Thread: Printer Sharing - Home Network

Hey guys, since there's no "networking forum", can I post this Q here? I have a baffling situation and I need some advice from the experts!

Originally Posted by simrick

Hey guys, since there's no "networking forum", can I post this Q here? I have a baffling situation and I need some advice from the experts!

Yes yes go ahead I think...

OK Here goes:

Computer #1 - HP desktop Win XP Home SP3, Comodo Firewall, AVG Anti-Virus, SuperAntiSpyware, hardwired to a Belkin Wireless-N Router

Computer #2 - Toshiba laptop, Vista Home SP1, Comodo Firewall, AVG Anti-Virus, SuperAntiSpyware, wireless connection

Kodak printer attached to comp #1

I have put both computers on the same workgroup, enabled file & printer sharing, checked that this is installed in the LAN, shared the printer and shared some file folders. The computers are on the network, each sees the other and shares files successfully. The XP desktop shows up in the network map of the Vista laptop, but it is not placed properly. [I know I don't need to add the LLTD to the desktop because that is part of SP3 for XP.]

When I try to "add a network printer" to the laptop, it finds the Kodak printer, but will not connect to it. I even went in to the manual settings of Comodo Firewall and set it up to share, but it still won't connect, so it's not the firewall that's stopping me.

Any other ideas where I can look? Thanks for any help.

Do you have a model number for the printer?

Btw it may not work with XP to Vista

Originally Posted by Steve-B

Do you have a model number for the printer?

Btw it may not work with XP to Vista

It's a Kodak ESP-3 all-in-one and the box says it's Vista compatible. I have had the printer hooked up directly to the Vista laptop and it worked fine. I just can't get it networked. It's the strangest thing. I can share files between the 2 computers, and the Vista laptop can see the Kodak printer, it just won't connect to it and it's not the firewall.

Originally Posted by simrick

OK Here goes:

Computer #1 - HP desktop Win XP Home SP3, Comodo Firewall, AVG Anti-Virus, SuperAntiSpyware, hardwired to a Belkin Wireless-N Router

Computer #2 - Toshiba laptop, Vista Home SP1, Comodo Firewall, AVG Anti-Virus, SuperAntiSpyware, wireless connection

Kodak printer attached to comp #1

I have put both computers on the same workgroup, enabled file & printer sharing, checked that this is installed in the LAN, shared the printer and shared some file folders. The computers are on the network, each sees the other and shares files successfully. The XP desktop shows up in the network map of the Vista laptop, but it is not placed properly. [I know I don't need to add the LLTD to the desktop because that is part of SP3 for XP.]

When I try to "add a network printer" to the laptop, it finds the Kodak printer, but will not connect to it. I even went in to the manual settings of Comodo Firewall and set it up to share, but it still won't connect, so it's not the firewall that's stopping me.

Any other ideas where I can look? Thanks for any help.

bump(?)...

Have a look at post #2, might help; http://tinyurl.com/8q2776

Thanks Fabler, I'll give that a try.

Originally Posted by simrick

Thanks Fabler, I'll give that a try.

Fabler!! Once again, you come through! I finally got over to network the printers at this gal's house and VOILA! I wanted to get back to the URL you gave me to express my gratitude, but it appears to be gone. So, in case anyone else comes across this same problem, I thought I would put the instructions below. BTW - Later on next week, I will try this on a W2K machine where the printer is attached to a Vista machine...hope it works there too!


1.) Verify that File and print sharing is turned on and properly configured on the XP machine.

2.) Open the the shared location of the printer (Shared Printers folder) on Win XP from your Vista machine

3.) On the Vista machine launch the "Add a Printer" wizard

4.) Choose "Add a local printer"

5.) Select "Create a new port" radio button and choose "Local Port" from the drop down menu

6.) Press Next

7.) In the "Enter Port Name:" box enter the shared folder path from 'Step 2'.
(e.g. \\WinXP\PrinterSharedFolder)

8.) Select the Printer driver from the list provided or use the "Have Disk" button to install the correct Vista driver if it is not in the built-in list. It is critical that the driver you use is Vista compatible.

9.) Press next

10.) Give the printer a distinct name and choose whether to set as the default.

11.) Press Next

12.) Print a test page to verify functionality.

13.) Press Finish

Glad it worked The link still works for me though.