I've gone to all three links that Steve mentioned and I seem to run into a dead end at the "find printers" point each time. When I click on the printer icon it shows no printer listed and when I tell it to browse for a printer I get three listings. First one says Microsoft Windows Network and the other two are the names I've given each of the two computers ( main and den ). I've typed in each of these and the name of the printer ( canon pixma ip8500 ) numerous times but to no avail. I always get the Connect to Printer window that says "Windows cannot connect to the printer. Either the name was typed incorrectly or the specified printer has lost its connection to the server". I've enabled the printer sharing feature. Both the 8300 and 2400 have an XP os. Since I ran the blue cable w/8wires to the router myself, can I assume that if the internet and mail functions work ok (which they do) that the wiring is not the problem? Appreciate your help and patience as this seems like it should be simple enough for even me to hookup but.........tubbman.
Do you have any firewalls running that may be blocking file and printer sharing? 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. If you are running any third party firewalls, like those provided by such programs as Zone Alarm, Norton Internet Security, or McAfee Security Center, make sure they are configured to allow local network traffic.
Steve- Both computers have XP w/ SP2. On both of them I do have the Windows Firewall on, and there is a check mark on both machines in the exceptions tab entry labeled File and Print Sharing. I have McAfee on the 8300 ( hooked up to the printer) and ZoneAlarm on the 2400. Both programs tell me that they are set up to allow for home network communication. Let me mention again that I connected each of the eight wires in the blue cable ( I think it was labeled 5e ) to female connectors on each end of the line ( one is connected to the router and the other end into the 2400.) Does a good internet connection rule out the possibilty of my having miswired one of the connectors? Also on one of the links you sent me I saw an ad for printer sharing that cost $39. Is this a viable alternative? Thanks again for your help in this, tubbman.
There is nothing wrong with the ethernet cable if both computers have intenret access. I suggest you turn off all firewalls completely until you get this problem resolved. Then, note that you should never be running more than 1 firewall as multiple firewalls tend to conflict with one another.
Steve- Thanks for the quick response. I'm glad to know the wiring is ok. I will do as you suggest re the firewalls. I will turn off the McAfee and Zone Alarm firewalls. Do I also turn off the XP firewalls on each unit? tubbman.
This is a troubleshooting step. Turn off all firewalls until you get the problem solved. Once everything works, you can configure whichever firewall you choose to use so that it will both be effective in blocking bad stuff as well as allowing local network access.
You were right on with your advice, Steve. Disabling the Windows firewalls on both computers and also each computers aftermarket firewalls immediately solved the problem. When I went to the "add a printer" icon my printer was brought right up and accepted. I would like to ask you about your comment on multiple firewalls. If I only install a firewall, lets say the McAfee I have on the 8300, but disable the ZoneAlarm I have on the 2400, does this not leave my 2400 vulnerable? ( Maybe you meant I should disable the Windows firewalls if I have installed my own)? Thank you again for sharing your knowledge with all of us on the forum, much appreciated. tubbman.
volcano11
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October 4th, 2005 23:00
Try some of the following for starters. Post back if you have problems.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspx
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1596
http://kb.iu.edu/data/ahrs.html
Steve
klbf
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October 6th, 2005 00:00
that might help
-----------
Dimension 8300
P4 CPU 2.80GHz 800MHz BIOS A05
1024MB DDR-SDRAM 400MHz
Sparkle 6600GT 128mb 500mhz/1000mhz
BearPaw 2400TA Scanner
USB 2.0 tv tuner
NEC DVD+RW ND-2100AD
Pioneer 16x DVD+/-RW DL DVR-109
HP usb CD-Writer+ 8200
256Mb-64mb Usb drives
Wacom graphire3 4x5inch
Creative Audigy 2 ZS
Conexant SmartHSFi V.9x 56K DF PCI Modem ,ADSL DSL-200
HP deskjet 3550
seagate sata 120Gb
seagate sata 160Gb
seagate usb2 external 200Gb
15inch LCD
pci cooler
8446 3dmark03
3498 3dmark05
PCmark05 3448
klbf
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October 6th, 2005 02:00
Tubbman
73 Posts
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October 6th, 2005 02:00
volcano11
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28K Posts
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October 6th, 2005 03:00
Tubmann,
Do you have any firewalls running that may be blocking file and printer sharing? 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. If you are running any third party firewalls, like those provided by such programs as Zone Alarm, Norton Internet Security, or McAfee Security Center, make sure they are configured to allow local network traffic.
Steve
Tubbman
73 Posts
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October 6th, 2005 14:00
Message Edited by Tubbman on 10-06-2005 10:25 AM
volcano11
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October 6th, 2005 14:00
There is nothing wrong with the ethernet cable if both computers have intenret access. I suggest you turn off all firewalls completely until you get this problem resolved. Then, note that you should never be running more than 1 firewall as multiple firewalls tend to conflict with one another.
Steve
Tubbman
73 Posts
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October 6th, 2005 17:00
Message Edited by Tubbman on 10-06-2005 01:12 PM
volcano11
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28K Posts
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October 6th, 2005 19:00
This is a troubleshooting step. Turn off all firewalls until you get the problem solved. Once everything works, you can configure whichever firewall you choose to use so that it will both be effective in blocking bad stuff as well as allowing local network access.
Steve
klbf
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2.7K Posts
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October 7th, 2005 17:00
Tubbman
73 Posts
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October 7th, 2005 17:00
Tubbman
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October 7th, 2005 19:00
volcano11
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October 7th, 2005 19:00
In response to your previous question, you should only have one firewall running on each computer.
Steve
Tubbman
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October 7th, 2005 21:00