Solved Share Printer from Window 7 to Vista

[ktchensink007]

Having difficulty printer from Vista to Windows 7. Canon MP210 is connected via USB to Windows 7 machine. Sharing is on and otherwise functioning. from the Vista machine, I can see the printer but cannot print. I can see all other files shared.


Any help would be great. I know part of the issue is the ".inf" which I cannot get to.

Thanks,
Randy

 

[ComputerJoe22]

If you can see the printer from Vista then check it's properties and see what the port is. Can you print a selftest from the Win7 machine?

Back to basics:
Remove the printer from Vista.
Check that "Printer and Sharing Service" is installed on both Windows. From "Network and Sharing Center", after clicking "Manage Network Connections" right click on "Local Area Connection" and then click "properties". You should see "Printer and Sharing" listed.

Then in the Network and Sharing Center make sure Printer Sharing is ON in the Win7 machine.

Then click "View Computers and Devices" in the Network and Sharing Center.

Can you even see the other machines? If not reboot and wait a few and try again.

 

[ktchensink007]

network/sharing/printer done. Yes I can see from Vista to 7 the printer and all other files. From 7 to vista I can see all files (only sharing from this machine)

 

[MilesAhead]

Did you download Windows 7 driver for the printer? I'm not familiar with Cannon but Epson many times have USB driver in firmware. On my printer it won't share unless it's connected to the Vista machine(I have 2 PCs, one Vista one W7)

In my case there is no downloadable W7 driver. The one in firmware is it. But I looked up yours and it claims to have both 32 and 64 bit W7 drivers:

Canon U.S.A. : Support & Drivers : PIXMA MP210

In my case when the printer was connected to W7 machine, I could see it from Vista but the Icon was not correct and it didn't work. The printer driver has to serve itself over the network or it won't work right.

Also you don't say your Service Pack level. If Vista before SP1 you need to create a virtual port. The same trick that was used on OS/2 back in the 90s. If SP1 or later then it should work with the right driver.

 

[MilesAhead]

Since you have 2 OS, both Vista and Windows Seven, it would be a good idea to post the specs for both to save a dozen questions about SP level, 32 vs 64 bit etc..

It's just delays a solution if you hold back on the information.

 

[ktchensink007]

Good point thanks.

laptop 1: windows 7 Home Prem. 64 bit
laptop 2: vista, 32 bit SP2

thanks,
randy

 

[MilesAhead]

Try connecting the printer to the Vista machine instead.

 

[ComputerJoe]

I would guess having 32 and 64 bit machines, driver version is what to look at.
Did you install the printer driver on the Vista from the CD?

 

[ktchensink007]

cd on vista
web (canon) for 7

 

[MilesAhead]

Also on some of these printers I think they just label the Vista driver as a W7 driver. On XP printers often ran a client program on the machine that didn't have the printer attached to access the printer on the other machine. Now on Vista and W7 the driver is expected to serve itself over the network. Sometimes one OS does it better than the other. It may vary by printer. Since they are both laptops can't you swap them to try it? Or is the network in more than one house?

 

[ktchensink007]

tapping out. will upgrade vista to W7. Thanks for the help.