Unable to connect ot shared printer

[x90syl]

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

 

[rclarke250]

Well normally you won't see it in the network area, you should see it in printers, if it is setup right on each machine.

 

[x90syl]

Hi rclarke250,

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

 

[kjv1611]

How are you trying to connect?

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?

 

[kjv1611]

Other thoughts (assuming you have it attached to one of the computers directly):

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.

 

[rclarke250]

You will need to setup the port on the XP machine, add printer,choose next,choose local printer (I know it says network printer there) uncheck the auto detect box,choose next. click the create a port,from the drop down, select standard tcp/ip,click next, a new windows will open "Add standard TCP/IP printer port wizard" in the printer name or ip address type in the ip address given to the printer and click next.

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.

 

[x90syl]

Hi kjv1611,

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

 

[kjv1611]

Okay, so your printer is a wireless printer connected via the router. You'll need to connect a different way. I know from experience that the easiest way with a wireless HP printer is to install the HP software on each machine, and have it look for and find the wireless printer for you. Is that what you did on the Vista machine?

 

[x90syl]

Hi kjv1611,

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

 

[rclarke250]

Why would you use it as a shared resource on the network? That would mean whenever you wanted to print the other machine would have to be turned on. Just set up the port in the xp machine, and add the print driver like I asked you to do, and you should be able to print by itself to the printer.

 

[x90syl]

Hi rclarke250,

Do you mean have the printer hardwired into PC? If not, can you tell me exactly what I need to do.

Regards

 

[kjv1611]

x90syl,

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.

 

[FredWagner]

I just set up an Lexmark S605 wireless all-in-one this weekend, and even though I installed it from a LAN-connected Win2K laptop, the printer connections are through the wireless router and the Win2K laptop can print to it. I did run into an issue - first install was with the CD that came with the unit - install ran fine, but when I gave it OK to update firmware, it said it would take a few minutes, and after 3 hours, the icon was still spinning. Talked to Lexmark support (800 number, chat operators were busy), and they had me uninstall the software for the printer, and re-install from their website. that ran OK. then I tried to update firmware from their website, and got messages that the firmware download was not compatible with the firmware on the printer. Probably had those message, but concealed, on the first attempt that just hung. it's running fine with the original firmware. Tonight I connect it to a Vista-64 on the LAN and Win7 wireless laptop.

Fred Wagner

 

[FredWagner]

Just installed my wireless Lexmark to a second machine (vista-64) last night. Both the Vista box and the Thinkpad are wired to the router. The printer, and a Win7 laptop, are on the wireless link. If you have the Brother install disk, use that, otherwise download version of the install software appropriate to the OS of the PC you want to have talk to the printer. Run the software, it will ask if this is an initial install or adding a computer to the printer. You're adding. It will ask if this is a direct connect or wireless. Tell it wireless. It will search for the wireless connection, asking you for the color of the wifi light on the printer at various stages. The install software will set up the drivers for you.
This is not the way Windows' Add Printer wizards work, but the way Wireless printers get connected.

Fred Wagner

 

[x90syl]

Thanks kjv1611 & FredWagner for info. I will read the notes again and try what has been suggested and post back results

Regards