Comments | lyllian: Windows Vista and Wireless Printers

lyllian

Windows Vista and Wireless Printers

Nov 04, 2007 00:58

Since I recieved My laptop I can Not figure out how to print using our computer printer through the wireless network

I have tried everything and nothing is working.

Does anyone here on my frends list have any idea how to do this???

Comments 11

myschevious November 4 2007, 06:49:19 UTC

Do you have a wireless dealy-bob on the printer as well as on the laptop (some sort of USB thingy, I'd assume)?

I'm not much of a computer geek anymore these days, but I'd assume that the printer still has to be connected into the wireless network itself (again, if I'm pointing out the blatantly obvious I apologize... it took me hours of frustration to figure out how to make a wireless network out of my cable modem, LOL!!).

kathygnome November 4 2007, 13:32:55 UTC

Is the printer set up for wireless? If it is, find the instructions for it and they will probably help you.

If it isn't, whatever computer it's connected to, you need to "share" it with other computers on the wireless network.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/honeycutt_july2.mspx

http://tech.yahoo.com/gd/setting-up-shared-printers-for-a-home-network/153491

lyllian November 4 2007, 18:41:41 UTC

Yea I did I did all of this. The problem seems to be that our desktop doesn't have vista, so It won't recognize the printer on my laptop.

I called Bestbuy, where I bought it, and they are going to to charge me $200!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is INSANE!

kathygnome November 4 2007, 19:01:23 UTC

I would think that it would work anyway. I also suspect if it's a vista issue the Best Buy people probably can't fix it either ;)

Can you see the other computer on your network? Are the workgroup names the same?

Have you tried typing \\computername to see if you can get their directly?

lyllian November 4 2007, 20:28:41 UTC

I did type the printernamr but not the computer name

I also tried to download the vista driver for the Desktop Printer, but it says its not compatible

I think I am going to go to best buy tomorrow to see if they can help

Thanks!!

malwae November 4 2007, 14:44:15 UTC

Can the laptop see the printer? (In the Print screen, see if the Find Now feature can detect it).

lyllian November 4 2007, 18:42:29 UTC

It can't see it, I think its an issue that vista can see the desktops XP

malwae November 5 2007, 18:16:43 UTC

So, the printer is connected directly to an XP machine? Make sure your XP machine is explictely allowing access to your Vista machine. No network should randomly allow new machines to access and use hardware unless the new hardware has joined the domain or has been specifically allowed.

If the XP machine is the domain controller, that is the machine you need to setup to allow others onto its network.

lyllian November 5 2007, 22:41:58 UTC

How do I allow the XP machine to see the vista Machine

I tried some things But I can't seem to get them work

I finally have the Laptop (vista) Recognizing the Printer But it won't print to it, even though it says it is printing a test page

Thanks!!

pallypuff November 4 2007, 15:25:33 UTC

windows vista is a pain. make sure the driver of the printer is compatible. we had a problem with my mother in law's printer and scanner. took what seemed like years to get it working.

One more shot in the dark iagoe November 4 2007, 23:04:20 UTC

Funny you should post this. On Friday I had to solve a XP->Vista printing problem.

The short answer is that Vista makes things difficult. Here are some things that other people have said worked:

1. Start out by installing the printer as a local printer. When it asks for the port name, use "\\COMPUTERNAME\PRINTERNAME" then select a driver that seems reasonable. Walkthrough here:
http://members.shaw.ca/bsanders/NetPrinterNoPP.htm

2. Activate UNIX print services:
http://17slon.com/blogs/gabr/2007/02/when-vista-doesn-print.html

3. Praying doesn't hurt.

Hope those are helpful.