Printer Issues on Home Network

Hi all. I have a little prob that I would like some help with.

I have 2 computers (both XP PRO SP2) on a network at home. Computer 1 has a USB printer copier fax all in one machine. The problem is when I try and print from computer 2 it doesnt. I have had it working but it just stopped working one day.

This is what I have done to try and fix the prob.

Spyware Scan, Virus Scan on both computers

Checked printer settings on both computers, share names are the same on both computers.

Uninstalled drivers on both comps then reinstalled. I can print a test page from both computers without a problem. But cant print from OE or IE on compter 2.

As I said when I first done the network all was well and nothing has changed.

Any Ideas

Cheers

Matt

 

i just had a thought

Would a firewall block a printer port?

I didnt check the settings on the firewall.

I will check when I get home from work.

Cheers

Matt

 

A firewall wouldn't block a printer port as such, but could block the file and print services connecting your PC to the PC hosting the printer.

 

Fire wall settings OK

Hi there

The firewall settings look ok. Nothing happens at all when I hit ctrl + p, or if i go to file then print nothing happens there either. I am a bit stumped actually

Cheers

Matt

 

Sounds like - you installed printer as a local printer on 2nd computer.

Assumptions:
Printer is hooked up to a computer on network.
Everything else on network working ok.

On computer printer is hooked up to: go to Control Panel - Printers n Faxes – right click on printer n select properties – sharing – this printer is shared. As a share name give someting unique so it's easy to recognize

On problem computer go to Printers n Faxes – does the printer show up?
Make sure it’s showing up under properties with a- //- in front of it. Installed as a network printer else it’s installed as a local printer. If not hit Add Printer n install it as network printer. You might have to search for it in Wizard.

Just giving it same name on 2nd computer doesn’t share it.

 

yes I have tried these

My settings are the same as you have pointed out. But I can print a test page with no problems

Thanks for your time

 

From last post.
You can print out a test page but can’t print from within a program after selecting it as device to print to.

I’m totally stumped.

Definitely have something weird n unique there.
Pls post back to let us know what problem was if ever resolve issue.
Would like to know what it was.

 

thanks

Yep sure............thanks for your time

 

update

I can print test pages, and from microsoft office and my accounting program. It only seems to be OE and IE that i cant print from...................very strange

 

Outlook Express is effectively a special Internet Explorer window. So it is not surprising that a problem that affects IE would also affect OE. Are you running that latest version of IE (i.e. 6)? If not this may be just the excuse to upgrade.

 

yes

Yes latest versions and all up to date

 

Problem Fixed

I did a full format and that cured the problem.

Thanks for all the help

Matt