Connect to a Network Printer on a Windows XP Server in Windows Vista
183 Comments Published by Kev January 31st, 2007 in techFor better or worse, Windows Vista is out today and I’ll shortly be moving to it as the primary operating system on both my work and home PCs. Aside from compatibility glitches in certain Adobe applications, everything I need to work on Vista does (if a little shakily, in the case of Firefox).
The one issue that almost prevented me from making the move was my need to connect to the shared printer at the office.
A Samsung SCX-4216F, the SitePoint office printer requires new printer drivers to work in Vista. Unfortunately, unless Vista has the necessary driver built-in (it doesn’t in this case), the Add Printer wizard in Vista insists on retrieving the driver for a network printer from the computer to which the printer is connected. At SitePoint (and at many other offices, I imagine), that is and will remain for the foreseeable future, a Windows XP computer. Since you can’t install the Vista driver on a Windows XP computer, that means that Vista fails to connect to the network printer.
The solution is a twisty one that I wasn’t able to find in any of the official Microsoft documentation. In short, you need to fool Vista into thinking that the network printer is actually a local printer, so that you can install the driver directly on your Vista computer.
Here are the exact steps that worked for me:
- Download the Windows Vista printer driver for the SCX-4216F multifunction printer from www.samsung.com.
- Install the driver on your Windows Vista computer. During installation, you’ll be prompted to connect the printer to your computer. Choose the option to proceed with installation without connecting the printer.
- After installation completes, open the Printers applet from the Windows Vista Control Panel.
- Right-click on the new Samsung SCX-4100 Series printer and choose Properties.
- Go to the Ports tab.
- Click Add Port…, select Local Port, then click New Port…
- For the port name, enter exactly the network path and share name of your printer (e.g. \\RECEPTION\Samsung SCX-4×16 Series).
- Click OK, and double-check that this new port is selected with the checkbox next to it.
- Click OK to close the printer properties.
183 Responses to “Connect to a Network Printer on a Windows XP Server in Windows Vista”
- 1 Trackback on Feb 28th, 2007 at 6:55 am
- 2 Trackback on May 7th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
That reminds me of Window 3.11 printer driver installations for network printers, good to see over all those years we have made some progress, not.
Great tech help article!!! I have been looking for days through Microsoft Books on Vista and other resources including internet searches for this exact problem.
I have an Epson CX4600 that I could not get Vista to talk to via my home network where the printer is connected to an XP machine. I followed the same guidelines as the Samsung and it immediately resolved my problem…well almost immediate.
I had to go in and turn off “Use Off-Line” on the printer properties. I followed your instructions and everything seemed to be fine, but it would not print. I could view the properties of the printer — but the printing would not start. After turning off the “Use Off-Line” check mark, I was off and running.
I appreciate this sooooo much.
God Bless you,
FDKrebs
Also, the printer could not be directly accessed from the network properties window…only from the local printer settings under the control panel.
Thanks,
FDKrebs
I thought I’d tell other of how I got my Samsung ML-2250 network printer installed on Vista. I tried the above steps and kept getting the error message that this port is already in use.
So what worked for me was selecting “add a printer” , “local printer”, then browse to your network printer’s path from the drop down list, then select your printer driver.
Hope this helps someone.
I have the same problem with my printer in Office. We have Router like server and our printer is attachet on the router on USB port. When I use WIN XP it was no problem to install like network printer but when I install Vista all the time I have some erorr with conection. It was some message like the server is not acessable or there is no printer attachet on the server.
And after two hours I resolve the problem on the same way like in this article.
But after installing new LOCAL PORT and finishing with giving the server name and printer name a must set up like I use printer Offline than I restart the PC and after that I turn on printer back using Online and finaly a resolve the problem.
I have been struggeling with installing my shared Cannon printer, but thanks to this superb article I was finally able to print from my Vista PC.
Thanks,
Tor-André
wow so much searching and so many complicated answers and this simple one actually works.
ok its broken again the next day
Sorry to spam your blog.
I had a look at my settings and it seems it was set to offline for some reason.
all seems to be working again.
thanks for your help!
You’d think for the billions MS has they could have something like this resolved before release. Okay, I’m off my box.
The described approach for loading the drivers worked, but I’m still having a problem with both of my network printers going off-line for the Vista machine after bootup. I can’t seem to find a property setting on either printer to un-check the “Use off-line” option.
Set up is: Canon MP-730 on a Linksys print server.
Samsung 2150 on a Win 98SE machine
All network printing works great on my four Win XP machines. Vista’s got me in a twista’!(sorry)
The Doc
I loosed the whole afternoon trying to connect a new vista laptop to an old XP desktop who share the inkjet, and all what I got was several explorer hangs …
THANKS A LOT
Laurent
Will any of these solutions work if the printer is attached to a Win98 machine and there is no Vista driver available for the printer?
Thank you!!! This article was a great help.
Regards Poelman
thanks a bunch, you were great in figuring this one out; it worked with my Samsung SCX-4100
This fix worked for an HP PSC 2410 too. Thanks.
Can anyone tell me how to workout the port name in the solution above, I keep receiving an error message The network path was not found ?
Vista is driving me mad
Have found the network address but when the document goes to print, nothing happens…. any ideas ?
How do you network a printer connected to a Vista Computer with an XP laptop? The printer is HP deskjet 5550 series, and I can’t get it connected.
Thanks,
Randy
Thanks for the tip. I only lost an hour or so before I found your installation steps. Many thanks!!!!
Jake
How do you network a printer connected to a Vista Computer with an XP laptop? The printer is HP photosmart D5100 series, and I can’t get it connected.
