Unable to connect ot shared printer
Unable to connect ot shared printer
(OP)
Hi,
Equipment: Brother wireless printer
Wireless mdeom/router
Vista laptop
XP desktop
I have a shared printer over a wireless network. However, when I try to access it, it is not listed under the PC in network connections. I get an error to say the computer name is mispelt or something.
I managed to ping the ip of the wireless printer from the XP box and it connects fine. The vista laptop printed a test sheet ok. Both PCs have the same network name and can connect to the internet.
Any ideas would be most appreciated.
Regards
Equipment: Brother wireless printer
Wireless mdeom/router
Vista laptop
XP desktop
I have a shared printer over a wireless network. However, when I try to access it, it is not listed under the PC in network connections. I get an error to say the computer name is mispelt or something.
I managed to ping the ip of the wireless printer from the XP box and it connects fine. The vista laptop printed a test sheet ok. Both PCs have the same network name and can connect to the internet.
Any ideas would be most appreciated.
Regards
RE: Unable to connect ot shared printer
RE: Unable to connect ot shared printer
Thanks for the response.
What setup do I need to do on the XP machine?
The printer was connected via USB to the Vista laptop and it downloaded some drivers updates for it. Got the ready to use status and could see the printer in the list of printers. The printer was then disconnected and the printer put into wireless mode. The modem/router assigned an ip address and, again, could see it in the list of printers on the Vista laptop. However, on the XP machine the printer was not visible when I did the Add printer - wireless or by URL.
Thanks in advance.
Regards
RE: Unable to connect ot shared printer
In order to connect to a network printer in Windows XP, go to your Printers section, Add a printer, choose network location, search... browse... and see if you can see it there. If it's on the Vista machine, it'll be basically the same thing, but you may have 1 less step.
Also, are you SURE that both machines are set up for sharing of files and printers? XP and Vista differ in how they have to be set up.
Just to be certain, where exactly is the printer? Is it connected direct to the wireless router, via a USB Printer Server port, or is it attached to the USB port of one of the computers?
RE: Unable to connect ot shared printer
1. Are you using a 3rd party software firewall on either machine? If so, you'll have to set up a trusted network IP range or home network sharing setup - differs between firewalls in terminology.
2. Well, now I've forgotten the next thing I was going to ask/suggest.
RE: Unable to connect ot shared printer
This should open a Additional port info window. under standard, drop down, look for your device, if it is not listed choose generic network card. click finish, it should than ask about loading drivers from the wizard and be a typical printer setup. Print a test page, and don't share the printer.
RE: Unable to connect ot shared printer
Thanks for response.
The printer is connected wirelessly to the network via the wireless modem/router. I tried connecting to the network printer in XP via the Add printer wizard/choose location/search/ blah blah but it did not show up :(
Have right-clicked on wireless printer via Vista laptop, connected wirelessly, and enabled sharing on it. Does file & printer sharing need to be enabled on the XP machine? Is it on by default?
There is no 3rd party software firewall installed on either machine.
Just to clarify, sorry, I have a xp desktop hardwired into a wireless modem/router and then two wireless bits of kit; a vista laptop & the printer. The laptop can see the printer and works ok. The desktop, however, cannot.
Thanks and regards
RE: Unable to connect ot shared printer
RE: Unable to connect ot shared printer
Yes. I connected the printer to the laptop via USB cable and let vista install the driver software and updates. Printer was then visible and works ok. Unplugged usb cable and set printer in wireless mode and the router assigned it an ip address. Vista found the wireless printer so I set it to allow it to be shared. I thought as the laptop and the desktop were on the same network that the desktop could print via the laptop wireless connection to the printer.
Thanks and Regards
RE: Unable to connect ot shared printer
RE: Unable to connect ot shared printer
Do you mean have the printer hardwired into PC? If not, can you tell me exactly what I need to do.
Regards
RE: Unable to connect ot shared printer
With the newer wireless printers, you often don't even need to install while connected via USB at all.
Here's what I suggest:
1a. Make sure you've got the latest install software for your printer - check on the manufacturer's website to see if they have one there that may be more up to date than your install disk (very likely). If there is one, download it and use it instead of the CD.
1b. Make sure any print jobs to the printer have been canclled on the problematic computer. Do this by double-clicking on the printer's icon if there is one under Printers. If anything there, make sure it's deleted.
2. Totall uninstall/remove the printer from your system where you're having issues.
3. Reboot that computer
4. After rebooting, go into Printers and Faxes, and select the File menu, then Server Properties. Be sure to delete any drivers remaining listed under the driver tab, IF they are related to this printer.
5. Reboot again.
6. Load your setup/installation CD or downloaded setup/install file on the problematic computer (DO NOT HAVE THE PRINTER CONNECTED VIA USB - JUST MAKE SURE THAT PRINTER IS SETUP TO WORK ON YOUR WIRELESS NETWORK).
7. During the install, the software will either auto-detect where the printer is, or it will ask you if it's over the network or via usb - specify network, then wireless if asked again.
8. After install is completed, print a test page to be sure you got it right.
If that all goes through, you should be fine. I've not personally messed with the wireless networking on any printers other than the HP models, so there may be some variance, as there is even some variance between HP models alone.
RE: Unable to connect ot shared printer
Fred Wagner
RE: Unable to connect ot shared printer
This is not the way Windows' Add Printer wizards work, but the way Wireless printers get connected.
Fred Wagner
RE: Unable to connect ot shared printer
Regards