Network Printing

[Lobo1943]

Hello,
I have tried to establish a HomeGroup so I can share printers. PC1 prints ok via a USB port, however, PC2 dies not print at all. When I go to Devices and Printers I can see my PC1 printer. I have the shared printer box check but nothing happens.

I have removed the printer from Devices and Printers on PC2 and selected “Add a printer” and then selected “Select a shared printer” then click Browse and I see PC1. When I select PC1 it asks for a user name and password. I tried using the user name and password for PC1 and tried using the user name and password for PC2 but nothing happens.

This have been very frustrating and I need to share my printer that is connected to PC1 (my desktop).

I am running Windows 7 64 bit on both machines and I have the printer driver installed on both machines and I am wired from PC1 to my wireless router. I can share file and folders from PC2, co I know that each computer is communicating.

Thanks for any help.
Lobo

 

[Britton30]

From PC1 open Control Panel\Hardware and Sound\Devices and Printers RIGHT click the printer and click Printer Properties, not to be confused with Properties. Click the Sharing tab and see that Share this Printer box is checked.

Check your firewall for a setting which may block networking or sharing.

 

[Lobo1943]

Thanks for the advice, I have already completed what you suggested and it does not work. In addition, I have turned off my security for both computers thinking that one of the machine anti-virus software was blocking the network, but that did not help either.

This is what is happing now:
1. I open Devices and Printers
2. Add a printer
3. Click Ad a network wireless or Blue tooth printer
4. Click on The printer that U want isn't listed
5. Select a shared printer by name & browse
6. I see the desktop PC & Select it
7. I see the printer and Select it
8. Click Next in the Add printers window
9. the I get a message that reads, " Windows cannot connect to the printer"

What can I do to resolve this issue. Any help will be appreciated.
Lobo

 

[DeaconFrost]

Honestly, the easiest way to set up a network printer is to buy a network printer. I know that isn't helpful, but when I try to troubleshoot these issues, it usually comes down to the fact people are using different username/password combos on the systems.

I also always skip the wizards because they never tell you anything important. If you can't connect to the printer by \\computername\printername then you have a sharing or permissions error.

 

[Lobo1943]

Thanks for the advice, but this isn't it help. And why would I want to buy a new printer when the ones I have work perfectly fine. I have been networking printers for some time, and for some reason I have lost ability to network with my main printer and need help understanding on how to fix the problem.

You are correct, when t is time to buy a new printer I will get a wireless printer, until then all that I want to do is network my printer.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I've replaced printers in the past solely for the reason that they weren't true network printers. The printers are cheap these days...it's the ink that gets you. That being said, you skipped the second part of my original post. Forget using wizards. Many people have issues setting up file and print sharing on home networks because they assume the wizards will magically do everything for them. Learning proper networking, aka UNC paths, is the way to go. Then it doesn't matter which OS is installed on which computer.

 

[Britton30]

I'm not being condescending but did you join the Home Group on PC2?

I have been trying to use Home Group for awhile but can't get my PC2 to join. I can however print from it because it is just using network and I don't know how I did that, but at least it works.

My printer is so old there is no w7 driver for it from HP, it uses some generic driver. Sorry I'm no more help. I'll ask for help.

 

[Lobo1943]

Britton30,
Thanks for the note, yes PC1 and PC2 are communicating fine and I can share files and photos, I just can't share the printer.
Lobo1943

 

[TheHelpingGuy]

Reed this all

Did you share the printer in the first place?

Well, you could try to select the PC1 form PC2 (open printers and devices(wait for PC1 to show up))and double click it and the printer should pop up, if not, try to do this on PC1 : (2 paragraphs down)

If the printer shows up double click it it should install.

Start/ printer and devices/ Right click on your printer/select Printer proprieties.

A window should pop up.

On the ribbon (the top bit) select sharing.

If it says "Sharing is not supported for this type of printer" there is nothing we can do.

If not:

On the Sharing ribbon, down to the first tic down "Share this printer" and name it.

IMPORTANT:
Tick the the last tick box on the sharing ribbon.

I hope this helps.

Reply if helps!

 

[Britton30]

Britton30,
Thanks for the note, yes PC1 and PC2 are communicating fine and I can share files and photos, I just can't share the printer.
Lobo1943

OK, I emailed a friend to help, give them time to reply.

 

[DeaconFrost]

This eerily reminds me of the trouble I had with homegroups and wizards. I still suggest doing it the proper way. To me, it's much easier, and easier to troubleshoot as well.

 

[Britton30]

This may or may not help.
Why can't I access my homegroup?

From this link, make sure that Files and Printer sharing is allowed or excluded from Windows firewall.
Enable file and printer sharing

Then try to enable network services again.
Also, make sure that all of these network services and it's Dependencies are Started.
• COM+ Event System (for WZC issues only)
• Computer Browser
• DHCP Client
• DNS Client
• Network Connections
• Network Location Awareness
• Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
• Server
• TCP/IP Netbios helper
• Workstation

EDIT: Shut down both computers for 2 minutes and restart with PC1 first, with the printer attached. Make sure both machines have the same username and password. Check your firewall that a printer port or the above services are not being blocked.