Thanks, pierre
I have the same printer, SCX-4×16 Series and I’m trying to connect from XP Desktop to Vista Notebook. It keeps saying Network not found? Any solutions?
Thanks, please send your solution to microsoft and dell they did not have a clue.
I installed a vista driver for a simliar printer because mine printer does not have a vista driver.
It worked great. Hp say some of their drivers for vista will be available in July , this really helps
Thanks
I was Totally stuck and frustrated with trying to network my canon printer between an Xp and Vista computer. Thanks for the helpful article, it worked like a charm.
All I can say is THANK YOU!!!
Perfect – I used the share name in the port setting and it worked.
You would think MS would have handled this already. Pure cr_p
Thanks
I get pop up boxes first time i print after a reset asking me to install drivers but it still prints anyway.
I cant believe canon (in my case) or microsoft havnt fixed this.
I wont be buying a canon printer again… not much choice for operating systems.
I have a similar issue. My new computer runs Vista Home Premium. The printer is a Ricoh Aficio 1013F and it is connected to the network by a Netgear PS101 mini print server. The mini print server is a gadget that attaches to the parallel port on the printer and presents a RJ45 ethernet jack for connection to the network. It works perfectly with all of the other computers on the network.
So this is what happens. I install the printer by a procedure similar to that above, and all is fine. Then, upon booting up the next day, the printer is “offline” and will not go online. I can fool around and change ports (i.e. switch between the name and the IP address as in “//RICOH/P1″ versus “192.168.0.101″) and it will then print, but it prints gibberish.
Great Job! Finally works on my Lexmark E232.
“had to go in and turn off “Use Off-Line” on the printer properties” Thanks Franklin as this was required for mine to work.
Hey everyone … where do you guys find the “use off-line” option?
I have an HP LaserJet 6L and am having the same problems … it’s connected to an XP machine and shared as HPLaserJ … I’ve configured my port as \\dellpc\HPLaserJ and still nothing – not even a test page … any ideas would be appreciated!
Thanks a Million! Works like a champ!!
I’m having the same problem with a HP Officejet V45. I have two XP PC’s with the printer attached to one. I can see the printer from my new VISTA laptop. When I send a test page it goes into the print queue then dissapears.
I tried to add a port to the locally installed HPV45 but received an ‘access denied’ message when trying to save it. Any suggestions?
This solution worked for me with HP Vista Ultimate Laptop to connect to XP Pro Desktop with a Canon S820.
Great solution and saved me hours of frustration. Just keep empaphising that you are Canadian and you’ll do all right over here.
Thanks
Thank goodness for this article. I’ve spent days on this. I used this method and then had to select properties – Print Processor – WinPrint (versus BJ Print Processor3) to get my Canon i560s to print. The Canon is installed on the XP desktop and my Vista laptop is connected to this two computer home network via a router. I just printed a page from my Vista system through the home network!
First I would like to let everyone know that I am a novice with computer. However I do know a little about trying to get my network up and running.
But first I need to as WHAT THE HELL is and where do you find the NETWORK PATH, and NAME???
I am have as follows: New Toshiba Laptop with Windows Vista home premium installed>a old Gateway PC Desktop with Window XP>a Lexmark 8300 series all in one Printer>a Linksys wireless router>cable modem.
The Problem: I could not connect to my XP to share files or printer with the Vista Laptop. I tried all sorts of things…..changed Work-group names to same, reconfigured IP address…downloaded Both Windows XP driver for printer on XP machine…and the Vista driver from the Lexmark.com site.
Now heres what happen I downloaded a little program known as Network Magic, on both machines. This got up my network working together to be able to share files, but not the printer.
I Beg you Please help…All I want is to make my printer work with my Vista laptop…and I need someone to walk me thru it step by step in plain English.
The above sound good. But im stuck on stupid here….lol….What is a network path, and where do I find this name…
Thank you in advance
Excellent advice, worked on the first try. Thank you.
THANK YOU !!!
my i865 from Canon doesn’t even have a Vista driver, but i installed the XP version on the Vista-PC and created the port as you described.
Works like a charm !!
Another success! Why did MS make printer sharing so difficult between XP & Vista? Thanks
Thanks. I just upgraded to Windows Vista Business and couldn’t print to the network printer. This was very helpful!
Hello!
The only question I have is how do you know what to name the port? My printer name is “Printer” but how do I find the network path?
Your help would be greatly appreciated!
thanks!
Bill G
For the port name, enter exactly the network path and share name of your printer (e.g. \\RECEPTION\Samsung SCX-4×16 Series).
Hi Bill,
The network path is \\MACHINENAME\SHARENAME, where MACHINENAME is the network name of the computer to which the printer is connected, and SHARENAME is the network share name of the printer (you can find this on the Sharing tab of the printer’s properties on the computer to which it is connected).
Thanks Kev, I appreciate the repsonse. I also have been successful with XP desktop and 2 Lap tops, but the VISTA sharing was not something I had attempted.
So, using your example above, the path would look like this for me?
\\Mshome\printer
Obvioulsy I did not get fancy with names. I kept the default for the Network name (MSHOME) and named my printer – “PRINTER”.
Would that be correct….?? Thanks again .. I could see by lot’s of blogs, that the vista – XP sharing was difficult. I am so happy I found this site.
Thanks again!!!
BILL G
Hi Again, Re-reading my entry I think the MSHOME is my network “group name”. I would want the PC within the network to which the printer is connected.
That would be something like \\BILLSDESKTOPPC\Printer
Bill G.
Holy s–t it worked. Great advice. Now able to print from a VIsta laptop to networked Canon MP500 on an XP machine.
