Trying to share Printer on Vista

Norton Security | Norton Internet Security
21

Like I've said before I think it may have to do with the router and not the desktop, the laptop, or the NIS 2009 which is installed on both of them...

 

Before I was using a Netgear router.  I was able to set up Printer Sharing between the desktop and the sony vaio notebook that I used to own.  And back then BOTH the laptop and the desktop showed up in the Vista Network map. Both of them showed up in the NIS 2008 Network map as well.

 

So please consider that and let me know what I can do. I can logon to the routers settings page if you need to look at the settings that the router has.

22

Hi Cassiline,

 

I also think this time it is a router issue.

 

I went to the Linksys website and downloaded the PDF user guide.  Although I only skimmed through it, I did not see anything that would shed light on your issue.

 

Perhaps if someone else looks at it, they may find something that I missed.

23

I have had mixed support from Linksys, most of it good.  I would give them another shot and hope that this time you give a technician who actually wants to be helpful.

24

A last questionaire before I hit the hay.

 

You have presented us with so many configurations trying to follow everyone's advice and suggestions that I am not sure what all you have actually done.  (Bless you.)

 

So here is what I want to know if you did.  The information is invaluable.

 

Forget printers for the moment.

 

1.  Have you hooked both computers up by wire to the router at the same time?

 

2.  If you then turned one computer completely off, can the other one get online?

 

3.  If you next turned the second computer completely off, can the first one get online?

 

4.  If you have both of them on and you choose a folder in some subdirectory (like my photos) and choose "share" with no limitations on the sharing, can the other computer see that folder when you open the second computer's "My Computer" and work your way down to "My network Places"?

If your answer to even one of 2, 3, or 4 is a "no," then you are having either a router problem or a network settings problem.

 

If the answer to 2 or 3 is "no", then you must have your computer configured so that one is a slave and the other is a master.  I don't recommend that configuration because the master must always be on.  Or else your router is not set up right or is broken.

 

If the answers to 2 and 3 are both "yes" and 4 is "no", then the basic configurations must be correct; but there is a networking configuration problem.  The MS wizard for home networking SHOULD help with that, but my guess is that you already tried it and it didn't work.  This might be a windows security issue (distinct from Windows Firewall) and something you answered somewhere made it impossible for the two computers to talk.

 

I would be surprised if the answers to 2, 3, and 4 are all "yes," but at least it will be useful info for all of us to ponder.

 

Also, if your answer to 2 or 3 is "no", that is a basis for demanding help from Linksys; and probably even for getting help is 4 is "no".

 

 

Message Edited by mijcar on 10-06-2008 10:39 PM
25

1) Both computers are connected WIRELESSLY to the router. Again WIRELESS.  No ethernet cords.

 

2) Yes I can get online with both computers even if the other is turned off.

 

3)  YES

 

4) NO. 

 

 

Again I cannot share a single thing.


Someone over at cNet said that it's POSSIBLE that NIS 2009 is blocking ports even when I turn the firewall off and that that may be interfering with my network and preventing them from pinging one another.  Is that possible and if it is what do I do.


Also where are the real Symantec employees?  What do I have to do in order to get this working.  NIS 2009 is very different from 2008 so maybe I'm missing something or maybe the networking is different.

26

Anything is possible, Cassiline.  But the reason I asked about the wired part is that that is the first check of computer communication.  The reason I wasn't able to reach my computer wirelessly turned out to be because the default somehow changed to 10 character security key instead of 20 (or something like that) and I had to manually go through the security settings.  Once done, all the problems blew away.  But we first checked communication wired.

 

I will try to remember the exactly steps.

 

First, my dentist to repair a broken crown.

27

Okay I'm gonna try to explain this one more time...

