Windows 7 - Connecting to Home Network Printer

My WIndows 7 decktop is part of a small home network. I can access files from the network form the Windows 7 computer but I cannot connect to the printer on the network. When I run the "add printer" wizard, it correctly lists the printers on the network, all of which are attached to one computer. Of the ones listed, only one is a real printer. The others are things like Adobe, or a fax printer. I successfully connected the Windows 7 to the "Adobe printer" but when I try to connect to the Lexmark printer, I get an error message, "0.0000000a". Also when I try "view network computers" from the Windows XP where the printer is connected, it does not show the Windows 7 computer as part of the network. THe Windows 7 had been part of the network prior to installing Windows 7 when it had Windows XP and it had no problems. THe connection to the home network seems to have survived the upgrade to Windows 7 on the Windows 7 computer but not on the others. Any help would sure be appreciated.

are you using 32-bit or 64-bit Windows?

Try installing the drivers for that printer inside 7. Or move the printer to the 7 computer and share it there instead.

HI Nick, and welcome to Windows Seven Forums!

I have, at one time or another, had 7, XP, 2000, 98, and Linux computers connected to my home network with various printers. First, to add 7 to a home network you can forget the Windows 7 HomeGroup, that is just to network 7 computers. You can turn it off. You will need to edit the "Workgroup" of your 7 computer to match the XP's in your home network.

Next you will have to determine if your Lexmark printer has Vista or 7 compatible drivers. Check out the Vista Compatibility site here for your Lexmark printer. sup3rsprt's suggestion to connect the printer to 7 and install drivers is a good one. After the drivers, if available, are installed, you will also be able to print to the printer as a network printer.

I am including some screenshots I hope will help you find the stuff you need. As you haven't filled in your computer specs in your "User Cpl" or otherwise supplied much in the way of detail, there is not much we can do to assist you.


My Computer, Properties


Network and sharing center


Advanced sharing settings



Cheers!

Robert