Shouldn’t have to go through all this mess in the first place though. Aside from eye candy so far no benefit from Vista over XP. Slower & many compatibility problems. Wish I had stayed with XP.
I want to give a big word of appreciation for your help. I have a PSC HP 1210 installed in a Home XP server network and follow your sugestion, except that I used the HP PSC driver alrady installed in Windows Vista. It worked perfectlly! Thank you very much! i spent a good amount of time loking for this tip. Windows Vista help on Microsoft TechNet was helpless
Thanks for the help. Rob Brand, The Netherlands
Well, I used the tip, and it suddenly saw the printer and worked, But the next day it shows up as offline, and I couldn’t get it to work. so, I deleted it. now I can’t reinstall it…
Bummer
Update
This is Robb again, the fellow who deleted the printer and then could not reinstall it. I manage to reinstall it. What I had to do was to DELETE THE PORT that pointed to the netgear PS 101. I deleted these, and then I was able to reinstall. Now, it may all disappear again, but I know now to try some of the other tricks mentioned herein. I don’t recommend that you just delete the printer. If you do, remember to delete the ports. You may have to go into another printer’s configuration.
The way I did it was to break down and connect a USB cable from my HP printer to my new Vista laptop. It detected everything like a whiz. By the way, I left the netgear unit connected to the old LP input on the HP, and it didn’t miss a beat. If I continue to have problems, I may just give up on the wireless route to the PS 101 until I get a newer printer server.
Man, it just amazes me that Vista/longhorn, after two years of delays, still is so incompatable with well-established, name-brand hardware. What on earth were the millionares at Microsoft working on.
I wonder if I shouldn’t have just spend another $700 and bought a mac laptop.
Yet another posting.
Well, the netgear PS 101 and it’s HP 932C are “offline.” I’m wondering how I can just force the thing to go out to the network and wake this connection up!
This is a minor miracle. Microsoft should pay you a million.
I have been struggling for weeks trying to connect a Vista laptop to an Epson Stylus Photo R800 connected to a XP PC.
My sincere thanks.
THANKS, Thanks, THANKS!!!!!!!!
Thank you very much..I struggled a little bit trying to figure out what the “Network path” and “Sharename” was..but after a little bit of investigating and reading the rest of the threads…it work finally…I had the laptop with Vista for 3 months now and I just finally got it to work…Thank you everybody and I will forward this to all my friends that has Vista..Once again..thanks..you guys rock!!!
thank-u.. very good..
Muito bom, me ajudou a resolver meu problema.
eu tinha prolema na instalação da impressora SCX-4100.
I continue to have the ‘offline’ problem with an new Vista Home Premium system and an HP LaserJet 5MP. I can define the printer using the subject proc but sometime later the printer goes offline and when I try to uncheck the property for use offline, I get a ‘command error’ in the property applet. I must delete the printer and redefine a new one to get any printing done from the Vista system.
I have had several lengthly chat and phone conversations regarding this ‘bug’ in the driver. HP’s final, recommended solution: “Buy a new compatible printer!”
Consider the business ethics of a company that uses a known ‘bug’ as a marketing strategy to sell new hardware to thousands of their loyal customers who have servicable hardware except for the identified driver problem. Shame on HP!
So how to we contact J.D. Powers about HP’s ‘womderful’ support rating?
I’ve been struggling getting a print server to work on Vista and finally found the solution as described above by treating it as a local printer. This works until Vista reboots and then the printers go off-line. They can only be brought back on-line by delete and reinstall. I have SNMP disabled and and bi-directional is greyed out. If I try to configure a port, I get the error “An error occurred during port configuration. This operation is not supported.” I tried to stay away from Vista knowing about these problems, but it is very difficult to find XP laptops any more. XP didn’t work until SP2 came out. When is Vista scheduled to work?
Thanks You save my day
Absolutely B****y marvellous. After 2 days of messing about got there with an HP Printer, Vista Laptop and XP server. I thought I had an idea of networking. How wrong I was. How did you ever work this out?
I have Lexmark z25, how do i get it to work on my vista windows, dosen’t have a clue about it, can you help me please, thanks from jackie
I had no real problem with connecting to a pre xp shared resource I just googled the error lo and behold solution was out there. My problem is if the “port” “//SERVER/printername” is not “online” when the Vista station boots then the only way to reconnect the resource is by deleting and reinstalling.
May have to break down and get a “print server”
I have 3 xp pro PC’s. Printer is connected to one of machines that is hooked up with a wireless DSL. Life was good internet, printing, file sharing. Now I replaced the PC that is connected to the printer & DSL router with Vista premium. The other two XP pro pc’s can go on to Internet, can see the Network but can’t see the printer.Looks like a protocol issue? I see the network on both the XP pro but nothing beyond that. Tried the local port thing as you said but it says network path not found. Any ideas appreciated.
as i studied windows vista features.I dont find any special features of windows vista that make me impress to move from xp to windows vista.It may possible i miss something.can u guide me any new thing about windows vista features.
Thank you !
I trying for a while to connect to my printer share without success “asked me to install the driver which was already bundled with vista and freeze afterwhile”
This is brillant. Works great
Just wanted to record my thanks for this thread.
The recommended action at the top of the thread worked first time.
PERFECT!!!
Thank you!!!
I’ve been circling with this problem for a while now and it’s a good thing i stumbled on this link on my google search. This is great! thanks!
I am shocked. I searched postings and the only thing I could find was to just submit and buy network magic. This worked immediately, but I did have to uncheck the use offline also.
Thanks,
Jim
I have a Samsung SCX-4200 Connected to my XP machine and I spent weeks trying to share it with my new Vista computer.
