How can i make a network and share printers with the network?

I have a PC running XP, HP printer, wireless router , and a laptop that also runs XP. I want to print things off my laptop without having to email myself my documents and printing it on the PC i tried making a network but i really don't know how, i made a wireless network but i don't know where i am able to see it and check my printer status and if its sharing it. Am i going to have to buy a printer server?How can i make a network and share printers with the network?
First, you need the desktop PC that the printer is connected to powered on.





You have to turn on file and print sharing on both the pc and laptop. To do this in XP go to My Network Places (it should be an icon the desktop, or if it's not there click start and you should see it there, if it's in neither of those places just go to start - settings - control panel and there's an option in there that says Network Setup Wizard, run the wizard, when you get to the part that asks for the workgroup name it should default to MSHOME, just make sure the workgroup name is the same for both systems.





You will need to restart the computer after you run the wizard, when both systems reboot you should be able to print to the printer from the laptop.





Oh, and if you have the Network Places icon on the desktop or start bar open it up and if you see nothing in there (no shared items like folders or printers) click the link on the left that says ';Set up a home or small office network'; and it will bring up the same network setup wizard above.





Let me know if you have any other questions.