these are the steps as listed on ehow Share Your Printer in Windows Step1 Install the printer. Set up the printer as normal on a machine that is already connected to the wireless network. Connect all necessary cables and install all necessary drivers. Step2 Open the printers and faxes folder. Click "Start," then "Control Panel," then "Printers and Other Hardware" and then "Printers and Faxes." Step3 Share your printer. Find the icon for the printer you just installed. Click the icon once and then select SHARE THIS PRINTER in the tasks pane on the left. Now, right click the icon, select properties and go to the SHARING tab. Click "Share Name," and then click "Okay." Step4 Connect to the printer. On the other computers within the network, open the control panel and click "Printers and Other Hardware." Select "Add a Printer." Step5 Select "Printer Connection." When prompted, select this option instead of the local printer. Find and select the printer you just installed and select it. Step6 Print as normal. Next time you print a page, send it to your networked printer. (you may need to reboot both computers after setup) This is also a good tutorial Beginners Guides: Printer Sharing on a Home Network you should also check to see if you have all the computers set up with the same workgroup name. "Workgroup name: This is the name of your network if you like. By default Windows XP will call your workgroup MSHOME, but you can change this as long as all the PCs on your network have the same workgroup name. (To see the computers in your network, click My Computer and choose Network Places from the bar on the left side. From there click View Workgroup Computers.)" (Control Panel > Performance & Maintenance > See basic information about your computer. From there click on Computer Name. Your workgroup is displayed.)

jemdandy, I think you have some misconceptions. One wirelessly connected device produces no burden on a router, there's no need to switch off a radio if the device is connected and functioning as is. At times I can have 12 or more devices wirelessly connected to my network and you wouldn't know the difference. One consideration is that many wifi transceivers (routers) have a practical limitation in the mid-teens of MB throughput (like maybe 14-16 megs) and so those dozen devices can't all be streaming video before there's a slowdown or confusion. Nor would most people's Internet connections provide enough bandwidth to do that anyway. But at lower levels of sustained rates or bursts, like internet surfing, emailing, or streaming audio, there's no issue for any user, each would think they are the only one active on the network. Keep in mind that "wifi" is nothing more than the wireless signal connection to a network, it isn't something separate. A wirelessly connected printer is the same as one connected by wire, it can be set up to be visible to all network connected devices, no matter how they are connected.

pk, yes, frustrated is an understatement. Don't like spending so much time on such things that are probably easy. Did a lot of research with no resolve. Printer is hooked up to a desktop; DT hooked up to router. I don't "think" the printer is connected directly to router. Not sure what ethernet is. Laptop works wirelessly to the printer. Laptop is 8 mos old. Was working perfectly fine with printer until this new router was installed the other day. I have not tried plugging the printer directly to laptop. I'll try that in the morning. Brain is fried right now so I'll continue on this quest in the morning since I need the printer for work. Thanks for the help. Wonder if uninstalling the computer software from laptop, then reinstalling it again, will work.

Not sure about the Lexmark, but the wireless HP's have a Network Setup Wizard that is accessed from the front of the printer that works similarly to Windows. You set up an Ad Hoc (without router) network and seek the available networks...it finds the nearest, you select your network (his laptop) and finish. Much easier than it sounds. There should be step by step instructions with screenshots on the CD or in the paper manual. Pam