Win 7 64-bit doesn't print on my XP workgroup

[amtjon]

Okay, so I tried the following:

Here is one way to do it. Also it can be done without connecting printer through USB cable to Windows 7 machine.

1. Add Printer (click)
2. Choose local printer
3. Choose use existing port: print to file
4. If your printer is not listed, click windows update (requires internet).
5. Wait...
6. Check to see if printer is now listed.
7. Choose newly listed printer.
8. Printer will then install.

More...

1. Right click printer icon. Left click printer properties.
2. Click port tab.
3. Add new port. Local port
4. Type in address of shared printer ie \\Name or ip address of computer with attached shared printer\Shared printer name
5. Click general tab. Print test page. Run upstairs to see if your test page printed.

I had seen this similar text in several threads but so far it didn't work for me. I followed it but when I print it looks like it prints but nothing shows on the printer. Any ideas?

 

[Davidxtux]

When you go to add the printer via a computer on the network does it show the printer and install the drivers?

 

[amtjon]

yes, it is installed.

 

[severedsolo]

That is such a convoluted way to do it.... here is the way I set it up on My Girlfriends parents network.

Sorry this is actually less complicated than it appears here, I imagine you have done most of this im just trying to cover all the bases

First, check the printer is shared:

From the XP machine the printer is connected to:

1. Click Start -> Control Panel -> Printers And Other Hardware -> Printers And Faxes.
2. Click the printer you wish to share.
3. Click Share This Printer in the Task Pane.
4. In the printer’s Properties dialog, click the Sharing tab.
5. Click Share Name and OK.

While your there, open Command prompt and do a ipconfig to get the XP machine's IP address, make a note of it. Also make a note of the Printers name as its being transmitted over the network (Share Name), you will need it in a second.

To network the printer to Win 7

From the Win 7 machine:

Install the printer drivers onto the Win 7 machine before starting. (make sure they are Win 7/vista drivers, and that they are X86 or X64 depending on your version)

1. Open up Devices and Printers and delete the printer if it appears there, we will start from scratch (eliminates user error)
2. Click Add Printer
3. Click Add A New Port>Local Port
4. Type in "\\<XP machines IP address>\<printer name>" (no quotes or <>)
5. Finish the wizard, making sure to click "use existing drivers" (or similar) when it asks
6. Set the newly added Printer as Default.
7. Print a test page.