Printer Sharing on Network - Windows 98 and XP

This one is driving me mad at work, and I hope someone out there can help!

We have a pretty 'simple' network setup where I work, and we have been happily sharing files and a single printer in my team for the last couple of years. However, one member of the team has recently upgraded his PC to one running XP. Now, we can share files just as before, but the XP machine will not print on the shared printer.

The shared printer is attached to my own machine running 98SE, and the other computers in my team (the only ones I have an interest in!) run either 98SE, ME, or 95. (I know these are a bit old, but try telling my MD that!) The other PCs continue to print share without problems.

I am thinking that this is a driver issue i.e. the installed driver on my machine is necessary for me to print, but wont work for the XP machine.

Does this sould right? If so, is there anyway I can get around this, either by configuring my 98SE machine or the XP machine?

This is one of those annoying things that we can live with, but wish we didnt have to! By the way, the printer in question is an HP1220C.

Please help!!!!

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One question first, cause this could make a difference. Is the XP machine running SP2?
If the XP machine is not using SP2, then #1.. make sure the XP computer runs the network setup wizard (in the control panel) to identify itself on your network. While running the network setup wizard, make sure you turn on "file and print sharing" Once this is done #2 ..run "add new printer" and have it search for the network printer that you are sharing. If the Xp computer IS running SP2 then an additional step may be needed before searching for the network printer. In the control panel , click on administrative tools, then open up the "local security settings". Under "security options", scroll down until you see "network access: sharing and security model for local accounts" Double click on it and change it to "classic. local users authentcate as themselves" Give it a try, and let us know how you make out.

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Thanks for that Crissy14, but the XP machine can see the printer and all the other computers on the network (and can share files on them). My problem is that even when the printer seems to be installed, it wont print.

This is what has led me to thinking that the problem is due to drivers.

I will certainly double check things in the morning and re-install following your instructions, and let you all know what happens!

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Have you tried going to the printer manufacturer's website to check for XP drivers?

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Have you tried going to the printer manufacturer's website to check for XP drivers?

This is what I would suggest as well. Anytime you have a problem with what ever Windows installed manually, first thing to check is the drivers. I would get the latest from the manufacturer.

Logically too, I would see what the error that the print manager on the computer is saying about the print job. It should return some sort of error.

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Right....I have upgraded the drivers on the 98SE machine using the latest installation/ drivers set from the HP website. I installed the XP version, which seems to be working OK, and the 98SE machine still prints just as well as it did before.

I then reinstalled the printer on the XP machine through 'add printer'. Everything seemed fine, no error messages or anthing. Nice and smooth.

But it still wont print! There arent even any error messages. Nothing happens. At all.

I am ready to call it a day just yet......has anyone else got any thoughts????

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Conrad Hauser

You say you "installed" the XP printer driver, but did you have add new printer search for the network printer? An XP version of the printer driver doesnt nesessarily mean its using the shared printer. Also I dont beleive you ever said weather or not the XP machine has SP2 intalled. Cause if it does, trust me this makes a difference. It took me a lot a searching on the subject to get the shared printer to work on my husbands machine after installing SP2. We were also able to share files but my husbands machine would not print.

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Crissy14

When I say I 'installed' the XP driver, what I mean is that I downloaded the

" hp deskjet 1220c series printer driver (full printing system, WHQL certified) "

From the HP website (after folowing links from the XP reference). The file that you get is the same installation/setup thing that you would normally find on a CD with a new printer i.e. it runs though a normal set up.

This in effect reinstalled the printer on the 98SE machine, using the XP drivers (I assume)

I then went back to the XP machine and installed the printer through add printer, as described above.

I have not checked if it is SP2 (I thought since it could see the network etc it was obviously OK!)

It would seem then that I am now in the same predicament as you were in. I will now back and try out the security settings before anything else.

How frustrating can you get?

Thanks for your advice, I'll keep you informed!

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Conrad Hauser

Try this. On the computer that the shared printer is attached to, go to the printers folder and right click on the printer that you're trying to share. Choose sharing from the popup menu. On the sharing tab, make sure "sharing" is enabled. Then further down under "drivers" click on "additional drivers" and make sure "intel Windows 2000 or XP" is checked (assuming that the XP machine has an intel board) Follow any instructions given, save settings , then reboot. Next go to the XP machine, click on "add new printer" in the printer folder. Then click on " a network printer, or a printer attached to another computer" and have it search for your network shared printer. If everything goes right , the shared printer should be loacted and the proper XP drivers will be installed. As I mentioned before though, on an XP machine, you first have to run the "network setup wizard " to identify the machine as part of the the network. Be sure to turn on "file and print sharing" in the process and make sure you use the exact same workgroup name as the other computers. If you have done all this and the XP machine still cant share the printer, check to see if it has SP2 installed. I can walk you thru the additional steps if it does.

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Crissy14

I haven’t has a chance have a proper full on mess today (had real work to do!) but I have a quick look. In windows 98SE there isnt an "Additional Drivers" option like XP under the printer sharing options.

Also, the XP machine is SP2. The workgroup names are all correct, and file and print sharing is switched on for all computers.

So, Ill take you up on the offer regarding the additional SP2 steps if you are still willing!

Any more playing around though will have to wait until the middle of next week - my boss has just volunteered me to look after a bunch of visiting school kids. Cant wait.

Thanks again for all your suggestions and perseverance

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