 

 I'm trying to do Printer Sharing...The very subject that I posted about. I had a vaio notebook and the SAME desktop a few months ago. The desktop had Norton IS 2008. I had already set up the Windows settings PERFECTLY on both systems. Everything was RIGHT. In addition the computers were seeing each other when I clicked on "view full map" under the "Network and Sharing Center". Do you have Vista? If so then you SHOULD know exactly what I'm talking about.  Also at this time we had a Netgear wireless router which both computers were connected to wirelessly.  Now after changing the wireless ntetwork to being trusted under Norton 2008 I was able to get the computers talking and able to set it up fine. 

 

So what's changed? There are 3 BIG DIFFERENCES.

1) Now we no longer have the vaio. We have a HP dv5t. We have the SAME desktop.

2) we no longer have the Netgear router. We replaced it with the Linksys WRT610N. Why!? Because it has Dual N Band and I wanted 1 band for my 2.4 GHz devices and for the 5GHz band to only broadcast Wireless N only.

3) Both devices are connected to the SAME Linksys router on the SAME bandwidth (the 2.4GHz). Yet when I go to the "Network and Sharing Center" on Vista (again remember BOTH computers are running Vista). I can only see the computer that I'm, the router, and the internet globe icon. So for example on the DESKTOP when I go to Network and Sharing Center and click on "view full map" on the top right it brings up the map but the map only shows the desktop computer icon and it's name connected wirelessly to the Router icon (with the router's name) connected to the internet globe icon.

I don't know how much clearer I can be. I've tried turning off the firewall completely and pinging from each system to other. NOTHING is sent. All I get is "Destination host unreachable".

Now you say that even if I turned off the firewall that it's possible that it's still blocking the pinging right? Well if that's the case how do I fix it.  It was Norton's fault last time around.  So it's possible that it's something to do with Norton this time around.  That was my only complaint about Symantec and Norton Internet Security.  I was hoping that things would be improved in this aspect.  Or at the very least Norton should give it's users a GUIDE on how to enable sharing between computers on the same network.  As it is the Norton home network button doesn't even recognize the other computer that is on the same network as the base computer.
28

Cassaline,

 

You might consider that you are getting angry at the wrong people.

 

The people here ARE trying to help you.

 

To me, it doesn't sound like our problem.  It doesn't sound like a Norton problem.  So those of us responding are doing so out of good will.

 

No one asked you to explain "one more time."  To put it bluntly, your explanation didn't do me one bit of good.  I don't need it.  Maybe someone else would benefit from it and can help you.

 

You may think you are giving specifics, but what I hear is only the basis for your anger.  Would you prefer finding a solution or expressing your feelings?

 

Telling me what you computers used to do when

        a.  one of them was a different computer

        b.  the router was different

        c.  and the software was different (at least between the old computer and the new computer)

 does not give me any idea of what the current issue is.

 

You seem perturbed that I am talking about file-sharing when your problem is print-sharing.  Both, Casseline, require that the computers be able to find each other.  That is what I am trying to find out about.  Possible problems include: dynamic versus static IP addresses; disparate subnet addresses; length of security key; security key generator.  All of these are more fundamental than blocked ports and security software and the other esoterica we have been exploring.

 

The questions I have been trying to get clearly answered are on the par with "are you sure you're plugged in," and believe it or not this is where the problem is most likely to be.

 

Call Linksys back, tell them your router isn't routing, and ask them to walk you through the basic set-up starting from scratch.  I mean go right back to your security level, security type, security key, password, user name, and security key generator.

 

 

29

Well it doesn't sound you're trying AT ALL. I haven't seen a single Symantec employee even respond to my concerns.


I'm going to completely uninstall NIS 2009 from my computer. Restart and try to do the Network thing one more time and see if they can find each other when connected to the router.

 

IF that works will you and Symantec believe me that it's NIS and not the router? 

Because I've heard from SEVERAL people both online at various forums and in different stores such as Best Buy and Circuit City that it's very possible for Norton to be blocking w/e is supposed to be occuring between the laptop and the desktop EVEN THOUGH the firewall has been disabled.

 

 I've already told you what the problem/issue is. You just won't listen.

 

I described what happened in the PAST so you could compare to what's happening NOW.  Also to serve as a basis for the fact that I do happen to know a few things. 