Your recomendation worked very well !
Thanks for sharing your tip.
Thanks for this article. I searched books and the internet for several days because I could not get my new Vista computer to print to a shared HP laserjet 1020 printer on my XP computer. It worked fine with my old XP laptop. But my new Vista laptop would not print to the printer. This solution worked. I too found that I had to uncheck the offline item on the popup menu for the printer. But everythings works fine after offline is unchecked. Thanks.
Stew
I have been trying for months to get the printer attached to a desktop to work. I could get a different printer on the network to work which did not need a driver upgrade. I had added the network address and printer name for the desktop as the port. Today I went to the network setting where it showed all the computers on the network. I highlighted the computer I wanted to add the printer to. Then clicked add printer. The Wizard came up asking me whether I wanted local or network. This time I picked local. When it came time to pick the port the port was on the list already so I picked that and then told the Wizard where to find the driver. Of course since the Vista Driver was already installed it used that one. The print test page printed and I turned the laptop with Vista off and back on and it printed a document. *Sigh* the other printer is now listed as being offline even though it is not and will print from other computers. Unfortunately the Use Printer Offline option can’t be unchecked as it is grayed out. At least I can get one printer to work with the Vista laptop and the one that the person wanted to print from.
Thanks for posting this information here. Although I had tried it before this time it worked. Just remember when adding a printer to pick local and not the other option. Also make sure that sharing is enabled on the host computer.
Au secours please.
I’m getting desesperate because I cannot install my hp laserjet 1320 under Vista. It’s seems it install a sort of pilote, hp laserjet 1320 (DOT4), then I cannot find it in the printer manager window. Where is that printer gone???
Please help me I’ve spent one full day trying to find an answer.
Take care, have a good day
THANK YOU THANK YOU! When Vista came out, I resisted upgrading for so long since my home network was optimally set up. I got a new laptop at work and I had no choice but to use it and it came with Vista. I took it home and could NOT find a way to use my Epson R200 via my home network. The printer is connected my desktop XP machine…
Well, like others on this post, I searched and searched for a solution (via the Epson site and Microsoft sites), and YOUR INSTRUCTIONS WORKED!!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!! You saved me from getting a new printer.
Farrell
Los Angeles, CA
My computer in vista won’t print to network printer which have xp operation system. I have already make sure that printer is online and shared, security has been checked too but it still won’t. My printer is HP Laser jet 1015. By the way another computer in xp don’t have any problem to connect with this printer.
Thanks
I followed the steps from the top, I cant find the offline checkbox?? :T
I have been trying off and on since March 2007 to get my daughter’s new Vista laptop to connect to an HP Officejet K80 being shared from an XP desktop.
Finally, success. Your instructions were right-on.
Entering the network host name and printer share name for the port name as you describe in step 7 was the key. NOT very intuitive of Microsoft.
It works
THank you so much
Like many others I was stuck connecting to an XP home machine over a wireless link trying to print from a 64bit vista. Now woks thanks.
Thanks so much. I tried every way but sideways to get my network printer working with no results until I found your solution.
The only thing I had to do differently was plug the printer into my Vista laptop first to get Vista to install the printer drivers properly. Once that was done, I just hooked the printer back up to the network server and changed my port like you suggested and bam! it works like a champ now.
Thank you.
My Lexmark Z25 doesn’t want to work with Vista. Lexmark’s website did NOT have a driver for this printer on Vista. I’ve tried numerous other places as well, with no solid answers. Does anyone know for sure? I don’t really want to buy a new printer.
thanks for the help. I was just about to give up on attempting to get windows vista to recognize my printer on my xp computer, until I found this article. My problem was solved in about 5 minutes. Again thanks for the free advise.
That was a great fix!!! Before everything was taking forever to print when I sent print jobs from my vista laptop to my xp desktop. Now it is just as fast as when when my laptop was on xp. Thanks!!!
Do these directions apply for the Lexmark Z25? I’m have the same problem as Jackie. I recently purchased a new laptop with Vista for college and my Lexmark Z25 is not compatible. =(
Help!
thankyou, spent a day on this , then came across your post. couldn’t skip the pluging in of printer on my hp 7762 install so i moved printer to vista pc for the install then moved it back to xp print server after install . followed your instructions and bingo. Thanks.
Thanks a lot, from a fellow Canadian (living in New York). I knew it had something to do with installing the Vista driver locally, but I wasn’t sure on out to get it to look on the network for the printer instead of the USB bus.
I can’t get my Vista machine to see my XP machine when I choose view workgroup computers. If I look at a full map of the wireless router on the |Vista machine it shows the XP kind of dangling out there. The router is connected to the XP machine. I need these two to talk so that I can print to the X|P from the Vista. Can anyone help me?
Yep. Installing the printer locally on the vista machine worked wonderfully. Thank you, as I had been pulling my hair out for awhile on this ……
Worked for me too! My printer was connected to Win2000. I had to change the share name so that it didn’t have any spaces.
I have printer CANON Multi PASS L60. Is there a driver for Windows VISTA available? Thanks!
Thank you!!!!!!!
Your fix worked wonders. We played around with this for a long time…and you saved us many hours and much wailing and knashing of teeth.
Thanks again!
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Your advice about tricking Vista into thinking a networked printer is a local one is spot on. I just bought a Toshiba Satellite notebook with Vista pre-installed, and I was frustrated after an hour of troubleshooting why Vista could see my Canon MP500 on the XP desktop, but not install it. I followed your advice of creating a new port with \\DESKTOP\MP500 as the port and everything immediately worked. I thank you for sharing this information with legions of frustrated new Vista operators!
