Connect all pc's to a wired printer wirelessly

Ok so I have a computer in my home office that runs Windows XP and the printer is connected directly to it. I have 4 other computers that I would like to share this printer with. All 5 computers are wireless the other 4 are running some version of Windows 7, not all the same, but close. So can someone tell me the easiest way to share the printer through my XP machine with the other 4??

All Help is greatly appreciated. :confused

 

Have you set up a network where all computers see each other?
I'm assuming you do not have a domain set up so all the comps would have to be in the same "workgroup" setting.
Once all the comps can see each other in your private network, you can go to the printer properties and select the sharing and security tab and "share" the printer. The drawback to this method is the XP computer would have to be up and running before any other comp can use the printer.
If the printer is "network ready", you could hook it directly to the router by ethernet cable to solve the problem of having the XP comp running. This may be problematic if your printer is an older model due to Win 7 driver issues not being available.
You could also purchase a "print server" and tie the printer to the router using this and not have the XP comp running. Here again you may run into a driver issue.
That's all I can think of not knowing any details of your network and printer.
HTH

 

Hi,

My shared printer is on an XP Home comp. The other one is 98. All is well as long as I have loaded the 98 driver on the 98 comp.

Jim