network printer appears as a LPT1 entry with no network info

[Guest]

I have 3 systems running Win XP Pro. A tower and two notebooks. The notebooks
are connected via wirless networking. The tower has a HP Fax/Priinter combo
attached and a Xerox XD100 attached locally as well. All devices could print
successfully with no problems. One notebook was changed to a Sony VAio with
XP Pro with SP2+ installed. I can created a link to the HP printer and it
works fine.

When I create the link to the Xerox printer the new print element on the
Sony will not print to the tower attached printer. Looking at the device
properties I see that the Ports properties show the printer being attached
locally via lpt1. It should be showing the network address of the tower
machine \\bruce\\xerox. The port buttons are grayed out and I cannot change
the attributes of this device.

I access the devices on the tower system via the network and then select
install to install the drivers on the new notebook.

I've deleted and recreated a couple of times with the same results.
I've also checked the other notebook, deleted the printer and recreated with
no problems.

Running out of ideas? Thanks Greg

 

[GTS]

What do you mean by "create the link to the Xerox printer"? Are you
installing it by Add Printer or doing something else?

 

[Guest]

Yes, I've used ADD Printer as well. The install process seems to work fine,
but when it is finished the network printer is attached as lpt1 with network
address.
During the install process I "browse" to the network devie and select it.

I've also added it by diplaying the network printer device via network
neighbourhood and select "install" .

Greg

 

[Alan Morris]

When viewing the properties of the connection, the port information is
displayed for the machine sharing the printer.

If you have administrative rights on the remote machine you can manipulate
the port information. If no admin rights the information is displayed
without write access.

 

[GTS]

That's very strange, particularly the grayed out port buttons. I don't know
the answer, but have a couple of thoughts. In a command prompt can you ping
\\bruce\\xerox? What happens if you type net use \\bruce\\xerox? Do you
get any error code? Does it show up in Network Places?
--

 

[Guest]

Yes, the device is viewable in Network Places. I'll investigate the Admin
Rights, but I'm not hopeful there is a problem herre. The HP printer works
fine. Both printers are attached to the same Tower. If I double click on the
device from Network Places the system will install the device drivers
attached to lpt1. I cannot print a test page to the newly create device icon.

Alan, your comment seems correct. I tested on my network here and yes the
remote printer is attached as lpt1 on my system. However, the port buttons
are "actionable" and I can print to the device. I'll have to test on the
failing network, at a friends home.

Thanks, I'll update on my findings... Greg