Wow! That worked for me too.
I had issues connecting to my SCX-4200 hosting on my XP machine from my Vista laptop. Could not get the drivers!
Thanks for sharing this.
LET’S FACE IT FOLKS, VISTA IS A PIECE OF S–T. UNTIL A SERVICE PACK OR NEW OS COMES OUT WE’RE STUCK. REMINDS ME OF WINDOWS ME. CALLED MS ABOUT PRINTER/NETWORKING PROB AND THEY CUD CARE LESS.
Cool… this works for my Canon LBP 3200.
I called up Canon Service center but the personnel asked me to off my firewall.
I’m so lucky to i get to read up your article it helps a lot. Now i can connect my printer in my office.
I could print just fine on my Samsung ML-2010 attached to XP Pro from my Vista laptop over wireless a few months ago. I moved to a new location, set everything up, and I could no longer print from the Vista laptop.
After uninstalling the printer from the laptop and reinstalling it with the method above, I can now print again! I used this method to connect an HP OfficeJet T45 attached to an XP Home desktop on the network to my laptop as well without any troubles. Thanks!
I bought a laptop for my daughter – about two weeks ago – with Windows Vista Home edition. It is working fine generally.
I set this laptop up on our home (Netgear wireless router) network – I gave the laptop a ‘name’, and changed the Windows Workgroup to the same as the other two computers on our home network, set up the WEP key – and it connected okay, can access the Internet and can see and be seen on our home network.
One of the other two computers (still running Windows ME) has an Epson 760 printer attached, and I have never had any problems connecting to this or printing on it – from my other laptop (running Windows XP) over this network.
In order to add a connection to a network printer (the Epson 760 mentioned above) on to the Vista laptop, I have found that it is not possible to add this directly as a network printer (gives an error message). However (after consulting an on-line forum) I have found that it is possible to add it as a local printer, and then direct Vista to use the network port for the printer on the other computer (e.g. using format of \\network-name\device-name ).
Well this works okay – initially. The printer is added – shows on-line – and I can print to it over our network.
However – here is the problem. If I turn the Vista laptop off, when I start it again later the network printer appears off-line, even though the Vista laptop is still properly connected to the network (can see and be seen, and can access the Internet). All attempts to turn the printer back on-line fail (either directly or as administrator – using UAC) – showing an error.
I have checked various on-line forums (including this one) and many people using Vista computers seem to be suffering this problem – on a range of different printers.
I have tried various things –
1. I updated my Windows ME PC to use NTLM2 – but this doesn’t seem to have any effect.
2. I also responded to a Microsoft web page article that someone referred me to (934455 – A “Web Services on Devices”-based printer appears as Offline after you wake a Windows Vista-based computer from sleep). Microsoft sent me a hotfix patch – which I have installed, but this has not had any effect in helping resolve this problem.
The only (rather crazy) ‘solution’ that I (and clearly others) have found to work is to delete the printer and immediately re-install it – whereupon it starts working again immediately. This can’t be right – there must be a better way.
Perhaps someone on this forum has some other suggestions? (or maybe Microsoft could just fix this?)
Howard – Sheffield UK
I fought with two new Dell’s trying to attach Vista to a Konica printer for half the day. Until i found your post. I tried it and it worked perfect. Thank you!
When I enter my computer name \ shared printer name for new port I get network path was not found. Also when I click on network on my Vista laptop client machine it doesn’t seem to have a clue about what’s on its network. Do you have any troubleshooting tools to help me figure out why my laptop does not recognize my network and/or the host machine. Both machines are working fine on wireless Linksys router with Internet connection. I use two printers regularly on my host and have installed drivers and tested the Vista on a direct connection. Thank you.
Thank you, thank you a million times, thank you!!!
Thanks very much! Works great! I lost a day on this until I realized i had to make sure I had the right printer sharing name, rather than the actual printer name. Ah…knew it had to be my error somewhere. I found the sharing name under “sharing” in the printer properties tab.
thanks, thanks, thanks….
Why couldn’t HP have posted this?
Robin
Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you……..
Thank you very much.
I am having this same problem…..with a twist …I can’t print from my laptopn (VISTA), which is connected by wireless network to my VISTA-equipped desktop (connected to hp psc 1300 series printer). Everyone else seems to be having problems when the printer is attached to an XP machine. When I try to add printer through local port….get “network path can’t be found” error message. I am quite ready to throw my laptop, desktop and printer out the window!
Should I be trying to download VISTA driver for my printer through HP website?
i couldnot work on canon 1210 printer.
it connceted and print goes but no printing.
Thanks, couldn’t figure out why our new Vista machine wouldn’t print to an network HP Laserjet 5si which it recognized, installed as a local port with a network address and it works beautifully!
Really appreciate the tip.
Cali
Wow. Thank you
You have more steps than needed. To make my HP970 on my XP server print from my Vista lap top.
1.On the Vista lap top click on Ad a printer
2.Click on ad a local printer
3.Select “Create a new port” leave on local port and click on next.
4.”Enter a port name” pops up,type in the server name followed by the shared printer name, example:
\\SERVER\HP970CSE
5.Choose your printer from the list.
6.Name your printer, print a test page and click on finish!
Amazing, it works!! HP told me I had to buy a new printer and Microsoft was clueless!!
How happy I am to prove them wrong and saved money to boot!!
Hi there could you help me please.
I am also stuck on stupid. I know nothing…I cannot get my Lexmark X75 to print.
I just got my new computer with Vista up and running Saturday.
My printer ran fine with my windowsME.
