Windows 7: Linux/Unix Print Server

I am trying to setup a NAS device on my old laptop to share files and printer in my home network. Software packages I have tried are FreeNAS 0.70RC1 and Ubuntu Server 9.04. Client PCs on the network include a Windows XP Pro desktop, a Windows Vista Home laptop, and a Windows 7 RC1 desktop.

In both cases (i.e FreeNAS and Ubuntu), file sharing (read/write) can be done flawlessly on all client PCs (without the need of userid/password) via the Samba services. Network printing is working on the XP and Vista system but not the Windows 7. I can add printer under Windows 7, but every print jobs sent went missing (i.e. no printout).

I thought the problem might be due to user account or homeserver settings. I tried a number of steps (listed below) but still no luck and I would like to hear others advice.

This is my first post and thank you for your attention.

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Steps I tried:

• Make username different on the Windows 7 and the server
• Disable homeserver services on Win 7
• For the Ubuntu case, connect the printer via “local port” pointing to “//server/printer”
• For the FreeNAS case, I tried both LPR and TCP/IP port connection
• Spool folder on the server is “777” for all

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Information on print server setup:

In the FreeNAS case, spool server (i.e. LPRng) was setup to allow print jobs to be sent to the printer from client PCs via TCP/IP. In the Ubuntu case, Linux printer driver and Samba servers have been setup and printer is shared on the network via the Samba.