the print manager group
on sertain computers you can stop other computers on the network from viewing there shared files and folders but it is called "sharing and printer sharing" if you using xp then you can enable it.
Ethernet
All which has copitable hardware
Browse for a printer on a network Install a printer that supports Plug and Play Search for a printer in Active Directory
Standard TCP/IP Port
I am sharing a Dell Photo AIO Printer 926 running on an XP computer with a computer on the network running Windows 7. When I started, the printer was already installed and working on the XP computer and set up to be shared on the network. Then I ran the 926 printer installation disk (the disk that came with the printer) on the Windows 7 computer. At some point it asked me if the printer was connected to another computer on the network. When I answered "yes" it asked for the name of the other computer on the network and the shared name of the printer. After I answered those questions it proceeded to "install" the printer as if it was connected to the Windows 7 machine and it works perfectly. I was surprised that worked, after having tried many times (unsuccessfully) to connect to it by installing new drivers on the Windows 7 computer. So I would suggest using the printer installation disk on the Windows 7 computer. If you do not have the disk I would suggest trying to get one from the printer manufacturer.
Install the appropriate drivers for your printer on the machine it will be connected to, connect and reboot as necessary. Then go to My Computer>Control Panel>Printers and Faxes. Find your printer you just installed, right click on it and select Sharing. Set a printer name of your choice and then click OK. On the other machines go back to Printers and Faxes then select the Add a New Printer... icon. On the following dialog choose to install a Network printer and then browse for your printer's name. Please note, all machines must be in the same Windows Workgroup, set by either running one of the Network wizards in My Network Places, or right clicking on My Computer, selecting Properties then going to the Computer Name tab.
Connecting a network is a straight forward easy process if you follow some simple rules. 1) use an address that will not conflict with internet address (IE 192.168.*.*) 2) make sure you SHARE the recources you are wanting to access 3) map the recources to the other machines in the network. ok so I have a home network with a xp box on a wireless connected to a printer the printer will take the address of the xp box. lets say your router has an address of 192.168.2.1, your xp box is 192.168.2.2 and your windows 7 box is 192.168.2.3 to use the xp box's printer I would simply make sure I have file and print sharing turned on the xp box and then open the printer interface and click on the printer you want to share,, then click SHARE,,, now in the win7 box open up network neighborhood and click on the xp box printer and install it, done it will now function as a printer for the win7 box. this is assuming your router and your boxes are setup for DHCP,,, if not,, well call a computer store and ask a tech, they should not charge much to help you setup ,, good luck
#Use a separate print server. #Connect to a networked computer and share the printer
Use a sperte print server Connect to a networked computer and share the printer
Map a network drive to the Windows XP share.