network printing

[Lenster]

Not really a problem here, but I have my printer hooked up to my desktop locally and my laptop also uses the printer. Now, is there any way I can print while using my laptop "without" my desktop computer being turned on?
When my desktop is turned off, it says on my laptop in the printers section that it is unable to connect, but when desktop it turned on, its ready to go.
Is there any way around this, or do I have to keep the desktop on if I want to print from my laptop?

Thanks folks

if the printer is connected to the computer you will need to have the computer on as the computer gives the printer an ip address sort of

some printers comes with built on network cards or you can buy devices to make them work by just plugging them into the network

[krohnjw]

You router however will need to support printing if you do plug it directly into a home router.

[John Prophet]

I think it will need to stay on, lol...or else you need to get a "print server" which is basically a device to give your printer its own IP address on the network.

print servers

[bailey]

you could just pick up a cheap print server with one port for that one printer and cat-5 it to the network.
I just set up a hp laser jet that way and works just great