Printer sharing with Win 7 64bit (Host) and Win XP 32bit

[crazydj]

Hey guys!

 

I want to connect to my Win 7 64bit rig which has an attached shared printer with my Win XP rig.

 

I have a laptop which is able to flawlessly connect to the printer with Win 7 64bit on it.

 

 

Win 7 64bit Desktop With attached shared printer

Win 7 64bit Laptop is able to connect wirelessly to the shared printer.

Win XP 32bit Desktop cannot connect wirelessly to the shared printer.

 

 

 

The thing is that when i use the "Add Printers" function in Win XP, i can sometimes see the workgroup which my Win 7 64bit Desktop with the attached printer. However, i cannot even see any printers at all.

 

I can add printers manually using the exact network address of the pinter, but it always asks me for a username and password. I just type in any name and it works. I can print but when i turn off my PCs, any one of them and try to do it again, i have to do this process all over again.

 

I have done everything as what this link instructs me to do. Still the same issue. http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-7/share-files-and-printers-between-windows-7-and-xp/

 

The thing is that, i want to

1) Whenever i browse for printer, i want to see the printers listed. This means that i have 100% all the time connection to the printer.

2) As long as my main Win 7 64Bit PC is turned on, i can print wirelessly.

 

I never had this issue with 32bit Vista/XP.

 

Any ideas how can i get my Win XP 32bit rig to connect to the shared printer on my Win 7 64bit rig?

[redbeacon]

So you turned your Win7 64bit into a print server? (as in, it is the go-to point for other comps on your network when it comes to printing)

 

Win 7 64bit Desktop With attached shared printer

Win 7 64bit Laptop is able to connect wirelessly to the shared printer.

Win XP 32bit Desktop cannot connect wirelessly to the shared printer.

 

32bit OSes (i.e. your XP) don't understand software & drivers that's installed on a 64bit OS (i.e. your Win 7). You need to go to your print server and on that shared printer itself, go into its Properties: there's a page there where you can install an XP-compatible printer driver into it, so in the future, other XP computers can use it.

 

http://i.imgur.com/X1oh1.png

 

Other than that, are all computers having the same Workgroup name?

[crazydj]

So you turned your Win7 64bit into a print server? (as in, it is the go-to point for other comps on your network when it comes to printing)

 

 

 

32bit OSes (i.e. your XP) don't understand software & drivers that's installed on a 64bit OS (i.e. your Win 7). You need to go to your print server and on that shared printer itself, go into its Properties: there's a page there where you can install an XP-compatible printer driver into it, so in the future, other XP computers can use it.

 

http://i.imgur.com/X1oh1.png

 

Other than that, are all computers having the same Workgroup name?

 

Yup. 32bit drivers are all installed on the 64bit machine. Workgroup name also same.

 

Funny thing though. But this happens sometimes only. When i cannot print or see the Win 7 printer, from my win xp, i need to go to My network places and wait there for about 20 seconds and the folder for Win 7 will appear. After it appears and i can access it, hey presto! I can browse for the printer and/or print stuff. I have to manually wait for the Win 7 folder to appear. This works sometimes only. Sometimes i wait and the folder doesnt appear and i can't see the printer when i browse for it or print.

 

Print spooler service, in services.msc, both PC also turned on.

 

Sometimes dont work, have to delete the printer, then add again. How ah?

[redbeacon]

Your XP has successfully added the printer before but can't see the shared printer sometimes you mean?

 

Try these:

 

1. User account check

- Make your username an administrator on the print server (i.e. the computer with the printer physically attached to it, and that it is shared out to others to use)

- Make a note of what the abovementioned username is.

- Go over to your XP machine and add your printer using the exact network address of it (i.e.: \\computername\AssignedPrinterName )

- When it asks for your username and password, you enter the username of the one on the print server (explained earlier). Password is either blank, or if you have one please entered it)

- Make sure you check off the "Remember username/password" if you see this option to do so.

- Try to connect.

- Monitor the situation.

 

2. Firewall check

- If you have firewall enabled on the XP and the Win 7 machine, turn it off. Does the issue improve? If it does, we need to review what we can do here.

 

 

As an aside btw, the "My Network Places" in a home environment is sometimes unreliable. More so on an XP.

[crazydj]

Your XP has successfully added the printer before but can't see the shared printer sometimes you mean?

 

Try these:

 

1. User account check

- Make your username an administrator on the print server (i.e. the computer with the printer physically attached to it, and that it is shared out to others to use)

- Make a note of what the abovementioned username is.

- Go over to your XP machine and add your printer using the exact network address of it (i.e.: \\computername\AssignedPrinterName )

- When it asks for your username and password, you enter the username of the one on the print server (explained earlier). Password is either blank, or if you have one please entered it)

- Make sure you check off the "Remember username/password" if you see this option to do so.

- Try to connect.

- Monitor the situation.

 

2. Firewall check

- If you have firewall enabled on the XP and the Win 7 machine, turn it off. Does the issue improve? If it does, we need to review what we can do here.

 

 

As an aside btw, the "My Network Places" in a home environment is sometimes unreliable. More so on an XP.

 

I have already done both of these already. Both PC, the accounts are administrators. Added in the exact network address and all that already from the start.

 

In XP, Win 7 is also in the same workgroup, but if i want to access it, i need to double click on the icon in my network places, put in any username and i will have access to the files and printer and stuff.

 

Basically, wireless printing works, but i have to do this all the time! Putting in the username.

