Windows 98 won't connect w/ XP printer on network; file sharing OK

[Guest]

When I try to print from my Windows 98 desktop to the Lexmark Z22 printer
connected to my XP Home laptop, I get the error message "Printer Not Ready.
Cannot communicate with printer..."

On the W98 computer:
Printer Port is LPT1
Sharing is On; shared name matches XP setting
Spooling is checked.
Shared computer is set as default printer.
Enable bidirectional support is checked.

On the XP computer:
Printer Port is LPT1
Sharing is On; shared name matches W98 setting
Spooling is checked.

I have the two desktops and an ADSL modem linked via ethernet cables to a
Netgear switch. I ran the Windows XP Network Setup Wizard on Computer 1
first, then used the XP CD on the second computer as instructed before
running the wizard there. File sharing WORKS. Norten firewall is off, Windows
firewall is on.

Under printer properties, I was prompted by the following message: "If this
printer is shared with other computers running different versions of Windows,
you may want to install additional drivers so that the users do not have to
find the print driver when they connect to the shared printer."

Wondering if this was the problem, I checked Intel-Windows 98 and clicked
OK. It then asks where to get the driver from. So I loaded the printer
installation CD but got the message that it’s not digitally signed for
Windows XP and all sorts of bad things could happen if I install it. So I
didn't.

Is it safe to load the driver? Could this be my problem or can I look
elsewhere for the solution?

One previous message suggested that Lexmark printers can't handle networking
across different OS's. Is this true?

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

When I try to print from my Windows 98 desktop to the Lexmark Z22 printer
connected to my XP Home laptop, I get the error message "Printer Not Ready.
Cannot communicate with printer..."

On the W98 computer:
Printer Port is LPT1
Sharing is On; shared name matches XP setting
Spooling is checked.
Shared computer is set as default printer.
Enable bidirectional support is checked.

On the XP computer:
Printer Port is LPT1
Sharing is On; shared name matches W98 setting
Spooling is checked.

I have the two desktops and an ADSL modem linked via ethernet cables to a
Netgear switch. I ran the Windows XP Network Setup Wizard on Computer 1
first, then used the XP CD on the second computer as instructed before
running the wizard there. File sharing WORKS. Norten firewall is off, Windows
firewall is on.

Under printer properties, I was prompted by the following message: "If this
printer is shared with other computers running different versions of Windows,
you may want to install additional drivers so that the users do not have to
find the print driver when they connect to the shared printer."

Wondering if this was the problem, I checked Intel-Windows 98 and clicked
OK. It then asks where to get the driver from. So I loaded the printer
installation CD but got the message that it’s not digitally signed for
Windows XP and all sorts of bad things could happen if I install it. So I
didn't.

Is it safe to load the driver? Could this be my problem or can I look
elsewhere for the solution?

One previous message suggested that Lexmark printers can't handle networking
across different OS's. Is this true?

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

You've apparently installed the printer on W98 as a local printer
connected to the LPT1 parallel port. That won't work.

Un-install the printer, then click "Add Printer" and install it as a
network printer. Specify the network path as "\\computer\printer",
where "computer" is the XP computer's name, and "printer" is the
printer's share name as assigned on the XP computer.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your advice Stever BUT I have been unable to complete your
instructions. I uninstalled the printer and proceeded to add a printer per
your instructions. When I got to the install part, I specified I had an
installation disc from the printer mfg. However, I kept getting the message
"The specified location does not contain information about your hardware. "
While this message was playing, the CD was trying to come onto the desktop to
start installing the printer locally. After retrying many times, I then tried
another route. I downloaded the driver from the printer's website in hopes
that I could refer to that location on my hardrive rather than the
installation CD. I got the same message. Along the way, I got another message
"The network printer is currently offline.You can install the printer now,
but you will not be able to print to it until it comes back online."

I am ignorant of many things computer though I can follow directions. I just
can't fill in the blanks. Any more ideas? Your help is greatly appreciated.