How do I share one printer with a desktop computer (vista) and two laptops (xp)?

1) Ensure that all your computers are connected to the same router, either wired or wireless.

2) Add all your computers into the same workgroup.

On XP, go to Control Panel -> System -> Computer Name -> Change -> Select Workgroup and type in a workgroup name.

On Vista, go to Control Panel -> System -> Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings -> Change Settings -> Computer Name -> Change -> Under Workgroup, type in a workgroup name.

All your computers should operate under the same workgroup. You may need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

3) Switch on all computers and go to Network Place. If your configurations are correct, you should see all the computers and their names.

On XP, go to My Computer -> My Network Places in the sidebar -> View workgroup computers in the side bar

On Vista, go to Start -> Network

4) Turn on your printer and find your printer on the desktop. Right click and go to properties. Under the Sharing tab, click Share this Printer and type in a Share name. This will allow the other computers to find your printer.

5) In the (XP) computer, navigate to the printer. For example, if your Vista computer’s name is Vista, and the printer’s name is CanonPrinter, go to \\Vista, and double-click CanonPrinter. That should install the printer on the XP computer. Do the same for the other computer.

6) You are done. Next time when you want to print, find the printer named \\Vista\CanonPrinter.

Note that for this to work, your Vista computer have to be switched on. Unless you have a networked printer, this is pretty much the workarounds for most normal printers. In a network printer, connect your printer to the router via a Ethernet cable and find it in your network.

Yes you can. There are a few ways you can do it. I am going to explain in the best possible way I can. I have done all the methods listed below. If you have parallel ports on your computers (should look like the picture in the source box) and a Centronics port on your printer, you can purchase a Data Switch and the Printer cables. Connect the Printer to the fixed port and connect the computers to the A or B ports. You have to install the driver for the printer on the computers and flip the data switch to the computer you want to print from. I don't think the computers and printers nowadays have these ports. If the Printer has a network card in it, then you can purchase a router and connect the printer and computers to the router. Configure the router to dish out IP addresses. Install the printer drivers on the computers. You can connect your Cable or DSL modem to the router. If your printer does not have a network card, you can purchase a Centronics Print Server (if the printer has a Centronics Port). If the printer only has a USB port you can purchase a Print Server with USB connection and Network connection. You will still have to have a router. Otherwise go wireless. Okay, that is a whole different ballgame.

Computers that are connected by a LAN can easily be configured to share hardware, including printers. Here are some simple instructions for configuring a printer for use on a LAN

Adding a Printer to a Computer Network

Step

1Open the Control Panel on the computer that is physically connected to the printer. Look for the "Printers and Faxes" icon for Windows XP or the "Printers" icon for Vista. Double-click on this icon and you should see the printer that you want to share listed.

Right-click on your printer and then select the "Sharing" option.

Step

2Find a "Sharing" tab within your printer's Properties. Name your printer for the purpose of sharing. Choose a simple name and click "OK" when finished.

Step

3Add the shared printer on every computer connected to the network that will be using the printer. Open the Control Panel and select either "Printers and Faxes" (XP) or "Printers" (Vista). Select "Add a Printer" and then select "Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer."

Step

4Find your printer on a list of results that Windows returns to you and select it. This should complete the process of adding your printer to your network system. The printer should now appear as a printing option when you select the option to print something.

Do your laptops have wireless capability?

In order to set up print sharing you would have to go into your control panels in windows vista under the start menu, then navigate to the Network and Sharing Center control panel. Once in there, you will see printer sharing... Turn that on. After that, on both laptops you'll need to go into control panels and to the Printers control panel and add a new printer. It will ask if it is local or network. Choose network. It should then find the shared printer for you. However, being as the laptops are running XP you may have to go to the canon website and manualy download and install the XP driver on both laptops for the printer. Hope this helps.

On the PC with the printer attached:

Go to the printer folder, right click the Canon MP510 printer and select "Sharing" That should lead you through a series of instructions on how to share your printer with others in your local network.

Once you've got the printer set up, go to the other computers and "add a printer". There's an option for connecting to a printer located on another computer.

Both your desktop and printer will need to be up and running for the laptops to print.