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bswade
Aug 19, 2009, 05:56 PM
I have a home network set up. My printer is connected by ethernet cable to the router. My desktop and another laptop can share the printer. I was issued a laptop from my employer but cannot print my work from the printer. Someone told me to connect the printer directly to the laptop instead of going through the router. My question is can I do that by disconnecting the ethernet cable at the router and just plugging it into my laptop? If not, what would be the best way to connect the printer by wire to the laptop. Is there a way to connect both ways so that my desktop and other laptop can print while I am working off my work laptop? Thanks

seahwk83
Aug 19, 2009, 06:05 PM
Don't know for sure, is this a wireless router?

If not, can't you purchase another cable and connect to the router to your work PC as a 3rd connection to the router?

Hopefully others can add more info

bswade
Aug 19, 2009, 07:06 PM
Yes, I have a wireless router. My work laptop works off the wireless router. I am just not able to print having the printer hooked into the router. Maybe it's a security issue with my employer. I just didn't know if I could unplug the ethernet cable that currently runs from the printer to the router and plug the ethernet printer cable directly into my laptop. I realize my other computers will not be able to print while I have it this way. Thanks

bswade
Aug 19, 2009, 07:06 PM
Yes, I have a wireless router. My work laptop works off the wireless router. I am just not able to print having the printer hooked into the router. Maybe it's a security issue with my employer. I just didn't know if I could unplug the ethernet cable that currently runs from the printer to the router and plug the ethernet printer cable directly into my laptop. I realize my other computers will not be able to print while I have it this way. Thanks

KISS
Aug 19, 2009, 07:11 PM
Did you/Can you install the drivers for your home printer on your work laptop?

Is the printer installed as a TCP/IP printer or a Windows printer?

bswade
Aug 19, 2009, 07:16 PM
The printer is set up on my laptop and is installed as a TCP/IP. If I go on the internet and go into my personal email account, I can print but when I try to print from my work outlook email it won't print. That's why I think there is a security block from my employer but I'm really stupid about this stuff.

seahwk83
Aug 19, 2009, 07:18 PM
You can try to see if it will work out, if not, you can always connect back to router

What I would try if you do not have this set already is to make sure that the computer that is physically connected to the router has file and print sharing checked (enabled) as well as your work PC

And I take it that you did go to Add Printer Wizard to search for Network Printer?

You may have done all this, just trying to cover things I can think of

seahwk83
Aug 19, 2009, 07:21 PM
See if anything here may help
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/HP052428931033.aspx

bswade
Aug 19, 2009, 07:21 PM
Thanks-I just wanted to make sure I wouldn't damage something connecting that ethernet cable from the printer directly to the laptop.