USB Print sharing 2 Win7 Computers

[Fenix66d]

I'm stuck! Have computer (A) running Win7 64b with Canon Pixma MG6120 printer connected via USB. Have been trying to share this printer with Computer (B) running Win7 32b located in another room. Both computers connected to network via cat45 wired home. Router is a D-Link DGL-4100.

Obviously, printer works with Computer (A). Computer (B) can not find printer path.

Here's what I've tried already.

1. Used online tutorial/guide submitted by Jimbo. Results "Network name cannot be found".

2. For Computer (A) Under Printer Properties I have the following:
Port: USB001
Description: Virtual printer port for USB
Printer: Canon MG6100 series Printer XPS, Canon MG6100 series Printer

also listed is ;
Port: DOT4
Description: HP Photosmart 7550 series Printer
Note: this printer has been removed along with driver and software. However I cannot delete this port, nor change its description.

3. Both computers have been setup for print/file share

So, using \\computer name I have tried;

\\computername\virtualport........
\\computer name\CanonMG6100seriesPrinterXPS,CanonMG6100seriesPrinter

both attempts resulted in the above stated error message. (Network name cannot be found)

I'm at a lost. I have a strong suspicion that the issue is the left over DOT4/HP printer. Please help.

 

[pricetech]

Just a thought; You did explicitly share the printer when you set it up, right ??

Give it a simple sharename that's easy to type in.

Try using \\ipaddress\sharename as well.

 

[Fenix66d]

Hi pricetech, thanks for reply, however, I don't understand your line of thought. Are you suggesting that I can change the description name of the printer on the computer that's connected to the Canon printer via USB? If so, how?

I thought that if both computers are in the same Homegroup, both have file/folder/print share on. all I would need to do on Computer B is add printer, add local printer, create new port = "Local Port", than enter port name i.e., \\computername\sharedprintername.

I believe that on Computer (A) w/usb printer, the USB001 description is not valid, therefore, computer (B) doesn't recognize path. For example, \\RAMPAGE2-XTREME\CanonMG6100seriesPrinter would be a valid path for Computer (A) . Agree?

As a side note, all the USB printers that I have connected always use port DOT4. So, how do I delete this port with the HP printer still in the description. Or can I add a new port DOT4?

 

[Ztruker]

You have to specifically share the printer (as any name you want to call it).

There is a good tutorial here: Share a printer

Watch the short video.

 

[Fenix66d]

Rich, thank-you for the link. I've have already done what the tutorial suggested. I'm still stymied.

 

[Fenix66d]

Ztruker - I resolved the problem with your help. This video was most helpful: Watch a video: Video: Sharing a printer at home. Other guides/tutorials suggested setting up a "Local" printer, however, this video showed that you need to setup a "network" printer once you setup your computer for print sharing. When I followed the latter step, Computer (B) immediately connected to the Canon printer and I was able to print out a test page. Yea!!

I think that you use the "Local Printer" method if you are using different versions of Windows over multiple computers, that is, Win7, WinXP, Vista, etc. Is this a correct assumption or is the method describes in the video correct for any version of Windows being used and any number of computers?

Again, thanks!

 

[Ztruker]

On any of them, from the client system (the one the printer is not attached to) you have to setup a network printer.

Actually, it's even easier than that.

Open Network, then the computer that has the printer attached to it.
Double click on the shared printer and Win 7 will install the correct driver and you're done.