Unable to Connect Error--CANNOT PRINT!

We have 2 computers, one downstairs and one upstairs. We share a printer on the main comp downstairs. My hubby set up the network connection/printer sharing thingy and all was great! We could send things to print from the upstairs computer to downstairs printer with no problems! No all of a sudden, I am getting error messages and cannot print from this computer upstairs! When I open the print box to print a page, the Status of the printer says: Unable to connect. Other times, I will get an error message saying that the printer spooling service is not working, but I know that it is on both comps because I looked online how to check the service and they looked fine. One time, I also got an RPC server message, or something to that effect. What is the deal? The printer was working fine and then all of a sudden this happened! PLEASE help me get this fixed. I am a newbie as you can see, so please explain the problem in easy terms. Thanks!

 

Out of curiousity what type of network did your husband set up?Wireless or wired?

 

Did this happen after updating to Windows XP SP2?

By default I think the Firewall blocks Printer Sharing....

 

It is a wireless network. We use the Linksys Broadband router. As far as Win ervice Pack 2, I wasn't even aware we had updated to it. When I get the little icon in the toolbar for Windows updates, I usually just click download and let it update itself. So, I checked my Add/Remove Programs, and sure enough it was there. So how do I fix this if it is a firewall thing?

 

OK on my Add/Remove Programs list, it says we have Windows Hotfix SP2, and to see 329115 in the Microsoft Knowledge Base for more info. So now what?

 

Right click on 'My Computer'. When it comes up, look to see what service pack it says you have. It will either say 'Service Pack 1' or 'Service Pack 2'.

If it says 'Service Pack 2', try this:

From the desktop, right click on "My Network Places" and choose properties.

Than right click on "Local Area Connection", OR, in your case where this is a Linksys router, it may be called something else like the name of your network. Or you can just do this to all connections listed but right click and choose properties.

From there choose the "Advanced" tab at the top. Where it says Windows Firewall click the "settings" button, and then choose the "exceptions" tab. Make sure that "File & Printer Sharing" is checked as an exception.

If this doesn't work or apply, let me know.