Windows 7: Network computer printing problem

I have two computers on my home network, one running Windows 7 Pro (connected to an HP 1020 printer) and one running Windows 7 Home Premium.

I can print just fine from the Pro computer (directly connected to the printer) but when I try to print from the Home Premium one, it goes into the Print Queue but just sits there. I have to restart the Print Spooler service and then it prints right away.

The printer is installed as a network printer on the Home Premium computer and I tried re-installing the latest driver from HP (the same one I used to install the printer on the Pro computer). The problem must lie in the Pro computer because the job comes in and sits in the queue, but the print spooler service, for some reason, just won't respond.

Any ideas on how to fix this?

Hello NoGard and welcome to Seven Forums!

I was wondering if you could plug the printer into your 7 pro machine and print? If you can, its not a driver problem.

When you installed the printer, you said you installed it via the network. Did it locate the printer or did you have to do a hard install? Also are you working in a homegroup or a workgroup?

Thanks,
Sarah

Sarah,

The printer is plugged into the Pro machine (via USB, obviously). I can print fine from that computer, however, the problem is printing from the laptop running Home Premium in the next room.

I installed the printer on the Home Premium machine by clicking add printer, then selecting Network printer. It found the printer right away and installed it. I have since updated the driver on the Home Premium machine (even though I know the problem to be in the Pro machine).

As for homegroup or workgroup, I believe we're on a homegroup. Both computers are part of the Workgroup workgroup, tho, but they do share a homegroup as well.

I would suggest putting them in a workgroup environment only. I would take both of them out of a homegroup. So we know its not a driver issue.

Can you leave the printer hooked up to the laptop and see if you can print something from the Pro machine? That should help in determining if its a network problem or just something on your machine.

Also, I would like to know a lil more about your network set up. Are you using wireless? Is everything cabled? Things like that.

Thanks a bunch,
Sarah

I'll try connecting the printer to the laptop and printing over the network when I get home.

The desktop is connected via cable, but the laptop is wireless.

I'll turn off the homegroup feature as well, and see if that helps at all.

Thanks!

I figured it out. I went into the printer properties, under ports, and unchecked the box that allows bidirectional support. It now prints just fine.