How do I print on USB printer on another computer?

[gecko]

I have done this often on XP to XP. Now I want to do it on a two
machine setup using VISTA on one machine and XP on the other.

I have a EPSON R320 printer installed and working fine on the XP
machine. It was connected to that machine's USB.

I moved the USB connector to the VISTA machine and installed the
printer drivers etc on that machine. It printed fine.

On both machines printer sharing is activated, using share name R320.

I moved the USB connection back to the XP machine, I can't figure out
how to 'add printer' on the VISTA machine to enable printing on the
R320 from the VISTA machine to the R320 via the XP machine.

Yes, I have read and tried to apply the helps. No success.

Help?

-GECKO

 

[solon fox]

I have done this often on XP to XP.  Now I want to do it on a two
machine setup using VISTA on one machine and XP on the other.

I have a EPSON R320 printer installed and working fine on the XP
machine.  It was connected to that machine's USB.

I moved the USB connector to the VISTA machine and installed the
printer drivers etc on that machine.  It printed fine.

On both machines printer sharing is activated, using share name R320.

I moved the USB connection back to the XP machine,  I can't figure out
how to 'add printer' on the VISTA machine to enable printing on the
R320 from the VISTA machine to the R320 via the XP machine.

Yes, I have read and tried to apply the helps.  No success.

Help?

-GECKO

There are a couple of different ways to reach the printer on the XP
machine. You could do Start and key in the UNC to the XP machine, e.g.
\\XPname or use the IP address e.g. \\192.168.1.100 and then browse to
the printer, right click it and add the printer.

It really isn't that different from when both machines were XP. Maybe
the Vista machine and the XP machine have different workgroups?
Anyways, the above method should work by IP address even if the
workgroups are different. You might be prompted to authenticate to the
XP machine with an ID and password on the XP - I use the Administrator
ID to authenticate.

Good luck,
-solon fox

 

[Cameron Snyder]

I have done this often on XP to XP. Now I want to do it on a two
machine setup using VISTA on one machine and XP on the other.

I have a EPSON R320 printer installed and working fine on the XP
machine. It was connected to that machine's USB.

I moved the USB connector to the VISTA machine and installed the
printer drivers etc on that machine. It printed fine.

On both machines printer sharing is activated, using share name R320.

I moved the USB connection back to the XP machine, I can't figure out
how to 'add printer' on the VISTA machine to enable printing on the
R320 from the VISTA machine to the R320 via the XP machine.

Yes, I have read and tried to apply the helps. No success.

Help?

-GECKO

From control panel click printers. Then choose the 'add printer' wizard.
Select network printer. It should then be listed there if your xp machine is
on and connected to the network, and has the printer properly shared.

 

[gecko]

There are a couple of different ways to reach the printer on the XP
machine. You could do Start and key in the UNC to the XP machine, e.g.
\\XPname or use the IP address e.g. \\192.168.1.100 and then browse to
the printer, right click it and add the printer.

It really isn't that different from when both machines were XP. Maybe
the Vista machine and the XP machine have different workgroups?
Anyways, the above method should work by IP address even if the
workgroups are different. You might be prompted to authenticate to the
XP machine with an ID and password on the XP - I use the Administrator
ID to authenticate.

Good luck,
-solon fox

Thanks for response.

The two machines are in same workgroup - namely MSHOME.
VISTA machine is 192.168.0.100
XP machine is 192.168.0.101
File and Printer sharing are invoked on both machines AFIK.
I have dual boot implemented on the VISTA machine with XP on a second
boot drive there, I can print fine on the XP machine's R320 from the
XP drive on the VISTA machine, thereby assuring that I am connected
okay. I can print from the VISTA drive fine on the R320 printer when
it is connected directly to the VISTA machine's USB port. That is
because I had installed the R320 drivers etc on the VISTA hard drive.

When I use VISTA's 'add printer' to create a link from VISTA to the XP
machine's R320, I am instructed to add either a local or network
printer. I chose network and it finds XP machine's R320 printer
(\\XPMachine\R320), but it won't do it, telling me I have to install
the R320 drivers on the VISTA drive first, which I already have done.
I tried installing the drivers again anyway, but it then tells me that
it cannot find the printer because the 'printer monitor is unknown'.

