can't print or read E-mail

[WLO]

OK I recently configured a small (2 computer) home network. The purpose of the network was to share internet access over a cable modem and also to share a printer. Both computers have NIC's that are connected to a 4 port hub. The cable modem is connected to a router and the router to the same hub as the 2 computers. The internet access works fine on both machines. By the way one computer is a desktop running WIN 98 SE and the other computer is a laptop running WIN Me. The desktop has the printer plugged into a USB port. I am not able to print from the laptop to that printer. Before I knew it was a bad idea I was also doing file sharing between the 2 computers and this worked fine. After I learned more about security issues I disabled file sharing but left print sharing enabled. The drivers appear to be installed as the print program comes up when I try to print but I get an error message saying "can't communicate with printer". As for the email, I am using Outlook Express on both machines ....one account and 2 identities, I have gone through the setup options and they appear to be the same on both machines but can't get Email on the laptop...it is able to send but not receive.....any thoughts.

[surfmaster2000]

printer: where does the message of "can't communicate with printer" originate from? on the desktop or the laptop? What steps did you use to install the printer on the laptop? If you used the software that came with the printer, that is likely the problem. Obviously, windows networking must be set-up and working properly, and I will assume it is. To add this printer properly to the laptop via the network connection you should follow these steps. Click on my computer, then click printers, now you should see an icon add printer. Click add printer, you will have a selection of local printer or network printer. choose network printer. Next it will ask you the location of the printer, just click browse, and assuming it is being shared by the desktop, you should be able to navigate to it with no problem. once you find it select it, follow the steps to finish installation of the printer. The laptop should pull the drivers from the desktop. click yes to print a test page. The desktop will act as the print spooler and should take the request from the laptop and direct it to the printer. The above steps "should" correct your problem.

Email: are you trying to access the same account with the laptop? There are only a few reasons why you can surf no problem but not get access to email. check the obvious. username/password. Next open the mail properties on the desktop and verify the incoming and outgoing mail server addresses. These settings should be exactly the same in the laptop. If they are not...you should change them to match. After that is complete click the send/recieve to check mail. If it produces an error message, take not of it and post it here. I will help you as much as I am able to with this.

Hope this helps,

J

[glc]

The easiest way to install a network printer is to find it in Network Neighborhood, right click on it, and then click Install. If you can't find it in Network Neighborhood, it's not shared correctly.

[AlwaysUp]

Small variation is to find printer in Network Neighborhood (* you won't find it if the printer has not been shared) and double click it. Windows informs you that you will need printer software and would you like to install this? Say yea and tada!