 

I know file sharing and printer sharing are operating on the same principles.  That's not what's bothering me. What's bothering me is 

 

1) No Norton rep is considering my problem.

2) I keep having to repeat things I've said plenty of times before.

3) The questions you're asking are wasting my time.

 

I'm  not sure what you mean by plugged in. Do you mean do I have an internet connection?  Again the answer is YES.  I can connect to the internet from either computer regardless of whether or not the other computer is turned on.  

 

Finally all those issues you mentioned..." dynamic versus static IP addresses; disparate subnet addresses; length of security key; security key generator."  How exactly do I go about finding out if any of those is the problem causing the issue? 

 

However before you answer that I"m going to first uninstall NIS 2009 from BOTH the laptop and the desktop.  I'm then going to WAIT 10  minutes.  Then I"m going to RESTART both of them.  Connect to the wireless router again.  And see if they show up in the "Network & Sharing Center" for Vista.

 

But of course you're using obsolete XP so you probably have no clue what is going with Vista or any of the things I'm mentioning.  Well I never had to bothered with internet connections/etc with XP so I have no idea how it would work with that.  All I know is Vista and to be honest it's pretty simple and easy to understand. I've called MS and confirmed that I have all the settings set to the right thing in order to enable printer sharing.  I've enabled sharing for the printer directly.  So all that's good and ready to go.  

 

So the only problems here are either with NIS or with the router itself. 

30

"Well it doesn't sound you're trying AT ALL."

 

 

Everyone here is volunteering their time to assist with your issue. And on behalf of all those who have contributed, I find the tone of your most recent post to be offensive and unwarranted.

 

XP is not obsolete and is widely in use.  I have both XP and Vista running so your statement "you probably have no clue what is going with Vista..." is way out of line, as is the rest of your rant.

 

If you feel the folks at Best Buy and Circuit City can better help you then please feel free to consult with them.

 

 

 

 

31

First off Phil did I say that the guys at BB or CC could better help me?  No.  I went to them because it was taken a while to get a response here and of course talking to Linksys did nothing.

 

Now for a status update. I uninstalled NIS 2009 from both the laptop and the desktop.  

 

I then restarted the 2 computers. Connected them both to the same router.  Gave it a few minutes. Then I went to the Network and Sharing Center and clicked on "view full map".

 

 

And the same problem that I originally posted about still occured.  Again the laptop network map ONLY showed the laptop computer, the router, and the internet globe icon. 

 

The desktop network map ONLY showed the desktop computer, the router, and the internet globe icon.

 

So based on that I don't think it's NIS 2009 at all.  Is that correct?

 

Also based on what I've JUST told you what do you think the issue could be or might be.  And then what I should do about it at THIS point.
32

If you have uninstalled NIS 2009 from both computers and are still having the issue, then it is either Vista or the router. You have taken Norton out of the equation.

 

I believe it is the router.

 

I would call Linksys again and without using the term "printer sharing", tell them that you cannot see the "other" computer on the respective Vista Network and Sharing Center.

 

Once you are able to see the "other" computer on each of your computers, I am hopeful that the printer issue will be resolved.

33

Thank You. I will call tomorrow and see what I can do…

34

I'm jumping in now, CK, after being off-line on vacation for about 4 weeks and there is no way I can absorb this whole thread.

 

I'd like to say that I think you are on the right lines now in bypassing Norton as a necessary cause of your current problem -- it's been a whipping boy for ages and I'm sure that is one reason it appears so frequently in messages posted about problems.

 

Before I went on vacation I kept a good eye on the Printers and Scanners folder of the Microsoft VISTA newsgroup and I can assure you that the biggest single problem with VISTA and printers -- after the absence of printer drivers initially -- has been with printer sharing regardless of what else is part of the system.

 

One thing that seems to be necessary is for a printer driver to be installed on the PC(s) that does not have the printer connected to it if that is your setup or is the printer a network connected printer?