I don’t understand drivers and ports…please can you spell it out exactly what I need to do.
wrote to Lexmark,but no contact from them.
Thanks so much! Claudette Brozzo ..housewife,(with what she thought was an above average itelleigence), from Indiana!!
thanks for this forum. finally i can resolve my problem.
hi,
i am having hp printer 1010 installed ,configured as shared printer on Win Xp sp2 desktop,
i conbfigured to access from xp home laptop it is connecting and able to get print ,but every time i restart or logoff the laptop it is not,Again if i reconfigure it will work.
how can get perminent connection to the printer even i if restart or logoff the laptop?
please help me on it .ASAP.
Thank you
Thanks!!!!!!!
I followed all of the instructions for my HP Photosmart 7350 but keep getting network path not found. I’m going to kill someone!!!! HELP!!
I have an HP3180, and I had to connect my printer to my laptop to allow the installation to complete-then I disconnected it and reconnected to my XP machine. Then, I had to turn off my firewall on my XP machine and followed the directions. And it worked! Thanks.
WOW! This worked! After much wasted time trying to figure it out this did the trick.
My setup: Canon MP390 on a Vista 64 bit box as the print server and XP 32 bit machines on the network – pointing the 32 bit boxes to the print server with the above method worked like a charm.
Great fix! Can’t thank you enough for taking the time to share.
Thanks a lot. Your solution worked just fine for me after spending hours trying out other solution.
This worked for my Canon PIXMA ip4000 printer located on an XP system accessed via a VISTA laptop on the network. Choosing Windows update for the source of the driver, there was no iP4000 choice … in a leap of faith, I chose the iP4200 driver and it worked … at least for basic printing … don’t know yet about all the bells and whistles.
After pulling out much of my hair (the solutions posted on this forum did not work for me), I purchased/downloaded Network Magic and installed on my desktop and laptop and I can now print from my Vista-equipped, networked laptop as well as the desktop.
Just wanted to say that this solution worked perfectly for me. I just installed Vista on my main PC, and my printer (Epson Stylus CS7400) is attached to a Windows XP machine. It’s working great now, thank you so much!
YES! After a frustrating hour or so trying to figure out how to get my new Vista laptop to connect to the shared printer on my XP home network, I finally found this tutorial… and it worked PERFECTLY. I can’t believe how easy it was, but I’d never have figured it out on my own. I know this post was written over a year ago now, but still, THANK YOU for writing it.
Worked with my Samsung ML-4500
… now why didn’t i think of that LOL
Amazing! You have saved MANY of us from a life of degradation and doom! Thanks!
Sir,
I have a similar probem i.e. a Canon LBP 810 Printer attached to an XP machine cannot be accesed from a Laptop on Windows Vista Home Premium. I tried your instructions but I received errror at the poit of writing the path to the printer:” \\com2\canolbp ” Error reported that the specified path not accessible
I enabled:
1. Network Descovery,
2. FileSharing
3. Printer Sharing
succesfully.
I equally disabled Password Protected Sharing successfully.
I turn off Windows Firewall
But I noticed that Norton Protection Center is ative though not uptodate.
What could have made it impossible to see other computer that are on XP from the VIsta?
I can only see systems that are on Vista. How do make the Vista visible to Xp and vice versa.
Thanks
Sir,
I have a similar probem i.e. a Canon LBP 810 Printer attached to an XP machine cannot be accesed from a Laptop on Windows Vista Home Premium. I tried your instructions but I received errror at the poit of writing the path to the printer:” \\com2\canolbp ” Error reported that the specified path not accessible
All the system in the network were in the same work group. Then I enabled:
1. Network Descovery,
2. FileSharing
3. Printer Sharing
succesfully.
I equally disabled Password Protected Sharing successfully.
I turn off Windows Firewall
But I noticed that Norton Protection Center is ative though not uptodate.
What could have made it impossible to see other computer that are on XP from the VIsta?
I can only see systems that are on Vista. How do make the Vista visible to Xp and vice versa.
Thanks
Hi – Just wanted to say thank you very much!!!! This was exactly what I needed. I have been trying for hours to get my new laptop (Vista) to discover my HP 2000c on my other laptop with Windows XP and it could not find it. I tried entering the comptuer name and IP address. Then I tried your method and it worked! Thanks a million.
This WORKS!!!
Thanks!!!
Had exactly this problem, Googled for advice, found this post and now my XP connected printer works like a champ from the new Vista system over the network. Thank you very much.
Thank you so much for this extremely helpful advice. I have been fighting this issue for almost a year now. You are a bonafide genius. Thank you again for your help.
Thank you. A frustrating problem solved! How about Windows XP to a printer served by Vista?
i want install hp laserjet 1320n printer in network. i have 10 computers in my lacation but there is windows xp in all computers.
Hey, thanks for the good job. It has been weeks of tries before I bumped into your nice post. And it WORKED !!! So, a big thankyou from faraway Italy !!!
Ciao
help, I am trying to get my lexmark z25 connected to computer, telling me that there are compatability issues with vista???
Hi friends. After reading the so many successful histories about setting up printers under vista I must put this online in order to try to solve my problem. I have read a lot of blogs, and many solutions to my problem but none of them have been ok for me. Here is my problem:
I have a samsung ml-1710 printer, connected to the network through a network print server (ML1710PRINTSERVER). None of the computers or laptops (I have very little knowledge of technical stuff so forgive me if I’m not providing accurate names or info) is connected directly to the printer. When I had the XP system what I had to do is to install the printer as local, and then to install the software for print server. In that way I can print easily.
