Network Printer Config

[redqueenprods]

Hello everyone. I am having trouble configuring a printer for home network use across my Windows 7 machines. I think I am a little more tech-savvy than the average user (doesn't everyone think this? lol) but I cannot figure this out, and I don't understand a lot of the network acronyms. I'm looking for any help you can offer.

The printer is USB connected to one desktop machine running Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. It can't connect to our router and it doesn't have wireless capability so it's USB connected.

I want my Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit laptop to be able to use it.

The printer works fine for the desktop; that is not the problem. On my laptop, when I open my network, I can see the desktop comp's icon there. But when I double-click on it, it says I do not have the permission to access it. Furthermore, when I open the network on my desktop and try to open the laptop's icon, it says to check the laptop name (what...?).

I think the reason I can't access the printer from the laptop is because my network isn't configured properly to begin with, but I can't figure out what's wrong. The desktop is using the OS firewall. The laptop is using ZoneAlarm and I've already turned the security to medium to allow for file-sharing within the network.

Someone please tell me that Homegroups are unnecessary for printer sharing... There is already a homegroup made by the desktop. When I try to connect the laptop to it, it says that I have to enable IPv6, but I've already checked it and it's enabled. I'd like to do all of this printer network stuff without using a homegroup at all, if possible.

Does anyone know where I should start? There are so many settings, I didn't know what to check first and I couldn't find a direct guide on the internet. Usually I can just go through and switch options around, but with networking there are so many settings/programs I didn't know where to begin.

Thanks for looking!

 

[WindowsStar]

Search the forums for Windows 7 and USB printing, you will find many many threads on this. Seems that Windows 7 does not share USB printers well.

My suggestion as I have given in other threads is to purchase a USB to Network device and put the printer on the network directly. Then all machines can print to it, plus you don't have to leave the desktop machine on to print.

Just my 2 cents, but is seems to work the best and will give you the least headaches.

 

[redqueenprods]

The printer actually uses a parallel port interface. I got a parallel-to-usb cable for it. If I plug that cable into the USB to wireless device, do you think it will work? I'm just wondering if the wireless device will be able to interface with it or if it's too old or something.

 

[WindowsStar]

USB or Parallel does not matter; Windows 7 seems to not share the printer well. Trust me get a parallel to network device and add the printer to the network, you will be so much happier in the long run.