Q: I have a laptop running on xp and a desktop on vista, both are connected through the internet via a wireless router but i don't know how to connect them both to set up a network thing for my printer. If my router doesn't have security, can anyone just connect to that network and print or view files on the existing network?
A: you need to join both the desktop and the laptop to the same workgroup (you can make a name up) - right click my computer - properties - computer name - change - then enter the workgroup name -- this must be done on both computers next share the printer on the desktop - right click the printer - sharing - share this printer and give it a name next on the laptop double click network neighbourhood - entire network - microsoft windows network - click on your workgroup - select the Desktop computer - double click the printer -- this will install the printer on your laptop now print to that printer edit : forgot metion that both computers need to be switched on for this to work edit: suppose in theory they could access the files or print , but they could do that now anyway - every pc has a default workgroup - suggest you get some security on your router