The notes you have here do not mention the case when you have a print server. Can somebody with many patience try to help me to solve this thing…PLEASE….I have 2 months dealing with it!!! PLEASE!
Rodrigo Briceño
I have just purchased my second network printer and the same problem persists. I have one telephone line and it splits through a filter/splitter to my computer room. There it splits again into two, one line into a cordless phone and the other into my BB modem/router. Well my new printer is the Brother MFC885CW (previous one 3820CN) with its own cordless phone (reason I bought it to eliminate a separate cordless phone). I have disconnected my old cordless and as soon as I plug its phone line into the new printer “LINE IN” I lose my BB connection (ADSL light goes out) which is on the other line. When I plug the modem and printer in series on the same line the same result, swap them around same again. I would have though that the fax or phone in the printer would act the same as the cordless phone and work. Not so, confused?
So glad I found this! Thank you very much for finding an easy fix. Very clever and worked with an HP 2600n. Printing from my Vista Home Premium PC to the printer hooked up on Windows XP. Thanks again.
Just got a vista laptop and could not get it to print via XP network to a Canon MP360….read your article and did what you said, apart from would the install would not move screens until I actually connected the printer (Now disconnected and connected back to XP network) and VOILA! Yes it works, you are without doubt a genius and have saved many people lots of grief Thank you kindly!
Thank you; good solution. Works with HP PSC 2179 where Microsoft research was useless once again.
Thanks. I spent four loooong hours trying to get this accomplished using “official” channels. After finding this on the Internet, it took me five minutes to get my first successful test print.
I first tried HP online help for my new HP notebook, and after a number of fruitless experiments, I tried their online help for my HP printers. Then, I started wading through voice menus on the phone. I went through eight separate HELP[less] desk sessions, the end result being “Try to find a knowledgeable friend to help.” I AM THE “KNOWLEDGEABLE FRIEND”, having been an engineer in the computer industry for 38 years. My work is flying in the Space Shuttle, for Pete’s sake!
What an arcane method to hook up… but it works! There’s nothing quite like success.
Thanks again,
This is brilliant. I’ve been trying to print from my vista system to my deskjet 5550 which is connected to a network pc running xp and it couldn’t get it to work. This solved the problem.
Thanks
rts
Thank you so much. I would have never thought to manipulate the ports to point to my XP machine. amazing!!!!!
Thank you so much for this post! Using this procedure I was able to connect to my Brother HL-2040 attached to an XP computer from a Vista laptop. I’ve been strugling for days trying to connect to the printer without success and finally found this post. My sincere thanks again for sharing this with public!
P.S. Some Windows bashing and Linux propaganda: I did not have any problem connecting to the same printer from the same dual-boot laptop while running Ubuntu 8.04.
I tried your method. Adding the new port with the server name works fine, but when I print; my printer doesn’t print and the printer shows 0 prints in queue. What is the error?
Thanks
I, too, thank you for this solution! All other methods failed to “connect” my Canon multifunction MP390 to my Vista laptop on my XP network server.
Wish I’d seen this before repeatedly banging my head against the floor! We have a MS wireless network with an XP computer hooked up via USB to an HP 2420. I tried everything I could think of to get the new Vista computer to recognize the HP — without success. I finally called HP support and encountered a knowledgeable tech person. Since I had already downloaded the Vista printer driver for our LaserJet 2420, he suggested I hook up my new Dell Vista notebook directly to the USB network printer to get the computer to recognize the printer. I then pretty much followed the above solution, created a new port, and we are up and running. Or at least printing…
I add my name to the long list of those saying thank you! We have a home network that had 2 machines running Windows XP. My husband bought a new machine running Windows Vista. He paid someone $100 to fix several issues he was having, but they were not able to connect to our HP LaserJet 1012 and suggested it was too old to work with Vista. But they also suggested trying connecting it directly to his machine instead of my machine running XP. We downloaded the correct driver for Vista from HP’s website and connected the printer directly. That worked for his machine, but then we had the same problem with my machine not being able to connect to the printer. Then I found your blog and your solution worked perfectly!! Thanks for sharing.
I want to add my thanks as well, and a solution to an additional problem I encountered.
When I tried to add my XP-shared printer to Vista, I got the arcane message “Not enough server storage is available to process this command” after entering the \\server\printer name.
Turns out I had to edit the registry on the XP machine that was serving the printer. It was missing the IRPStackSize parameter in [\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\lanmanserver\parameters]. I had to add that key (careful, it’s case-sensitive) as a d-word value of 0×20, and restart the server service on the XP box. Then I was able to connect my HP G85 printer from Vista, using the above-described instructions.
Isn’t that simple and obvious?
Your web page does not correctly work in safari browser
WOW!!!! worked on this problem for days!!!! it worked GREAT for my ML-1710 and Photosmart 7760!! Thanks for a very simple solution!!!!
Tim
AWESOME !!! Thanks for your solution. Works on my SCX-4300!!
Navid
Pls help me, i need the solution
i am using wireless network in my office area, i bought a new desktop with xp professionl sp2 also i connected the wireless network with wireless pci adaptor, big problem is that i cant connect with the printer wich is already connected to the wireless network.
Pls scrap all solutions to my mail id bala_rish@yahoo.co.in
Thanks so much. It was driving me crazy.
Hi,
On step 2. when installing the Samsung driver it asks if I want “Typical installation for a local printer” or “Typical installation for a network printer”.
Could you please point out exactly which one I should use?
Thank you thank you thank you. I’ve been struggling with printing to my home printer through our network. The HP 3900 series does not have a Vista 64 driver, but with your bit about adding a local port with the definition of the computer server made it all happen. Here’s what I did, if anyone has the same problem with the HP 3900 series printer and Vista 64 bit.
