Printing with an x32 print server and an x64 client pc.

[Rebecca]

Our print server is Windows Server 2003 SP2 (32 bit) and one of our client
machines is WinXP Pro 64-bit. As stupid as this sounds, the problem I am
having is - on the client machine, when I try to connect to a networked
printer on the server, it tells me it doesn't have the right driver for the
x64 OS. So, I downloaded and tried to install the x64 driver on first the
client and then on the server and BOTH tell me that the driver isn't the
proper one for the OS. Basically, the server is saying the driver is 64 bit
and isn't compatible with it's 32 bit OS yet the client says that the driver
has to be installed on the server. So...what do I do? Thanks.

Rebby

 

[Alan Morris [MSFT]]

what is the 32bit driver name?

what is the 64bit driver name?

If the driver names do not match, it's not the same driver.

--
Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[Rebecca]

Hi Alan,

Thanks for the response, but I think you may have misunderstood my dilemma.
I only have one file - the 64 bit driver file. (The server already has the
32 bit driver file installed and that works fine on out Win XP 32 bit OS
client PCs.)

So, with this single 64 bit driver file, when I try to install it on the 64
bit client machine, it tells me I have to install it on the server. But,
when I then try to install it on the 32 bit server, it tells me it's the
wrong driver file for the OS type. The driver file is downloaded directly
from the printer manufacturer's website.

Rebby

 

[Cari \(MS-MVP\)]

Rather than 'install' it on the 2003 Server, you ADD it as an extra driver
under Printer Properties of the printer concerned.

 

[Rebecca]

Hi Cari,

Sorry I should have also said, I tried that also, but under Other Drivers
under Printer Properties, it only listed certain types and none of them were
an x64 version. So, when I just selected the Win XP option and continued on
with the process, that's when I get the "wrong driver for this OS" message.

And then - when just trying to install the driver directly on the x32 OS,
same error.

Thanks.

Rebby

 

[Cari \(MS-MVP\)]

Try installing the 64 bit drivers directly on the 64 bit client.

Using the Add Printer Wizard on the x64 PC, point it to the printer and when
it asks for the drivers, point it to the files/folder you installed locally.

If the install program is an exe and refuses to install without having the
printer locally, expand the exe file with something like WinRAR, and repeat
the second paragraph. Then point it to the *.inf file in the folder you
just created with WinRar.

 

[Alan Morris [MSFT]]

You still have not included the print driver names for x86 and x64.

--
Alan Morris
Windows Printing Team
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here:
http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.