XP to Win 7 Printer sharing

Britton30 · 21 Nov 2011

OK, thanks. Will be a tomorrow project. It would be temprary anyway till I get a new motherboard for my other Win7 box.

carwiz · 21 Nov 2011

You don't need to setup a workgroup/homegroup for a printer that's connected to the router. Just type in search Add Printer and select "Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer". Follow the prompts. If Windows 7 has the drivers, you should be good to go.

Is the printer already setup on the XP machine as a networked printer? It can't be plugged into the XP machine and the router.

ADDED: Each machine that uses the printer will need the printer drivers.

Britton30 · 21 Nov 2011

Here's my connections setup.

XP to Win 7 Printer sharing-netsetup.png

The XP has the drivers. The Win 7 does not and both worked when I had another Win 7 machine where the XP is now, without drivers.

carwiz · 22 Nov 2011

Too messy. Your XP machine would be used as a print server so it has to turned on to print from another machine. I have three machines. The only one that has to be turned on is the one that's printing. The other two can be off. Also, a LAN will allow adding multiple printers that can be used by any of the PC on the LAN.

Here's my setup.

carwiz · 22 Nov 2011

Here's another option with a LAN. Any PC can use any printer.

Britton30 · 22 Nov 2011

Thanks carwiz, I think I'll just have to wait till I get my other Win 7 Pc fixed. This is an old printer and it has no ethernet connectivity nor do I have a switch. Both PCs are always on.

2xg · 22 Nov 2011

Hi Britton,

A USB Print Server will be more feasible and they are very reasonable. Sometimes it is such a hassle sharing a USB Printer off your network. Pls. read the technical specs as well.
http://www.amazon.com/Neewer-USB-LRP...1981771&sr=8-5

Britton30 · 22 Nov 2011

Thanks 2xg, didn't know a print server existed. I just used Win 7's Home Group in the past with no other equipment, the other 7 box will be operational within a week or two.
Would a print server cut internet speed in the same way a router does?

MilesAhead · 22 Nov 2011

2xg said:

Hi Britton,

A USB Print Server will be more feasible and they are very reasonable. Sometimes it is such a hassle sharing a USB Printer off your network. Pls. read the technical specs as well.
Amazon.com: Neewer USB 2.0 LRP Print Server Share a Networking USB Printer: Electronics

That looks neat. I don't print enough to worry about it. But looks like the way to go so that any machine can be booted to print.

2xg · 22 Nov 2011

Britton,

Would a print server cut internet speed in the same way a router does?

The link that I gave you supports 10Base-T or 100Base-T networks. There are different types of them, some supports Gig networks and Wireless connectivity which is pretty neat. If your network supports 1000mbps, the transfer rate will be faster, therefore if your Print Server supports 1000mbps it will be better. If you plug in a Network Gig Switch in your your router that only supports 100mbps, the transfer rate will be in 1000mbps.
Depending on the Router specs, if it only supports this transfer rates, your print server will also be affected.
- Wireless Data Transfer Rate: 150 Mbps
- Wired Data Transfer Rate: 10/100 Mbps (Ethernet 10 Base-T)

Also, don't forget the NAS, you may use this as Files and Print Server. :)

MilesAhead - Yes, Print Servers are very neat. Thanks.