I use a Compaq Laptop at work w windows 2K. My home computers both run Win XP - Home. When I bring the work laptop home and connect it to the network router, I can surf on the Laptop but I can't print or share files on any of my Home Network devices. I have verified that printer and file sharing is enabled on all pc's. I have changed the workgroup name on my home PC's to match the domain name on my work PC's. I have disabled my firewall. Home network uses DHCP, work Network uses DHCP. I have admin rights on the Laptop. Still can't get it to see the home network or PC's. I can ping each PC on the network. Stumped

i don't know if i'd understood you right, but i think you need to install the printers in your laptop before you can select them as printer. -FIRST CONNECT IN LAN WITH YOUR HOME PCs- To install a shared printer, just go to control panel and select the "printer and fax" icon, there you must select the option "add a printer" and then you must select printer options, for example if the printer is in the LAN (exactly your case) you need to check the following options. 1. on the first page of the "add printer wizard" click NEXT. 2. Select the option "a network printer, or a printer attached to another computer" 3. On this page, you can select the option "browse for a printer" or if you know the exact path where the printer is installed select 2nd or 3rd option (check which of them applies to you. (you better check "browse for a printer") 4. If you selected the "browse for a printer" option, then you might see it on this page, if you do, select it and click next and follow the rest of the steps in the wizard. Remember to share printers on your others pc for this steps to work, otherwise you won't see any printer in the 4 step mentioned above. Now you should be able to print normally. I hope this information has helped you, and sorry for my bad english im venezuelan ^^

mikesoft - Thanks for taking the time to write a response. I have tried your suggestion before but with no success. The w2K laptop never sees the home network printers. I can take the printer cable off and hook it up directly to the laptop and it works, but I would rather utilize the network. Something is preventing me from seeing the other devices that are already on my home network. I can ping them but I can't see them or connect to them. If I try to browse for it, it doesn't find it. If I try using the IP address, I get an erro message. If I try to search for it, I find the computer it's on, but that's as far as I get. I have priner and file sharing enabled on all of the PC's but I cannot print from the W2K laptop.

If the laptop is a member of a Domain then it needs to be changed to be a of a Workgroup. Then the WinXP home machine can communicate with the laptop. WinXP Home version can not join a Domain. Maybe someone else can add to this, Bryan

Yes, win XP home edition can't join a domain. Mark, are you sure that the windows firewall is off? maybe that's the reason you can ping IPs but not open their shared resources (or just see them on my network places) Check that in your XP machines, start > all programs > accesories > communications > Network Connections. Check there if the LAN connection have the win firewall enabled. If is, just disable it by doing right click, properties, advanced and look for "settings" button, and there turn OFF the windows firewall. Also check is there are another firewall program running on any pc and turn it off, and if you still can't resolve your problem you should try the "Set up a home or small office network" at the network connections window and follow the steps there. Remember to write the exact workgroup as your others pc have. Also there remember to check the option "share printers and files" Following this steps carefully will surely resolve your problem, anyway if i find another possible way, i will be replying you. Good luck.

Per Bryan (Bryco), all 3 computers must have the same WORKGROUP name. Firewalls could present a problem, and sharing may not be set up correctly, but from your post it sounds like you have not set all 3 to the same workgroup. Terry