Curious Shared Printer Problem

I have recently set up three networks, all pretty much the same kit and set up. On one of them I cannot get a shared printer to print from anywhere other than the system it is connected to.

The printer is a Dell 1600n Multifunction and installed in USB. It was installed using the proper dell CD and 'Server Installation' was used. It is set to share. I can 'install' the printer on networked units but any attempt to print has the file go into the print queue on the server but results in the very useful status of 'Error - printing'. The prints have been tried from a Win98SE machine cabled to a Vigor DSL Router/Hub and a wireless laptop using an access point to the same hub. The drivers on this laptop were 'auto' installed on connection to the network. Both prints result in the same error. All prints generated from the server are printed OK. Dell seem clueless so far. This configuration is in use in two other locations but I can't see any difference. Anyone any ideas as to what might be causing this or how I can get more diagnostics than 'Error - printing'?

Thanks

 

The server is running XP pro. The laptop XP home. The POS system is running WIN98SE. The printer does show up in my network places on the laptop. All systems have shared directories which can be seen and used fro each other.

Cheers

 

On the computer with the printer installed, open up the "printer and faxes" applet. Right click on the Dell printer. Go to sharing, and click on additional drivers. Check all the boxes for the appropriate machines. Uninstall the printers on the other computers and re-map them.

The "Server Installation" could also be a problem. What are the other options?

 

Thanks for your help. Much appreicated.

I tried starting from scratch in the way you suggested but although it seemed to help with the laptop I still couldn't get the 98SE machine to play ball. I then tried all over again but installing the printer on it's own port to the hub (rather than shoving it on a USB port) and then 'adding' it as a network printer to the same server. I then 'shared' this and hard installed the printer on the 98SE system from the install CD.

Everything is fine now.

I still don't really get what went wrong with the original set up. But as it's working - it's on to the next problem....

Thanks again for your help.

Cris