Q How can I enable printer-sharing on my PC? I am running Win 95b with IE 4.01. I want to enable printer restrictions via passwords. You are meant to go to the network properties and click on "file and print sharing" but this command button is disabled. Do I need to install network software first or is there an easier way?

A Before you can connect to a network and share your printer you will need to install and configure networking software on your computer. In addition to any software that came with your network card, you will need to set up Windows 95 with an appropriate network protocol, network client, and network service for the type of network you are connecting to. All three can be installed from the Network Control Panel (StartûSettingsûControl PanelûNetwork), and as you've discovered, until a client and a service are installed, the File and Print Sharing button in the Network control panel will be disabled.

A protocol is a set of rules that determines how networked computers communicate with each other, and is essential for accessing other devices on your network. The type of protocol you use will be determined by the operating system that manages your network, since all equipment on the network must use the same protocol. Windows 95 includes some of the more popular network protocols such as IPX/SPX, NetBEUI, and TCP/IP.

A network client is responsible for controlling the flow of information between networked computers, and you will need to have a different one installed for each type of network you connect to. Client software for Microsoft and Novell networks comes with Windows 95.

Broadly speaking, a service is software that lets you share and access resources that are available on a network, and Windows 95 has built-in services for file and print sharing.

Configuring devices on a network is not always easy. There are usually a number of variables involved, and settings that will be unique to your particular network. If you are using a corporate network and have a Network Administrator, it would be a good idea to find out from them the various configuration settings you may need. Here are some general steps for sharing a printer that is directly connected to your PC on a Microsoft network.

1. Install a network client. Choose StartûSettingsûControl Panel, double-click the Network icon, and select the Configuration tab. Choose AddûClientûAddûMicrosoftûClient for Microsoft Networks, and click the OK button. On the Configuration tab click OK. Insert any Windows 95 installation disks as required, and when prompted, reboot your computer.

 



 

2. Install the File and Printer Sharing service. Choose StartûSettingsûControl Panel, double-click on the Network icon, and select the Configuration tab. Choose AddûServiceûAddûMicrosoftûFile and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks, and click OK. On the Configuration tab, click OK. Insert any installation disks if necessary, and if Windows prompts you, reboot your computer.

 



 

3. Turn on Sharing. To enable sharing on your PC, choose StartûSettingsûControl PanelûNetwork, and click the File and Print Sharing button. Click in the box next to "I want to be able to allow others to print to my printer(s)." Then click OK and close the Network window. Again, insert any installation disks that Windows 95 asks for and reboot as required.

 

4. Set up your printer for sharing. Choose StartûSettingsûPrinters, and click on the icon of the printer that you want to share. Select FileûSharing to open the printer's property box, and click on the Sharing tab, then select the Shared As option. The printer's name will be displayed in the Share Name box, indicating the name that the printer will have on the network. You can change the name by double-clicking in the box and typing a new name. To assign a password, type it in the Password box, and click OK. When Windows asks you to confirm the password, type it in again. If all is well, your printer should now be available to other computers on the network. If you look at the Printers window (StartûSettingsûPrinters), a small hand will be appear under the icon of your printer to indicate that it is being shared. Only users who know the password you have assigned will be able to send documents to your printer.

The printer drivers for your printer will need to be installed on each computer that will access it. This may occur automatically when a computer connects to the printer for the first time, or you may need to install them manually. To do this, double-click the Add Printer icon in the Printers window to launch the Add New Printer Wizard and follow the steps it suggests.