Vista laptop won't connect to network

F

firedancer

New Member
I have scourged forums (including this one), to figure out why my laptop with Vista can't connect to the printer running from the desktop via the network. Answers given don't work for me. Can anyone help?

Host computer for wireless network is desktop that runs Windows XP.
Client computer is laptop that runs Windows Vista.
Here is what I've done:
---Configured desktop to connect to network
---Connected laptop to network (host computer is seen from my laptop)
---When I "ping" desktop from laptop, it does not communicate. Says "request timed out" for all four attempts.
---On Vista (laptop), from Network and Sharing, I selected Add a Printer/ Local printer / Create a new port. I enter (desktop) \\computer name\printer name. This has worked for many others who have had this problem, but when I entered that info, I get the error: "network path is not found".

I just don't know where to go from here. I'm at my wit's end on this after spending hours trying to figure this out. Any hints??

Thanks so much.
Firedancer
 
Thanks for the replies, guys.

I can connect to the internet just fine. And axgrinder, can you explain why I don't want file sharing checked? I checked Norton's firewall settings. Should "Stealth Blocked Ports" be checked? I actually do not see an option regarding file sharing under the settings in the Norton Protection Center. Is there somewhere else this would be? It also confirmed that I am connected to the network I set up.
 
On xp, to connect to a workgroup you do not want simple file sharing checked in the view section of folder options. After re-reading your post I don't think that's the issue.

Can you explain in more detail how your network is set up? Are you using a router of do you connect to the desktop for the internet connection?

Have you shared the printer on the desk top? Have you tried turning off the firewall on the desktop to see if that changes anything?

The comment you made about your ping attempts tells me that the laptop sees that desktop but is not getting a response. I am still thinking its a fire wall issue on the desk top.
 
axgrinder - I am connected to the internet on my laptop through a router (wireless connection). I have set up the printer on the desktop to be shared. I have not tried turning off the firewall connection on my desktop, however. I guess I'm nervous to do that - I attempted to turn it off and it was like all these warning textboxes popped up: "Are you sure you want to do this? Danger danger! You are exposed!!!" Or... something like that. Will turning this off put me at risk?

cybereclipse - I have not tried printing to that printer from my husband's computer; I guess because he has his own. But that's an interesting point, and I will try it today and see what happens.

Thanks so much for your suggestions - they are greatly appreciated!
 
Try turning off Norton (it notoriously infests every aspect of the computer). I bet you will find it will ping properly and print properly...
 
I wouldn't recommend turning off the firewall and leaving it off, but you could turn it off for a little while just for testing purposes.
 
Trizoy and axgrinder,

Thank you for your suggestions. I'm having problems with my desktop monitor (as in, it won't come on right now), but when I get that fixed I'll give that test a try.
 
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