And so, I am stopped cold here. Can U advise something?

-GECKO

 

[gecko]

From control panel click printers. Then choose the 'add printer' wizard.
Select network printer. It should then be listed there if your xp machine is
on and connected to the network, and has the printer properly shared.

See my last post. That is exactly what I did do. The search found
the R320 printer fine, but said I needed to install the R320 drivers
on the Vista machine. But I had already done that! I tried an
install anyway, but then it said it could not connect to the printer
because it was an 'unknown print monitor'.
So that is where I am stuck.

Thanks

-GECKO

 

[solon fox]

Thanks for response.

The two machines are in same workgroup - namely MSHOME.
VISTA machine is 192.168.0.100
XP machine is 192.168.0.101
File and Printer sharing are invoked on both machines AFIK.
I have dual boot implemented on the VISTA machine with XP on a second
boot drive there,  I can print fine on the XP machine's R320 from the
XP drive on the VISTA machine, thereby assuring that I am connected
okay.  I can print from the VISTA drive fine on the R320 printer when
it is connected directly to the VISTA machine's USB port.  That is
because I had installed the R320 drivers etc on the VISTA hard drive.

When I use VISTA's 'add printer' to create a link from VISTA to the XP
machine's R320,  I am instructed to add either a local or network
printer.  I chose network and it finds XP machine's R320 printer
(\\XPMachine\R320), but it won't do it, telling me I have to install
the R320 drivers on the VISTA drive first, which I already have done.
I tried installing the drivers again anyway, but it then tells me that
it cannot find the printer because the 'printer monitor is unknown'.

And so, I am stopped cold here.  Can U advise something?

-GECKO- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Here's what we know -
There is no problem finding the printer or the XP machine.
The drivers are current and found on both machines.

The communication is getting garbled when attempting to start the R320
properties residing on the XP machine when accessing from the Vista
machine. We know this because of the "printer monitor is unknown"
message.

Try this http://support.microsoft.com/kb/870666 Although, the
instructions are old, I think it applies to your trouble. Just follow
the instructions for the workaround.

I hope this helps.
-solon fox

 

[gecko]

Here's what we know -
There is no problem finding the printer or the XP machine.
The drivers are current and found on both machines.

The communication is getting garbled when attempting to start the R320
properties residing on the XP machine when accessing from the Vista
machine. We know this because of the "printer monitor is unknown"
message.

Try this http://support.microsoft.com/kb/870666 Although, the
instructions are old, I think it applies to your trouble. Just follow
the instructions for the workaround.

I hope this helps.
-solon fox

\

Well - I went to the web site and it says to modify the printer's .inf
file. Now if I only knew what that full name and where it is. I am
looking, but as yet no luck.

Thanks

-GECKO

 

[gecko]

Here's what we know -
There is no problem finding the printer or the XP machine.
The drivers are current and found on both machines.

The communication is getting garbled when attempting to start the R320
properties residing on the XP machine when accessing from the Vista
machine. We know this because of the "printer monitor is unknown"
message.

Try this http://support.microsoft.com/kb/870666 Although, the
instructions are old, I think it applies to your trouble. Just follow
the instructions for the workaround.

I hope this helps.
-solon fox

I just noticed that the printer name in the VISTA installation of R320
drivers has an (M) at the end of it. Specifically 'Epson Stylus Photo
R320 (M)'. That is not true on the XP machine. I wonder what that
means and if it is significant?

-GECKO

 

[Mick Murphy]

In vista, go to Network and sharing.
Click on Add Network Device
Browse until you find XP's Printer; don't just add a Vista printer!
The wizard will either add your Driver or find one!
As long as you have your Network set up properly, it should work.

