Another network printer problem

W7, 64 bit tower. Network with Asus router, wireless to an HP laptop with W7, 64 bit I think and the usb printer on the laptop, both home version. Most of the time the printer works, but once in a while it drops off. Usually I do a 'restore' to a previous time and it works, but this time I can't even install the printer from the tower. When I try to install from Devices and Printers and check Network printer, it shows up in the list, so I stop the search, select the HP computer and Brother HL-1540 printer and it starts and then immediately get "Windows cannot connect to the printer, access denied'. Even if I don't stop the search, same thing. I tried typing in the printer as a Local Port, no joy. Tower is always logged in as Admin. But I can see everything that is shared on that laptop at the tower, and visa versa. I can go to the laptop and print shared stuff from the tower no problemo. I have seen a message once that said the printer driver is not available on the network. Not sure what that means, but so far even doing a 'restore' point, nothing works. Been through the services and seems OK. I've tried uninstalling the printer from the LT and even unplugging it and restarting. No effect. I can even see the printer from the tower on the LT in the network under explorer. It's been like this from the get go, the printer keeps dropping out, so I usually just walk up to the LT and print from there, takes less time than spending all day trying to figure it out. Really aggravating.



Maybe I just need to uninstall the network and start over? It's all such a pain. Or just walk upstairs and print, I have to get the paper anyhow.

I don't know. I'll look into it. I'm assuming it wants to be static?

You have two choices for sharing your printer:

1. Connect your printer to one of your computers, and share it off of that computer.
2. Use a network adapter to connect your printer directly to the router, then connect to it as a true network printer from each computer. (Your printer won't connect directly to the network as is; you have to get an adapter to make that happen.)

Here is an example of a network adapter which will make your printer a true network printer:
https://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Linksys...s=print+server

This network adapter can be used for a different printer, as long as it is a USB printer, in case you one day change printers.

Utilizing a network adapter is the best way to network your printer. By using a network adapter on the printer, you avoid any issues which are caused by adding Windows into the mix, because in your current setup, you are dealing with the printer AND with Windows.

Thanks for that print server idea. Didn't know. It looks like a more elegant way to do it. If I can't get this sharing thing working again I'll get one. I'm sure it's Windoze that's in the way. That way we could put the printer wherever we like instead of tying it to a computer.

Anytime you can isolate the printer by putting it directly on the network, you are making your life easier. By doing this, you eliminate any effect that Windows has on the sharing part of the print process.

Of course, it is possible to have a Windows issue on the computer that is accessing the network printer; but it will be limited to that one computer, rather than affecting all computers which want to share that printer.

DogT said:

Thanks for that print server idea. Didn't know. It looks like a more elegant way to do it. If I can't get this sharing thing working again I'll get one. I'm sure it's Windoze that's in the way. That way we could put the printer wherever we like instead of tying it to a computer.

+1 for Jim's print server idea. If you're unfamiliar with these devices, I wrote a small webpage many years ago illustrating how they can be integrated into your network.

This is stupid. Along with the W7 wireless laptop that the printer is attached to, there's also a Mac that's hard wired to the router with my tower. Well, I selected the Mac Brother HL-5140 printer in the add printer under control panel and now it's printing. Go figure. The printer is still connected to the W7 laptop wireless. This is stupid. I'm going to bed.

Sometimes these things don't make sense. But if it is working, good.