Network Printer

Well dont use homegroup. and also make sure the workgroup is named the same as xp eg MSHOME (RIGHT CLICK COMPUTER). Go to Control Panel - Network and Sharing - Change Advanced sharing settings on left -
try these settings
1 network discovery - turn on
2 file and printer sharing - turn on
3 public folder sharing - turn off (optional)
4 media streaming - turn off (optional)
5 file sharing connections - use 128 bit
6 password protect - turn off
7 homegroup connections - use user accounts and passwords

Lastly you need the driver on w7 laptop if all else fails download the w7 driver - disconnect the printer from the desktop and connect it to the laptop - read install instructions firstly - install drivers - then connect it back to the desktop.

Thanks for the suggestion, It seemed to have gone further than before but I did get an error message (see screen shot).

I guess I won't upgrade the other windows computers and maybe even scrap 7 on the laptop and go back to XP.

Thanks for your help

I created that port, I eluded to that in the first post, that does not work either.
I can't believe even a linux machine can print to this and I can't get another windows machine to print to it. I used the latest drivers from HP who says it will work with Windows 7 (they probably mean locally). Oh well, I can see it will cost to much to upgrade the other machines which work great the way they are. I guess I will just put those files on a thumb drive and take them to the desktop to print. I am very disappointed with Microsoft on this "non feature". Thanks for your suggestion.