1. Plug the USB into your Vista machine so it can use the built in printer driver.
2. Make sure the printer is networked, and plug it back into the server computer.
3. After it has been installed, go to that printer properties. Add a new local port and define that local port with the server name and printer name (ie: \\PLAYROOM\Printer2)
4. Now make sure that port is checked. You’re good to go.
Thanks again.
Hi. And Bye bye.
Finally! Installed Canon MP390 on Vista64.
Thank you!
Oh, and Vista sucks!
Thank you so much ! This works perfectly.
You were a life-saver…thank you and God bless…
Just remember that now you are installing a Local printer and not a Network printer
OMG You are awesome. Thank you so much, I wanted to throw my Vista computer into the trash I’ve been working on this since yesterday! SO COOL it worked instantly.
looking for the website to download hp photosmart 776 printer
can anyone help me please
It works really well on Xerox 186 Model
Thanks much !!!
Leo
Can someone pleae help. I got all the way down to number 7, and its seems from all the other posting we are having the same issues.
I used my computer name, the portname, everything what am I doing wrong. I have Vista on one computer and Windows xp on another…Thanks for any help
For the port name, enter exactly the network path and share name of your printer (e.g. \\RECEPTION\Samsung SCX-4×16 Series).
You guys are great – We have been able to solve all printer problems
Thank you very much!
It’s working OK with SCX-4200 model, except that after number 6, all I have to do is check that port, because it was already there. That’s on Vista Business and MFP is on XP.
Gabriel
I followed this and it seems to work up until I change the port. I have the printer installed on my laptop and plugged in to the desktop. I type in the \\server\printer (which I have checked several times on the desktop and it is correct) but it is saying the port is not found. In all the network pages on the laptop and desktop it doesn’t seem like the two computers can see eachother, as they never show up on the other. On my laptop another laptop in my network shows up, but on the desktop neither laptop shows up. It’s like the desktop isn’t actually on the network when it is connected just like the laptops (wirelessly). Any help? Thanks.
LlSA….I am at the same point as you. Everything works up until I change the port; and it continues to say “cant locate the port” I see no additional responses have been posted.
Thanks for the insight, solution worked as advertised sharing HP K4300 from WinXP to Vista. Disturbing thing was that previous to the above solution, Vista machine saw the printer, but when trying to install it, refused due to lack of authority. Go figure, thanks again.
Works for me! HP deskjet 3915, Vista 64-bit. It’s been 2 1/2 years since you posted your solution, and it is still saving people. Don’t know how you ever came up with this! Thank you!
Ever since i got my new laptop with windows Vista I was unable to get my hp dj 5550 printer to print over my network.
Thanks to his method of installing the printer as a local printer and adding in a port directed to the networked printer it works like its suppose to.
A for this post, I wont forget this fix next time it comes up.
Thanks a Billion!!
Canon S900 + Windows 7 and windows XP print server of course, and your solution is WORK!
Thanks for you
Because I know how by experience how much time and frustation it sometimes costs to get equipment working, I am very grateful for the solution you offered to get my Canon i865 (connected to an XP machine) working via wireless connection from my Toshiba m700 with Windows 7 operating system.
Many thanks you shared this solution ! Peter
Hey!!! after 2 days of figuring out how to download 64 bit driver into my 32 bit xp..I failed…Now,this works for a windows 7 machine very well…The printer is HP 3015 All in one.My server is xp and client is windows 7.
Your solution also works with Win7 accessing a printer on networked XP machine.
Took me 4 hours to find your blog.
Thank you heaps!
Worked it saved a marriage. I been dealing with this for 6 months.. trying to make two new vista computers work on network with XP computer where printer its. the key for me was the net work name i made it harder then need be
\\mycomputernamewheretheprinterisattached\printernamethatislocatedinthesharingoftheprinter
that simple two things listed in name .. then port worked…. i also changed my sharing name so it was one word… as before i had HP 812c i changed to HP812c … not sure if that helped but it worked…
What about a slightly different situation, a 64-bit Vista host and a 32-bit Vista client? The 64-bit driver will not install on the 32-bit machine.
I’ve been trying to connect to my HP laserjet 1020 from a Vista Laptop for almost a year, until I found this. It works like a charm.
Many thanks for this!!
Herc
You rock Dude! Set up a Canon i9900 printer, on my new Dell laptop, that is connected to my XP Pro box. Had to start a trial subscription at Expert’s Exchange to get an answer with a link to this article. Gat to find it!!!
I should say that the new laptop has Windows 7.
Because of a massive virus infiltration on my Vista 64 bit laptop, I had to reinstall the Vista program.
Then I lost everything I had done before. Some of it I had backed up on an external hard drive, but I could not connect my laptop to the printer which is connected directly to a desk top running XP.
I tried a lot of things, but until I came across your solution, nothing worked. Finally I was able to install on my laptop the required Vista driver and then following your instrucions, I was able to connect to the printer and print directly from my laptop and the desktop computers.
Thank you so much. It has been a very frustrating few weeks, trying to reinstall everything.
Many blessings to you!
Pat.
hi i got a problem can u help me this s my problem i am conneceted on a network like wise the printer but all the system are xp and vista and the can all print however my system cannot the printer is connected to a computer which runs windows 2000 server which is then connected to the network how can i add my xp to access the printer
I am from Brazil, very good solution.
Thank you for this webiste/blog, have been looking around for this information for some time..
I have frequented your blog before. The more I learn, the more I keep coming back! ;-P
Awesome article, thank you for posting this. cartucce per stampante
worked perfectly for me.. thanks!