 

For the permissions in the Win 7 PC, i put every account i can see there as everyone has the ability to modify, read, change etc. All that.

Edited October 23, 2011 by crazydj

[redbeacon]

put in any username and i will have access to the files and printer and stuff.

 

Basically, wireless printing works, but i have to do this all the time! Putting in the username.

 

Hmm...cheem.

 

If memory serves me right, if one logs into another computer using a fake username+password, he/she is treated as an Anonymous user. By design Anonymous users only stay logged-in as long as he/she is using the printer, shared folder, or wireless resource, etc...After that they have to re-login again.

 

It may involve some hand work but try this if you're ok for some experimentin:

 

1. Create users of the same name on both the Windows XP and Windows 7 machine. Like "JohnDoe" and "JohnDoe" on each side.

 

2. Assign them passwords that are the same on both sides. "12345" and "12345"

 

3. Make both of them part of the "Administrators" group.

 

4. When you log in as JohnDoe on Windows XP, and try to access resources** (i.e. shared-out folders/shared printers) on the Windows 7 machine, automatic authentication should take place behind the scenes since user+pass are the same on both sides, and it should not ask you for your username/password.

 

5. Restart both sides - bear in mind the Win 7 machine should start first, and try to access the Win 7 machine again from XP. Does it still have that sporadic quirk in which it keeps on asking you for your username and password?

[crazydj]

Bro,

 

the thing is that, i do not want to assign passwords and all that. I basically want them to connect normally. Is this possible?

 

On my Win Vista as host, i never had any probs connecting to it on XP or 7. Only when the 7 is the host then i get this problem only in XP.

[redbeacon]

Bro,

 

the thing is that, i do not want to assign passwords and all that. I basically want them to connect normally. Is this possible?

 

Try this on your Windows 7 machine:

 

How to disable password-protected sharing

 

In the instructions above, go ahead and perform this disablement on all 3 profiles: HOME, WORK (Win7 Pro and Ultimate only), and PUBLIC

 

Word of note: Do not disable PUBLIC if you are on a laptop. Doing so exposes it to potential attacks or hacks when you bring it out the door.

 

On my Win Vista as host, i never had any probs connecting to it on XP or 7. Only when the 7 is the host then i get this problem only in XP.

 

They upped the security on Windows 7, from what I hear.

 

By the way, also check the Printer permissions. Try to add the "Everyone" group in, and give it at least the Allow "Print" permission

 

http://i.imgur.com/AwLJs.jpg

[crazydj]

Try this on your Windows 7 machine:

 

How to disable password-protected sharing

 

In the instructions above, go ahead and perform this disablement on all 3 profiles: HOME, WORK (Win7 Pro and Ultimate only), and PUBLIC

 

Word of note: Do not disable PUBLIC if you are on a laptop. Doing so exposes it to potential attacks or hacks when you bring it out the door.

 

 

 

They upped the security on Windows 7, from what I hear.

 

By the way, also check the Printer permissions. Try to add the "Everyone" group in, and give it at least the Allow "Print" permission

 

http://i.imgur.com/AwLJs.jpg

 

Ya, i have done this already from the start. Still cannot, still asking me for username and password.

[redbeacon]

Ya, i have done this already from the start. Still cannot, still asking me for username and password.

 

Hmm...

 

I was reading through the technical notes on Microsoft.com and I'm seeing that since Windows 7, security has been upped and that also included the fact that fake usernames and blank passwords are not given any special treatment (aka treated as "anonymous logins")

 

But so far I haven't had any issues with 2 computers in the same workgroup so long as both sides have same exact username and have passwords - that also exactly same for both of them.

 

I'm stumped as well. But will let you know if I have any thing that comes into mind.

[crazydj]

The thing is that, i specifically asked Win 7 not to ask for any username or passwords and let it connect normally.

 

Basically, other Win 7 PCs, on the same Workgroup (not Homegroup) can connect arutomatically, share printers etc, but on my Win XP, i have to double click on the Win 7 PC and enter any username or passsword. Its not automatic. Hmm...

[quickshift]

How complicated...

Three options:

1. Make your XP machine a Print Server and enable File and Printer Sharing. The rest is.. you know what to do since you came this far.

2. Get your printer networked, i.e. assign an IP address to it and put it on the same subnet. Setup each machine to print directly through the IP (TCP port 9100 must be open);

3. If your printer does not support this (#2 above) function, read the manual, do not be a Scrooge - go to Sim Lim and buy a small print server. Linksys or Netgear or anything - doesn't have to be expensive.

 

If all else fails - read manual.

[crazydj]

How complicated...

Three options:

1. Make your XP machine a Print Server and enable File and Printer Sharing. The rest is.. you know what to do since you came this far.

2. Get your printer networked, i.e. assign an IP address to it and put it on the same subnet. Setup each machine to print directly through the IP (TCP port 9100 must be open);

3. If your printer does not support this (#2 above) function, read the manual, do not be a Scrooge - go to Sim Lim and buy a small print server. Linksys or Netgear or anything - doesn't have to be expensive.

 

If all else fails - read manual.

 

1) Can't. Win XP is my personal computer. The main Win 7 is the common computer.

2) How to do this ah? My printer got no LAN port.

3) Yes, i have researched this. Apparently, alot of companies out there do not support my samsung clp-310 printer.

4) Manual is useless.

 

Screw it la. Been weeks of trying. This printer already more than 3 years plus. Wait for it to fail then just buy a new colour laser networked printer. But i wanna know how to do step 2. Thanks!