 

[Cameron Snyder]

I have a Stylus Photo R300 connected to my Vista machine shared and
accessible from an XP laptop. It works. To try to duplicate your error I
connected the printer USB cable to my laptop, had to get the CD to install
the printer. Did so. Shared it. Connected to it from the Vista machine as we
have discussed, the window said I had to install drivers as you said. I
clicked the install drivers button. It used drivers already on the machine
with no intervention from me. Next the print test page window popped up. I
printed the test page. All is well and no error. I am unable to duplicate
your error.

BTW the (M) is present on my Vista machine printer title also.

 

[gecko]

In vista, go to Network and sharing.

First thing I see is that 'Printer Sharing' is marked as ON but
requiring a password. No idea why that would be. I don't use a
password since I am the only user. I wonder if this is my problem?

Click on Add Network Device

I don't see 'Add Network Device'.
I do see 'View computers and devices'. I selected it.
It showed my XP machine on which I selected the R320.
I got the same error as before - namely that I have to install the
R320 drives on the VISTA machine (which I had done a while ago).

Browse until you find XP's Printer; don't just add a Vista printer!
The wizard will either add your Driver or find one!
As long as you have your Network set up properly, it should work.

Nope

 

[gecko]

I have a Stylus Photo R300 connected to my Vista machine shared and
accessible from an XP laptop. It works. To try to duplicate your error I
connected the printer USB cable to my laptop, had to get the CD to install
the printer. Did so. Shared it. Connected to it from the Vista machine as we
have discussed, the window said I had to install drivers as you said. I
clicked the install drivers button. It used drivers already on the machine
with no intervention from me. Next the print test page window popped up. I
printed the test page. All is well and no error. I am unable to duplicate
your error.

BTW the (M) is present on my Vista machine printer title also.

Good! I am glad you get the '(M)' also. Now I won't worry about it.
I'll try a uninstall of the R320 now on the VISTA machine and then try
to repeat what you did.

Thanks

-GECKO

 

[Patrick C]

I was having a similar problem and found the following doing a Google
search:

"I had the same problem. I found a solution. Logically it makes no sense to
me, but it worked so...

Go to Control Panel. Choose printer. Then choose Add Printer.

ChooseAdd a local printer. Click on Create a new port. The default in the
drop down box is Local Port. Do not change that. Click Next.

A dialogue box will appear asking for you to enter a port name. Type in the
\\computer name\printer name ie. My computer's name is basement and the
printer name is EpsonSty so I typed in \\basement\epsonsty."

It helped me.

 

[gecko]

I have a Stylus Photo R300 connected to my Vista machine shared and
accessible from an XP laptop. It works. To try to duplicate your error I
connected the printer USB cable to my laptop, had to get the CD to install
the printer. Did so. Shared it. Connected to it from the Vista machine as we
have discussed, the window said I had to install drivers as you said. I
clicked the install drivers button. It used drivers already on the machine
with no intervention from me. Next the print test page window popped up. I
printed the test page. All is well and no error. I am unable to duplicate
your error.

Well, I did as I said. Got same result. Dang!

-GECKO

 

[Cameron Snyder]

Well, I did as I said. Got same result. Dang!

-GECKO

Dang! This thread is so long and so many Re:'s. My suggest is, from Vista
remove the Epson software using it's uninstall or through the control panel
'Programs and Features', not just remove the printer(s). All traces must be
gone. No Epson service or process running. Use Task manager description
field to verify (right now I have an Epson service and process running). You
should have none. If you do have, restart. Install the downloaded total
Vista software package. Then plug in the printer. Print a test page. Then
unplug the printer from Vista. Restart. The Epson software and local printer
are still installed. Plug the printer into XP, making sure it is shared and
appears in the network shares under the XP's icon of your now rebooted
Vista. Then add the network printer using the Vista printer wizard.

If you did all that already, oh well. No point in doing it again. Check
program problem reports and event viewer to narrow down the actual
application failing.

