dell latitude not networking

Hi guys, I am new here and need some help with my printer problem. We moved recently and now I cannot print from my Dell Latitude to my HPpcs 2410 photosmart all in one. The printer is supposed to be on our wireless network. My husband's computer that is supposed to be bossing up the network is printing to the HP all in one, but I don't know how to be sure that it is not just printing through the direct (wired) connection. I did not have any trouble sending pages to the printer before we moved. How can I tell if my laptop is even connected to the network? Then, how can I get the laptop to talk to the printer? Eileen Musser

Enabling printer sharing

1. Open the Properties dialog box for your network connection in Control Panel.

In Windows 98 and Windows Me, choose Start –> Settings –> Control Panel and then double-click the Network icon. (Alternatively, right-click Network Neighborhood and choose Properties.)

In Windows 2000, choose Start –> Settings –> Network and Dialup Connections. Then right-click the Local Area Connection icon and choose Properties.

In Windows XP, choose Start –> Control Panel and click Network and Internet Connections. Click Network Connections, right-click the Local Area Connection icon, and choose Properties.

The Local Area Connection Properties dialog box opens.

2. Enable file and printer sharing.

In Windows 98 and Windows Me, click the File and Print Sharing button and click the I Want to Be Able to Allow Others to Print to My Printer(s) check box to put a check mark in the check box. Then click OK twice. You must restart the computer to put the new settings into effect.

In Windows 2000 and Windows XP, click the File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks check box to put a check mark in the check box. Then click OK. You do not have to restart the computer.

Sharing a printer

1. Open the Printers folder.

An icon for the printer you installed on this computer is in the folder window.

2. Right-click the icon for the printer you want to share and choose Sharing from the shortcut menu that appears.

The printer's Properties dialog box opens and the Sharing tab appears in the foreground.

3. Select the option to share the printer.

The wording of this option differs, depending on the version of Windows.

4. Type a name for the printer in the Share Name text box.

You can accept the name that Windows automatically enters, which is usually a shortened form of the printer model name. Or, you can use a name of your own choice.

5. In Windows 98 and Windows Me, optionally type a description in the Comment text box.

6. In Windows 98 and Windows Me, optionally enter a password for the printer.

If you choose to require a password, users who don't have the password won't be able to use the printer. Use the Security tab of the printer's Properties dialog box to set permissions, but usually the default permissions are fine - everyone can use the printer and manage their print jobs.

7. Click OK.

You are returned to the Printers folder, and your printer icon has a hand under it, indicating that this printer is a shared resource. This computer is now a print server.

Is the printer connected directly to your husbands computer?

My husband's computer that is supposed to be bossing up the network is printing to the HP all in one, but I don't know how to be sure that it is not just printing through the direct (wired) connection.

Whichever PC the printer is directly connected-to, that PC will print directly to the printer and not use "the network" to print.

How can I tell if my laptop is even connected to the network?

Quickest way is if you can access the internet, then you should be able to do the same things you did at your previous home.

Then, how can I get the laptop to talk to the printer?

If you click Start—-Control Panel—–double-click Printers and Faxes. (if you do not see that, then click the "use classic icons" link.

is the HP all-in-one listed there ? It should have a T-bar under it. That represents that it is a "network" resource. Click "view" at the top, choose -Tiles- if it is not already. Does it say "ready", is the whole printer "greyd-out" ? Is the number above ready a Zero, or a different number ?

Tallon41