Networked computers -- sharing a printer between them -- HELP!

11 April 2005

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Please help. Have a machine with Windows XP Professional and one with Windows 2000. Sharing a printer (HP Laserjet 4L). Can't get the Windows 2000 machine (secondary) to print on the printer connected to the main machine (Windows XP) and both are networked and do share other files including internet. Have clicked boxes allowing for "sharing" and need help determining WHY machine 2 won't print on printer on machine 1 (which has printer connected.

If you can help...thanks in advance.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Please give me a hand on this one...somebody...

[Brian328i]

I assume when you state you've checked the sharing box you mean that you have selected the one in the printer properties on WinXP. Have you tried to delete the printer on the Win2k box and then readd the network printer? Also, do you have a firewall installed on the WinXP computer? It might be that you need to grant the Win2k IP more privledges.

[DJ MacWoW]

Dang. My Hubby would probably know but he's not home yet. I'll keep checking to see if anyone helped and if not, I'll get Hubby on.

Are you using Wingate networking?

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Yes, firewall installed on XP computer (main). How do I reset it to allow the printer to work? Thanks.

[Brian328i]

Try to disable the firewall first to see if that helps, if it does allow you to print with the firewall disabled you know it just needs the permissions. Depending on the firewall maker, I believe when I had to set on my parent's computer that runs norton to allow the IP's I wanted to print from full access to the machine. I don't remeber off the top of my head where you go so I can't exactly say that. Sorry, maybe someone who uses the same firewall can help you.

[FReepaholic]

...Can't get the Windows 2000 machine (secondary) to print on the printer connected to the main...

Have you installed the printer on the W2K machine? (you know, double clicked the "Add Printer" icon, etc.)

[RogerRabbit]

It's been my experience that on win2000 , ME, and 98 that you have to load the printer drivers on the client machine also even tho you have the drivers on the host machine which I assume is the one with the printer attached

[engrpat]

When I set up my home network sharing one printer I used the sharing function of the router instead of XP. Suggest you go to the web site of your router manufacture and you will find there the easy instructions. I used a SMC router and it was a 4 step process.
Good luck.

[Jalapeno]

I suspect you have not set up the printer on the Win2K box as the default printer. Just turning on sharing is not enough.

I think you need to locate the icon for the printer hooked up to the XP box via windows explorer, then set it as the "default".

Maybe go throught the control panel-printers option to do it.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

You'd get more help if you were a bit more specific about just what's happening and what's not. Saying that it won't print is about as useful as saying "my computer's broke"--it's just a bit vague, given all that can go wrong with a PC. Not trying to be overly critical here, just stating a fact based on my experience working in the field.

[Paladin2]

HP has a ~"setup network printer utility" you can download. Seems to work fine to find all sorts of printers attached to various computers and to a e'net printer server here at home.

[George from New England]

win2000 and win98 yes.

WinXP is a step backwards.

the so called "security" is a pain in the a$$.

you cannot share the drivers from the XP to other machines on your network. you need the cd-rom to install the drivers on the machine you want to print from.

pain. THANK YOU BILL GATES. This isn't progress!

[KoRn]

Make sure both of your computers are in the same Workgroup. This is done by right clicking on "My Computer" and clicking the Computer Name Tab. If you see that they have something different in the Workgroup Name field, make them apart of the same workgroup by clicking the Change button and entering in the same information in "Workgroup" as the other computer. You will be asked to restart, and when you come back up you should be on the same workgroup.(after it comes back up let it sit there for 5min or so).

Now that they are on the same workgroup go to the PC that has the connected printer you want to share. Go to Start Menu, Settings(in 2k) and Printers. Then a Window will open that will display the printer. Right click on the printer and click Properties. In properties, click the Sharing Tab, and select the button that says "Share this printer", the name will be filled in by default.

Now, go to the computer you want to connect via the network. Go to Start, Printers and Faxes(xp) when the WIndow opens click the Ad Printer icon. You will be then asked a series of questions: Choose Network Printer, then browse for printer. Next you will choose the option to look in your workgroup. You should then see the name of the computer that has the connected printer, double click on the icon and it should expand to reveal the connected printer. Select the printer and hit next, make it default(if you wish) and you are done, of yeah print a test page. Also, remember that the computer that has the printer connected will always have to be on when you want to print from the other PC.

Hope this helps, if I got a couple of steps mixed up I was doing this from memory. Also, disable any firewalls as they may block the protocols that are needed for Windows networking stuff(mine does).

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

I suspect you have not set up the printer on the Win2K box as the default printer. Just turning on sharing is not enough.

Already did that. The printer will not print the document on Word. Comes up with error and deletes job.

[cousin01]

This worked for me. Create a batch file. (Use note pad, type in this stuff then save as a file called something like printer.bat) Save it on your desktop and then double click on it. Here is the command: net use lpt1: \\XXX\YYY <> rem: run this batch file, then use add - printer wizard and browse for the printer on computer number 2

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Also, disable any firewalls as they may block the protocols that are needed for Windows networking stuff(mine does).

Please...how to disable "firewall". Both computers are in the same workgroup already.

[cousin01]

sorry - reply was truncated.

substitue the NAME of computer 1 for XXX and the NAME of the printer for YYY.

Ignore that <> in the previous reply.

[sirjohn]

Did you install the printer software (from CD) on both machines?

[jrawk]

Do yourself a big favor and instead of sharing the printer, go get one of these, add your printer to the network by following the included directions, then add the printer to each computer:

http://www.newegg.com/app/searchProductResult.asp?Submit=Go&Range=1&DEPA=0&bop=and&description=print+server&InnerCata=387

I have the hawking print server myself, best $50 I ever spent. If you don't have a network setup, get the linksys print server that has a built in 4 port hub and set one up already!

Sharing a printer without a print server over a mixed Windows OS Version is very painful. However once you have a print server you have much more freedom, like not having to have both computers turned on the print, like being able to locate your printer wherever your heart, and network cable desires.

I would not go wireless on a printer. File sizes and wireless speeds make this a pain.

my 2 cents

-- lates
-- jrawk

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Now, see, this is why Commander Adama didn't want networked computers aboard his ship.