Network printer won't print

[dlk7107]

I am able to add a network printer to my laptop using a wireless homegroup; however, when I send a test page, nothing happens at the printer. The printer is attached to a desktop in another room. Both the laptop & the desktop use Windows 7. The system worked OK when the laptop used Windows 7 & the dektop had Vista. Did I miss a step at the desktop printer end, or is the problem at the remote laptop side? Here are the steps I used to install the printer at the laptop:

<Start>, <Control Panel>, <Add a printer>, <Add a network, wireless printer>, [URL="file://\\Donald-PC\HP Photosmart C5100 series"]<\\Donald-PC\HP Photosmart C5100 series[/URL]>, <Next>, <Install driver>, <Next>, <Print a test page>.

Please help. Thanks.

 

[Casca]

What does this look like on both PCs?

 

[chev65]

I am able to add a network printer to my laptop using a wireless homegroup; however, when I send a test page, nothing happens at the printer. The printer is attached to a desktop in another room. Both the laptop & the desktop use Windows 7. The system worked OK when the laptop used Windows 7 & the dektop had Vista. Did I miss a step at the desktop printer end, or is the problem at the remote laptop side? Here are the steps I used to install the printer at the laptop:

<Start>, <Control Panel>, <Add a printer>, <Add a network, wireless printer>, [URL="file://\\Donald-PC\HP Photosmart C5100 series"]<\\Donald-PC\HP Photosmart C5100 series[/URL]>, <Next>, <Install driver>, <Next>, <Print a test page>.

Please help. Thanks.

You might want to try the steps outlined in the link below by Jimbo. Usually you can get the printer working this way.
http://www.sevenforums.com/network-sharing/4602-xp-7-printer-sharing.html

 

[dlk7107]

I solved the printer problem. I noticed that "Enabel bidirectional support" was NOT checked. In fact, it was grayed out. Fortunately, I had made an image backup just after installing Windows 7. Restoring back to that point allowed me to install a network printer which has "Enable bidirectional support" checked. The network printer now works.

 

[acurasd]

I thought BiDirectional was a LPT port thing?

 

[mrscobiee]

I have a desktop pc with win XP and and an attached deskjet 5550. I have shared this printer. I just got a win 7 laptop and was able to attach the printer using the \\pc name\printer name for the port as a local printer. It worked for about 4 days then suddenly all of the print jobs hang in the queue and don't get sent to the printer. I have run trouble shooting on the printer from the laptop and it can see the printer, validate the driver and find no problem. Where should I check next?

 

[shnewsman]

I had the same problem. Installed host printer fine. Installed remote printer fine. HP 1020. It seems to have no problem printing everything BUT a test page. The reliable 1020 is seven years old. I don't think HP wants us to use this printer with Windows 7. It wants us to buy a new, Windows-7-snazzy printer. If you can live without the test page, the rest seems to work okay.