XP to Windows 7 printer sharing driver issue related to 64 bit

 

This printer sharing problem was actually very similar to an older blog post.

Today, the issue was a HP printer hosted via USB on a 64 bit Windows 7 machine.  The XP computer could easily see all the shares but could not connect to it because of an INF file it requested.  

Adding the printer as an LPR with downloaded drivers, THEN switching to use the created 'local' port as \\PCNAME\printersharename is the trick.

reposted...

Both PC's will print just fine via USB. But having the networked Vista 64 laptop print to it wirelessly was a nightmare as XP 32 was NOT hosting a proper driver.  It would ask for an unknown INF file during install.

Jeff S. had this problem.

Before doing any of the below.  I added the printer as a LRP or parallel printer to the Vista 64 bit machine to get the driver in place with a 64 bit version.

Then did the following procedure to add it.

Here's a workaround:
1. Open the Devices and Printers folder.
2. Click on "Add a Printer".
3. Click "Add a local printer".
4. Select "Create a new port". The type of port should be "Local Port". Click Next.
5. Enter the remote print

share name, e.g. "\\server\printer" and press Enter.   —  Get this EXACT share name from the Host PC
6. Select the Canon Inkjet MP780 Series driver.
7. Go through and finish adding the printer.

http://mcwsd.com/Wizard-Blog/vista-64bit-connected-to-shared-32bit-xp-printer.html


Kurt Rein
Mobile Computer Wizard
619 255-1215 Office