 

[gecko]

Dang! This thread is so long and so many Re:'s. My suggest is, from Vista
remove the Epson software using it's uninstall or through the control panel
'Programs and Features', not just remove the printer(s). All traces must be
gone. No Epson service or process running. Use Task manager description
field to verify (right now I have an Epson service and process running). You
should have none. If you do have, restart. Install the downloaded total
Vista software package. Then plug in the printer. Print a test page. Then
unplug the printer from Vista. Restart. The Epson software and local printer
are still installed. Plug the printer into XP, making sure it is shared and
appears in the network shares under the XP's icon of your now rebooted
Vista. Then add the network printer using the Vista printer wizard.

If you did all that already, oh well. No point in doing it again. Check
program problem reports and event viewer to narrow down the actual
application failing.

I think it is time to end this thread. It indeed is getting too long.
Sorry.

As I researched all this, I am finding that first of all the
distributed CD for the R320 printer drivers as well as PrintCD are not
acceptable in Vista. Second of all, I find that others have had
problems using the R320 under Vista. In fact, it looks to me like
PrintCD is not even usable under Vista. I have not read that anyone
has successfully networked the R320 between Vista & XP. Would that I
did!

I have downloaded the recommended R320 printer driver for Vista, and
can at least print on the R320 directly from Vista when I connect said
printer directly to the Vista machine's USB. But that's where my
success stops, as I tried to describe before.

I intend to plug away at this for a day or two, and then I will drop
it and get a life. Wish me luck!

Thanks for all helps.
-GECKO

 

[Alan Morris [MSFT]]

The XP machine is 32 bit I assume. Is the Vista machine the same
architecture, 32bit?

Since the driver names do not match, you cannot make a true connection. You
will either need to install a Vista driver onto the XP machine or create a
local printer targeting a Local Port in the name \\XPmachine\Printsharename

If the Vista machine is 64bit the Local Port method is the easiest way.

--
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.

 

[Cameron Snyder]

PrintCD works under vista for me but in my setup the printer is local to
Vista, shared to XP and I don't try PrintCD printing to a shared
printer-asking for problems. I was never referring to THAT software in our
discussion. The CD should not have been your source for drivers. My CD has
no Vista drivers on it and that CD has never been in my machine once it was
upgraded to Vista. It's odd to me that my R300 works and your R320 doesn't.
I think it is software problem : The Cardmonitor is a drive in Computer
through the USB hub that is also installed. Complexity. Anyway, good luck.

 

[gecko]

PrintCD works under vista for me but in my setup the printer is local to
Vista, shared to XP and I don't try PrintCD printing to a shared
printer-asking for problems. I was never referring to THAT software in our
discussion. The CD should not have been your source for drivers. My CD has
no Vista drivers on it and that CD has never been in my machine once it was
upgraded to Vista. It's odd to me that my R300 works and your R320 doesn't.
I think it is software problem : The Cardmonitor is a drive in Computer
through the USB hub that is also installed. Complexity. Anyway, good luck.

From my readings, there probably is no VISTA version of PrintCD.
Several people have indicated displeasure over that. As will I. I
like that program. I can still use it under XP of course.

Thanks for helps.

-GECKO

 

[gecko]

PrintCD works under vista for me but in my setup the printer is local to
Vista, shared to XP and I don't try PrintCD printing to a shared
printer-asking for problems. I was never referring to THAT software in our
discussion. The CD should not have been your source for drivers. My CD has
no Vista drivers on it and that CD has never been in my machine once it was
upgraded to Vista. It's odd to me that my R300 works and your R320 doesn't.
I think it is software problem : The Cardmonitor is a drive in Computer
through the USB hub that is also installed. Complexity. Anyway, good luck.

And so, how did you install Epson PrintCD under Vista? When I tried
it, it said the OS (Vista) was not supported. I have it installed
under XP and it works fine, but of course I have no way to link to it
from Vista, or to execute it directly under Vista either. I don't
think I do anyway. IOW, PrintCD simply will not install under Vista
(for me).
What I am saying is this. If I had the R320 connected to the Vista
machine's USB, I have no way to install the PrintCD software there. My
Epson install CD simply is not usable on Vista. I see no download on
the web for a version acceptable under Vista. I read some statements
on the web that PrintCD is not runnable on Vista, which upset the
writer of said statement.

Thanks

-GECKO