Printer sharing on Windows XP

Question

Level 1

24 points

Printer sharing on Windows XP

After buying my first Mac 3 days ago my main outstanding setup problem is getting printer sharing to work. My printer is attached to my laptop and is shared with my PC, both running Windows XP. I've tried sharing the printer with my iMac but failed. Two conversations with the Apple help line concluded with the comment: "it's a Windows problem".
My iMac communicates with the laptop; i've transferred files, e.g. favourites to Safari without difficulty. I initially set up the printer (a two month old Canon MP630) on the iMac and it worked fine. However it is more convenient to have the printer attached to the laptop. When I select the laptop printer on the iMac the printer status window displays the job and the word "printing", but nothing happens.

Apple support has failed. Does anyone have a solution?

iMAC, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Nov 30, 2009 8:46 AM

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Answer 1

scb

Level 5

5,388 points

Nov 30, 2009 9:36 AM in response to willjm

Buy a printer hub/server. They are about $50. I have no idea if it's a mac or a PC problem, but doing what you want has always been a problem (sharing printers cross platform). May I recommend Linksys.

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Answer 2

Nov 30, 2009 4:06 PM in response to willjm

You will need to install a printer driver on your Mac. If one is not available for your printer, then you are out of luck. If you have one to install, then I would do so and temporarily connect the printer to your Mac, with the idea being that if you can't get it to print when connected to the Mac then you aren't going to get it work via Windows printer sharing.

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Answer 3

willjm Author

Level 1

24 points

Dec 1, 2009 3:12 AM in response to donv_the_ghost

Have already checked that I can print when printer is connected to the iMac. What I don't understand is that I can ping my network and my laptop from the iMac, yet I can't print via my laptop.

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Answer 4

Dec 1, 2009 6:47 AM in response to willjm

Sorry I missed before that you already have printer printing when connected to the Mac. I haven't used XP for a good while so I can't remember too much about its printer sharing routine. I do remember that sometimes when i'd lose contact with a printer, then I would go to the printers folder and double click on the printer. Some sort of reconnection process would ensue, and I'd be back in business again.

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Answer 5

willjm Author

Level 1

24 points

Dec 2, 2009 1:12 PM in response to donv_the_ghost

Have tried double clicking the printer on the laptop; no change. Still able to print on laptop OK.

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Answer 6

Dec 2, 2009 1:59 PM in response to willjm

I am sorry that I can't be of better help; I no longer have and XP on our network. Question: When you set the printer up on the laptop, did you set it up as a network printer. If you did, then that might be the problem. In other words, a shared printer is not a network printer from the perspective of Windows.

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Answer 7

willjm Author

Level 1

24 points

Dec 3, 2009 7:17 AM in response to donv_the_ghost

The printer was not set up as a network printer. I set up sharing on the printer by right clicking the printer and ticking the sharing box, and I've successfully used this printer from my PC (also running Windows XP). Text at the top of the printer window says : You can share this printer with others _on your network_.
My PC, laptop and iMac are connected through a router (EchoLife HG520s).
One thing I'm not sure about is which printer driver is used when I (try to) use the laptop printer from the iMac. The printer window on the laptop includes a section which says:
Drivers - If this printer is shared with users running different versions of Windows, you may want to install additional drivers.

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Answer 8

Dec 3, 2009 5:59 PM in response to willjm

willjm wrote:
Drivers - If this printer is shared with users running different versions of > Windows, you may want to install additional drivers.

I really don't understand what is missing in your formula. With respect to what is said above, I have seen the message many times, but even running three versions of Windows at a time. I never installed "additional drivers." I suppose I would start from scratch--removing the printer, disconnecting the Mac, and completly redoing the reinstallation of all--with restarts after every discrete step taken.

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Answer 9

willjm Author

Level 1

24 points

Dec 5, 2009 6:59 AM in response to donv_the_ghost

SOME SUCCESS!! Yesterday after downloading the Java update and restarting my iMac, _file sharing started working again_. I don't know what I've changed; perhaps it was the restart.
However printer sharing still fails. I've tried sharing the printer when it's attached to my PC (Windows XP) but that failed too. Curiously, in addition to getting file sharing to work on this PC I also got CD drive sharing, which had already been set up with my laptop (because the CD drive on my laptop no longer works). So I can get one piece of hardware to share but not the other!

My search for the solution continues.

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Answer 10

Dec 5, 2009 7:04 AM in response to willjm

Hey, I am glad you are at least back to square one. I actually still have been thinking about your problem. Unfortunately, I've had no really bright new ideas.

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Answer 11

Dec 14, 2009 4:23 PM in response to donv_the_ghost

Folks,
I am facing the same problem. I am not able to print at home, where I have an Epson TX105 plugged on a Windows Vista PC nor at Office, where I have a HP Laserjet 1505n plugged directly on the network.
I just printed a document plugging the printer directly to my notebook.
I suppose that any assistance might help me too.
Thanks a lot in advance.
Brgds. Luiz

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Answer 12

Nolleos

Level 1

0 points

Dec 28, 2009 5:29 AM in response to willjm

I have the same problem as willjm. Same printer, Canon MP630 and also connected to a Windows XP PC. I have tried sveral things, including using CUPS, but with no results. Tried also drivers for some other Cnaon models, but all is failing. The strange thing is that I see sometimes the printer is wake-up when I am sending a print to it, but does go further, so there seems to be contact.
Did you already solve the problem willjm?

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Answer 13

Nolleos

Level 1

0 points

Dec 30, 2009 2:03 PM in response to willjm

No response up to now, howeever I have solved the problem by installing an Airport Express. The printer (Canon MP630) is now connected to the AE by USB and as well the iMac as the Windows PC (windows XP) can print to it. Only one draw back, it only can print, the scanner will not function via the AE.

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