[SOLVED] How to Set Up a HGome Network Between Linux and Windows

[nbob]

Hello. I'm running a dual boot with Windows XP and Ubuntu (linux mint)

I would like to try to set up a simple home network between this machine and another one which runs exclusively WindowsXP. More specifically, I would like to allow the other computer to have access to the HP Laserjet which is connected directly to this dual-boot machine.

I understand I need to use Samba and Cups. I also have to create a new samba.conf file. (I went to the link How to Set Up a Home Network Between Linux & Windows | eHow.com).

The variables I need to determine for the samba.conf file are:
workgroup -- I believe this has to be the same on both machines. Problem is, I can't verify what it is on this dual-boot machine when running in linux-mode. I believe I specified this when I installed linuxmint. So my question is, how do I determine my workgroup in Ubuntu (linuxmint)
netbios name -- i found a command to run to show me this and it spit out "nick-desktop" -- does this seem correct?
printer name -- is it ok for me to make one up or do I use the printer name I got form the printer configuration screen in linuxmint?

When I was done creating samba.conf, I ran testparm to make sure there were no errors. Here's what it came back with: (apparently some of the parameters were either unknown or "deprecated"
.................................................. ....................
testparm /etc/samba/smb.conf
Load smb config files from /etc/samba/smb.conf
Unknown parameter encountered: "hosts equiv"
Ignoring unknown parameter "hosts equiv"
Processing section "[printers]"
WARNING: The "printer admin" option is deprecated
Processing section "[DEFAULT PRINTER]"
WARNING: The "printer admin" option is deprecated
Processing section "[PUBLIC]"
Processing section "[home_directories]"
Loaded services file OK.
WARNING: You have some share names that are longer than 12 characters.
These may not be accessible to some older clients.
(Eg. Windows9x, WindowsMe, and smbclient prior to Samba 3.0.)
Server role: ROLE_STANDALONE
.................................................. ..........................


The next step she said was to add additional users to the Samba server.
The command is:
useradd -c "New User" -m -g users -p Passwd1 newuser
So I added two users here, first choosing newuser="pat" and then newuser="nick" and with a password for each for "Passwd1". For "New User" I just typed in our full names.

Then I had to let Samba know about the user so I typed in the terminal
"sudo smbpasswd -a newuser" with "newuser"="pat" and then "newuser"="nick".

The final hoop I needed to jump through was to map the windows network drives so I moved over to that machine and clicked on "Start", right-clicked on "My Computer" and selected "Map Network Drive" . I then chose drive letter "Z". But I also need to provide a path in the form of "\\netbios name\user". So I tried "\\nick-desktop\nick". I selected "finish" and got an error saying it couldn't find the path on the network. I also tried "\\PAT\pat" but again it didn't work.

So thats it. There are a lot of variables and if I messed up on any one of them I'm out of business. Thanks for the help. I'm a newbie.

take care.

[coopstah13]

try this Linux Mint Forums • View topic - Printer sharing with Windows

[nbob]

Hi and thanks for the help. I tried using the URL that was suggested and my Windows computer couldn't find the printer. I think I do have DHCP so I tried 192.168.10.3 (eth0 from ifconfig) and 174.125.235.19 (google'ing for myIPaddress) but neither one worked. I suppose it's possible that I'm not entering the right name for my printer, but I tried everything I could think of and nothing worked.

One thing I think I should mention -- I already have Microsoft home networking set up for the Windows machine and my dual-boot machine-->(windows mode only).

Thanks again for the help.
Take care.

[nbob]

Thanks for the help, Coopstah.

I followed the instructions and, after realizing that I had to disable my UFW, the printer was recognized. Halleluia!!

I then added some firewall rules for that port so I could access the printer without totally disabling my firewall.

take care.