Using a shared network printer [From Windows XP]:

This guide shows how to enable a network printer from a Windows XP PC.

Note: This guide assumes you already have a printer available to at least one computer on the network

Step 1 - Adding the printer

A printer has to be added to Window's list of known available printers before the printer can be used.

Instructions:

Click on the Windows "Start" button, then choose "Settings" and click on "Printers and Faxes".

In the "Printers and Faxes" window, double click "Add Printer".

 

The "Add Printer Wizard" window will appear. Click the "Next" button in the bottom right corner of the window.

 

Step 2 - Printer type (local/network)

To find a printer, Windows must be told if the printer is a local printer (e.g. attached to this computer) or a network printer.

Instructions:

In the "Add Printer Wizard" "Local or Network Printer" window, select "A network printer, or a printer attached to another computer".
Click the "Next" button in the bottom right corner of the window.

 

Step 3 - locating the printer

Windows now needs to find the exact printer we are after. This can be done in 3 different ways but the easiest for us is simply using the "Browse for a Printer" option.

Instructions:

In the "Add Printer Wizard" "Specify a Printer" window select "Browse for a printer".
Click the "Next" button in the bottom right corner of the window.

 

In the "Add Printer Wizard" "Browse for Printer" window, select the printer you wish to use.
Click "Next" in the bottom right hand corner of the window.

 

Windows will now automatically retrieve the required printer drivers from the computer which is currently sharing the printer. You will be warned about printer drivers possibly containing viruses. To be safe you can run anti-virus software on the computer sharing the printer. Once you have accepted this fact you can click "yes" to proceed to the next step of the "Add Printer Wizard".

Step 4 - default printers

If Windows knows of more than one printer available to your computer it needs to know which printer to use as the default. When adding a printer where a printer already exists, Windows will ask you whether you would like to set the printer you are adding as the default printer to use.

Instructions:

If there is an existing printer available to your computer, select "yes" here unless you have been specifically told not to.

 

Step 5 - conclusion

You should now see the printer in the "Printers and Faxes" window.

 

Using this printer should now just be a matter of selecting it in any application's "print" options.