Shared printer works from 1 machine, but not another

AJP687 · 27 Feb 2012

Hi! Tried doing a lot of searching on here and google, but didn't find a resolution.
I have a Machine with Windows 7 Alienware x86 hosting a shared network printer.
I am able to find and print on a machine with Win7 Home Premium x64 with no problem. Both machines belong to the x64 Homegroup.
I have a netbook with Win7 Starter and find the printer on the network and even try adding it with \\hostname\printername. I find it no problem and drivers install on the netbook, but when I try to print it does nothing. Works great on the other two machines. Any help would be appriciated. I also joined the homegroup to see if that helped, but it didn't.

2xg · 27 Feb 2012

Welcome to Seven Forums,

Instead of typing \\hostname\printername try \\hostnameIPAddress\printername or just \\hostnameIPAddress then press enter.
The IP Address can be obtained by running an ipconfig /all command from the computer that's sharing the printer.

An update will be nice.

AJP687 · 27 Feb 2012

When I go to create a new local port with \\ipaddress and/or \\ip\printername it doesn't find it, but when I create a new local port with \\computername I find it no problem. I can also find it no problem by adding a network printer.

2xg · 27 Feb 2012

Did you download the latest printer driver from the Manufacturer's site? Uninstall the printer driver then use the new one from the manufacturer's site.

I've had this issue before, I downloaded the new one then I had to change the Virtual Printer Port for USB.

Another option, very popular nowadays...If your router supports USB, you may utilize this, it's an easy setup as well. My Netgear router has this option. :)