Home network printer, linksys router, 2 different OSs

[johnblack]

Can anyone offer help on this, please?

I have a new 64-bit desktop running Windows 7 (Home Premium) and an old 32-bit laptop running XP Pro, networked via a linksys router with a HP printer attached to the desktop. I have installed a Windows 7 printer driver in the desktop, and it prints fine. I can no longer print from the laptop, however, although it recognises the printer.

The desktop replaces a previous one running XP Pro. I don't think I have a printer driver in the laptop (but it is possible), nor do I know if it is necessary.

Can I get around this problem by installing an XP driver in the laptop, or is there a 32- vs 64-bit incompatibility causing it?

Thanks!

 

[Barman58]

If you connect the laptop directly to the printer and install the driver and check that everything is working.

once this is done disconnect the direct link and go through the network add printer and it should see the printer and allow you to use the "existing driver"

if not you need to create a new port in the xp printer driver, ( printer properties - ports- add port), a TCP/IP port pointing to the address that the printer is on the network - (either the machine address,(/computername/printername), IP address,(/192.n.n.n/printername) or just the IP address for a network printer