Solved XP to Win 7 Printer sharing

[Britton30]

I have a printer connected to my XP Pro machine which I want to share with and print from a Win 7 Ultimate machine. the computers are connected via a wired router. Can't find the tut on it.
EDIT Printer is hp photosmart 7960, USB, no ethernet connection.

 

[MilesAhead]

I have a printer connected to my XP Pro machine which I want to share with and print from a Win 7 Ultimate machine. the computers are connected via a wired router. Can't find the tut on it.

What's the printer model? I ask because some USB printers don't have any downloadable drivers. What's in the firmware is the whole shootin' match.

 

[Kari]

This post might help you: http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...ing-win7-xp-using-net-use-lpt.html#post718202

Kari

 

[Britton30]

Thanks Kari, but I got the error "Wrong domain or bad password" message. I previously had a Home Group setup on the 7 machine. I can't see either PC from the other.

 

[carwiz]

I share a older HP 6310xi AiO with an XP machine via a router. As I recall, I downloaded drivers for this machine (Windows 7) from HP and had to install those first. If I remember correctly, there were specific drivers for a LAN printer. Then it was just going through the Add Printer process. (I think--It was past yesterday) It works great. I can set the printer options from either machine for what I'm printing at the time. The printer OEM should have the process documented. At least HP did at the time.

 

[Britton30]

HP has no drivers for this for Windows 7. They only say Windows 7 already has the correct driver, which is true. It's a HP photosmart 7960. Drivers are installed in the XP machine but will not install to the Win 7 machine.

 

[MilesAhead]

For some reason they changed the default workgroup name from MSHOME in XP to WORKGROUP on Vista/W7. The only way I was able to get it going was to set up a workgroup using MSHOME, and set it as a private network. I tried to just get the already public folders visible. Public on Vista/W7 and AllUsers in XP.

Seemed like once I did that I could go back and share other folders and printers over the network. Also I turned off firewall and all the av crap. Another thing that can mess you up is Windows Media Player wants to set up the network the way it likes so it can share media files over the network. I advise you to kill all that crap off until you get everything else working.

 

[MilesAhead]

HP has no drivers for this for Windows 7. They only say Windows 7 already has the correct driver, which is true. It's a HP photosmart 7960. Drivers are installed in the XP machine but will not install to the Win 7 machine.

Is it possible to physically connect the printer to the Windows7 machine? It may serve up the driver better in one direction than the other.

 

[Britton30]

Is it possible to physically connect the printer to the Windows7 machine? It may serve up the driver better in one direction than the other.

I don't have the physical space to allow it. Also I named the workgroup to BRITTON.

 

[MilesAhead]

I see. If you can't see anything yet then I'd look in the network wizard thingy and make sure the type is set to Private. Also killing off WMP so it won't interfere.

 

[Britton30]

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

 

[carwiz]

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]

Here's my connections setup.


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]

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]

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

 

[Britton30]

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]

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-LR...62DU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1321981771&sr=8-5

 

[Britton30]

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]

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]

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.