Network Printer Question

[Color Me Badd Fan]

Here's the scenario:

I have a printer that is not network-enabled; namely, it has to be connected to another computer for it to be turned into a network printer. I have it connected to my desktop.

My desktop does not have a wi-fi adapter. I used to plug in a USB wi-fi dongle but for some reason it was wreaking havoc on my system. While I was running the internet through the dongle, I enabled the printer as a network printer. My desktop is running XP, my laptop runs Windows 7.

I signed up for new internet service through the cable company. I decided to plug my desktop directly into my router to avoid all the problems the USB dongle was causing. This 5+ year old desktop now has a new lease on life. It's running 100% better.

The problem I have now is I can't enable the printer on the network. I suspect because I don't have the wi-fi dongle on the desktop anymore. It seems like I should be able to enable this printer through my desktop via the router, but I'm not sure.

[mtnbiker]

I've had the same problem. Here are some links to a solution that works (at least, it worked for me).

http://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-7/xp...inter-sharing/ - this one takes you through step-by-step with images showing where to click.

http://www.sevenforums.com/network-s...r-sharing.html - here is the write-up:

I've posted on this before but to share Printers attached to XP computers with either X-64 or X-32 versions of Windows 7 is SIMPLE. These instructions are for the Printer attached to the XP machine (but works in reverse as well).

("Stand alone" Network printers can be done slightly similarly BTW).

assume the computers are call XPMACHINE and W7MACHINE.

1) Ensure Printer on XP machine is shared - assume it's called SHAREDPRINTER.

2) On the Network Browsing on your Windows 7 machine ensure you can "See" the Printer share.

Now on the Windows 7 machine do the following (doesn't matter if it's X-86 or x-64).

3) Control Panel==> add LOCAL (Yes LOCAL) printer. I know it's on a Network but hold your horses -- what we are actually doing is "Poodlefaking" the Windows 7 machine into thinking it's running the printer.

4) Create NEW port==>Local port

5) Portname is \\XPMACHINE\SHAREDPRINTER

6) Now Windows 7 will load a driver and you'll be able to print on the XP machine.

Simple

(For a "Network stand alone printer") at 4) chose TCPIP port
and at 5) enter the IP address.


If the printer is on the Windows 7 machine and you want to print on the XP machine then do the same instructions on the XP machine --
port name in this case will be \\W7MACHINE\SHAREDPRINTER

[Uncle Ted]

Just get a mac.

[Sizzle]

Just get a mac.

Sage advice.

[mtnbiker]

Such helpful guys. Ha ha. Still doesn't solve the problem of printing to the printer attached to the xp computer. It's just as convoluted, and maybe more so, to print from mac to xp.