 

These are things I have picked up during the support work I do elsewhere but unfortunately networking is an area in which I have to rely on others.

 

The other thing I wonder about is the description "Private Network" that you use -- when I've set up a network in VISTA I've used the Wizard and found that the way it describes the different setups makes it easy for me to select the setup I want to end up with without having to know the correct terminology. From memory for my setup I use the diagram that shows a router connecting to the internet with a number of PCs connecting to the router and a printer connected to one of the PCs (by USB in my case). VISTA then seems to have no problems in setting it up so the whole thing works.

 

I wonder if it is time to delete your entire network setup and go back to a blank sheet letting VISTA set up the network to work in the way you want. I'd do a bit more exploring but I'm not in VISTA at present but floating around in my memory is that a Private Network is a special case that most people do not want to use.

 

FWIW ....

35

What's up. I hope your vacation was good.

 

As for as the private network. That's what MS is telling me. That's what's on their OWN website. That is what people on all forums have told me is REQUIRED for sharing files, printers, etc.

 

So I'm 100% sure that I'm right on that.

36

I was going thru the router settings and I came across Setup tab. One of the sub tabs is titled DDNS.  It right now is selected as disabled. Is this NORMAL?

 

There are 2 options besides "Disabled"

 

1) DynDNS.org

2) TZO.com

 

I tried researching it and it seems like something that should/could be enabled for networking. 

 

Also on the main Basic Setup tab I noticed these settings.

 

!) Internet Connection Type: Automatic Configuration: DHCP

2) DHCP Server: Enabled

 

Should I look into any of that before I call?

Message Edited by CassilineKnight on 10-08-2008 01:09 AM
37

Leave everything alone and let Linksys walk through the whole thing with you, from scratch.

38

GK is correct about the private network.   This is to indicate that the network is a secure network (Home/Office) rather than a public network such as at a hotspot or hotel, airport etc.  

 

Again GK can you connect the two computers to the router via cables.  If you do this you will only be using the switch portion of the router and the firewall or any rules should not come into play.  If you can share a folder or printer, then the problem lies with the router configuration or the hardware itself.  If you still cannot share anything then the problem is with the windows configuration.

Message Edited by 10ACTony on 10-08-2008 07:57 AM
39
CassilineKnight wrote:

I was going thru the router settings and I came across Setup tab. One of the sub tabs is titled DDNS.  It right now is selected as disabled. Is this NORMAL?

 

There are 2 options besides "Disabled"

 

1) DynDNS.org

2) TZO.com

 

I tried researching it and it seems like something that should/could be enabled for networking. 

 

Also on the main Basic Setup tab I noticed these settings.

 

!) Internet Connection Type: Automatic Configuration: DHCP

2) DHCP Server: Enabled

 

Should I look into any of that before I call?

Message Edited by CassilineKnight on 10-08-2008 01:09 AM

Ck,

DynDNS.org and TZO.com are used to assign a host and domain name to your router that will always be the same even though your IP address changes.   It doesn't come into play for your issues.

 

The other two settings are standard and what they do is allow your router to set up the IP address for each device connected to the router.  That is where the 192.168.1.101 and 102 came from.   And again that will not have any bearing on what you are experiencing. 

40

I think I'm gonna give up.

 

Nothing has changed in terms of Windows. I haven't changed anything when it comes o the settings that are required for sharing files and printers.

 

again I have NOT changed anything.

 

At this point I've removed Norton completely from the 2 systems. And they still  cannot see each other. The next step is going to be to reset the router and call Linksys so that I can start from scratch.

 

I should NOT have to connect any of these comptuers thru a wired connection in order to get this to work. That just seems retarded and counterproductive to my aims when it comes to home networking.

 

There's a wireless card in bot hte laptop and the desktop and I want to take advantage of that fact. 

 

Plus like I've mentioned before I've had this setup before without much trouble.  And it was working fine. The only difference was that it was a different laptop and a different router (Netgear).  Also back then the two computers could at least see each other at the same time.

 

So none of you know anything about routers that might help me?