Printers and Faxes folder from the Start menu.

If this has been done, the most common reason that File and Printer Sharing won't work is improperly configured firewalls.  On any computer running Windows XP with SP1, disable the Windows XP firewall. It will not allow File and Printer Sharing. On computers running Windows XP with SP2, make sure that the Windows XP firewall has File and Printer Sharing checked off on the Exceptions tab of the Windows firewall.   If you are running any third party firewalls, like those provided by such programs as Zone Alarm, Norton Internet Security, or McAfee Security Suite, make sure they are configured to allow local network traffic.

Steve

no-support,

Are you absolutely 100%, positively, undeniably sure that you have configured all possible firewalls to allow local network access.  If you are not, then disable or completely uninstall all firewalls until you get it to work.

Steve

You should never be running more than one firewall at a time.  Do you have Norton Internet Security or McAfee Security Suite?  Both of these have firewalls and both come with documentation on how to configure them to allow local network access.  If you disable the firewalls in these programs then you should enable the Windows firewall.  If you have configured the firewall in Norton or McAfee so that it allows local network access, then disable the Windows firewall.

As for your other question - if one computer is connected by wireless (notebook in a docking station) and one is by cable (desktop), is it a must that the printer be connected to the desktop as the host in the network setup? The printer can be connected to any computer on the network and still be available to all other computers on the network.  The only requirement is that the computer to which the printer is connected must be powered on when another computer wants to print.

Steve