[Sussex] Samba Problems (yet again).

[Paul Tansom]

** John D. <john at johnsemail.eclipse.co.uk> [2005-12-20 15:08]:
> Can anyone point me in the right direction.
> 
> I'm (once again) trying to set up samba, so that I can print from Clares 
> laptop to the printer connected to the main desktop (now using Mandriva 
> 2006).
> 
> As far as I can tell, I've set it all up correctly i.e. the same 
> workgroups, shares etc etc.
> 
> On the desktop, theres two icons that give me the option to check 
> (network browsing and devices). Both have options to check smb:// but 
> which ever one I try, I'm just getting an error that tells me it can't 
> find any workgroup on the locan network - I really don't understand why.
<snip samba stuff> 
> Of course, there could be something in that lot that I've messed up 
> with, but for the life of me I don't know what! It does seem that I can 
> connect to the laptop if I browse to smb://IP ADDRESS of Clares laptop, 
> but I can't see why I keep getting the error about workgroups
** end quote [John D.]

OK, assumptions first:

1. Your using CUPS on the Linux box
2. You are running Windows 2000 or XP on the client (*)

Suggestion:

Ignore Samba and go straight to CUPS using IPP.

I tend to find that where printing is concerned I get better performance
and connection reliability from the more modern Windows OSs if I use IPP
instead of SMB to connect.

Working from my virtual XP installation in my brain (where windows and
dialogue boxes often don't quite look the same as real Windows!) since
I've killed my XP workstation for now. If you install a local printer
and choose the 'internet printer' option, then use the address:

http://serverip-or-name:631/printers/printername

you should be able to connect and print quite easily. If not check the
restrictions in the cupsd.conf file for an Apache style <Location />
section and ensure you have an Allow From line for your local subnet (or
relevant part thereof).

(*) you can probably do it with an appropriate utility under 98, etc.,
but I've never looked to be honest!

-- 
Paul Tansom | Aptanet Ltd. | http://www.aptanet.com