How do I enable my Laptop to print to my printer connected to my PC?

The Crusader · #1 04-19-2011, 09:19 PM

My home network is setup wirelessly, so I would like to be able to print to the printer connected to the main PC.
PC is windows vista home premium.
Laptop is windows xp service pack 2.

I followed some directions I found on the net, but the printer just aint showing up on the laptop when I go to add it.

any ideas?

thanks.

fdeck · #2 04-19-2011, 09:31 PM

A couple of things:

1. On the computer with the printer attached, you have to "share" the printer so that other computers can see it.

2. If you have a firewall on that computer, it might be interfering with other computers on the network seeing your printer.

Tracebassplayer · #3 04-19-2011, 09:32 PM

Go to "printers" click "add Printer" choose "network Printer" if your desktop and printer are on then you should "see" the printer. If the desktop is "off" or you have it set to "don't share printer" then you won't see it.

The Crusader · #4 04-19-2011, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tracebassplayer

Go to "printers" click "add Printer" choose "network Printer" if your desktop and printer are on then you should "see" the printer. If the desktop is "off" or you have it set to "don't share printer" then you won't see it.

everything is on, but no printer in site

Tracebassplayer · #5 04-19-2011, 10:29 PM

OK, go to the desktop computer, right click on your printer to share, click "sharing" or "share printer" and see if it is checked to "share"...

**bassybill** · #6 04-19-2011, 11:00 PM

Depending on your security settings, you may need to configure your wireless network to allow the printer access. To do this, you'll need to add the MAC code for the printer to the list of allowed devices using your router setup utility. The MAC code for the printer will be in its documentation.

So, the first thing to do is check security settings for your wireless router to see whether it has an access list enabled that restricts devices' access to the network by MAC code. Go to your router setup page to do this.

tk421 · #7 04-20-2011, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

Depending on your security settings, you may need to configure your wireless network to allow the printer access. To do this, you'll need to add the MAC code for the printer to the list of allowed devices using your router setup utility. The MAC code for the printer will be in its documentation.

So, the first thing to do is check security settings for your wireless router to see whether it has an access list enabled that restricts devices' access to the network by MAC code. Go to your router setup page to do this.

if the printer is connected to the desktop - most likely via USB - the printer's MAC - if there is one, is not necessary. only if the printer had a network port (or wifi built in) would that come into play.

my question would be, what OS are the laptop and desktop running? if Vista or W7 - the printer must be shared via the homegroup settings, and the laptop must join the homegroup after setting up on the desktop.

and all firewalling should be handled by your router, not the PCs.

tycobb73 · #8 04-20-2011, 05:22 AM

if any of this doesn't work, save what you need on the laptop to a thumb drive and open it up on the laptop.

**bassybill** · #9 04-20-2011, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk421

if the printer is connected to the desktop - most likely via USB - the printer's MAC - if there is one, is not necessary. only if the printer had a network port (or wifi built in) would that come into play.

True. I was thinking of a wireless printer.

DWBass · #10 04-20-2011, 05:59 AM

You still need to load the printer's drivers on your laptop even though you're trying to print wirelessly through a network.

The Crusader · #11 04-20-2011, 05:59 AM

Well, after 2 plus hours I finally got the printer visible on the laptop. I tried setting it up as the default printer on the laptop but now it needs a .info file that doesn't seem to be available where it should be.

I'm not sure but I suspect that having 2 different operating systems is throwing me some curveballs here.

Laptop has windows XP.
Desktop windows vista 64.

The Crusader · #12 04-20-2011, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWBass

You still need to load the printer's drivers on your laptop even though you're trying to print wirelessly through a network.

I did that. Still get that dang message for a missing file.

CrispyDelicious · #13 04-20-2011, 08:49 AM

Email the file to yourself, print from PC.

DWBass · #14 04-20-2011, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Crusader

Well, after 2 plus hours I finally got the printer visible on the laptop. I tried setting it up as the default printer on the laptop but now it needs a .info file that doesn't seem to be available where it should be.

I'm not sure but I suspect that having 2 different operating systems is throwing me some curveballs here.

Laptop has windows XP.
Desktop windows vista 64.

At my work, there have been some issues with PC's running Vista (vs XP) and connecting to print servers. Could be the same issue you're having.

The Crusader · #15 04-20-2011, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrispyDelicious

Email the file to yourself, print from PC.

I could but its a matter of convenience. Have to print a lot of pictures for work and would much rather do it from the couch than up in the office.

MJ5150 · #16 04-20-2011, 09:54 AM

It could be it snagged the 64 bit driver from Vista, which I suspect is not working on XP and giving you the INF message. Try loading a 32 bit XP driver for the printer and see if that helps. You will probably have to go to the website of the printer brand and look it up.

-Mike

The Crusader · #17 04-20-2011, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

It could be it snagged the 64 bit driver from Vista, which I suspect is not working on XP and giving you the INF message. Try loading a 32 bit XP driver for the printer and see if that helps. You will probably have to go to the website of the printer brand and look it up.

-Mike

Do I need to load the same driver on both computers?

MJ5150 · #18 04-20-2011, 12:24 PM

No, each OS will have it's own driver in this case.

What is the printer model? I'll help you find the driver and we'll see if that fixes it.

-Mike

Tracebassplayer · #19 04-20-2011, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Crusader

Well, after 2 plus hours I finally got the printer visible on the laptop. I tried setting it up as the default printer on the laptop but now it needs a .info file that doesn't seem to be available where it should be.

I'm not sure but I suspect that having 2 different operating systems is throwing me some curveballs here.

Laptop has windows XP.
Desktop windows vista 64.

I doubt the different OSes are a problem. Ok, maybe the vista 64. i don't use that one. I am running 3 different OS platforms - Win XP pro, Win Vista and Win 7 and I can print from any.

Yes, you have to have the drivers loaded on each machine for any hardware you want to share on the intranet, whether that is hardwired or wi-fi.

The Crusader · #20 04-20-2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

No, each OS will have it's own driver in this case.

What is the printer model? I'll help you find the driver and we'll see if that fixes it.

-Mike

Hi Mike. I've tried numerous drivers from Canon. But they all seem to have the same problem when it comes to networking the printer.
That's what some Googling seems to tell me.