Network Printing

[JimW01]

We have a Windows 2000 network with SBS. We have had a bunch of NT4
machines for years, two of which had HP LaserJet printers connected
and shared. All was fine. I have replaced the NT4 machines with
XP(sp2) machines and am having nothing but problems with the
printing. I installed the drivers off the original disks and at
first, I can use the Install Printer Wizard from other XP Machines and
select the computers the LaserJets are attached to and then select the
LaserJet and all is good. Then, a few hours later, I cannot print
from the other Networked computers and when (if I can) I open Printers
and Faxes, the status of the printers is either "unable to connect" or
"opening". If I uninstall from the computers they are connected to,
reinstall, reboot and then do the same at the other networked
computers, I can print, but again, after a while, I get the same
messages. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Bernie]

We have a Windows 2000 network with SBS. We have had a bunch of NT4
machines for years, two of which had HP LaserJet printers connected
and shared. All was fine. I have replaced the NT4 machines with
XP(sp2) machines and am having nothing but problems with the
printing. I installed the drivers off the original disks and at
first, I can use the Install Printer Wizard from other XP Machines and
select the computers the LaserJets are attached to and then select the
LaserJet and all is good. Then, a few hours later, I cannot print
from the other Networked computers and when (if I can) I open Printers
and Faxes, the status of the printers is either "unable to connect" or
"opening". If I uninstall from the computers they are connected to,
reinstall, reboot and then do the same at the other networked
computers, I can print, but again, after a while, I get the same
messages. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Rather than use the printer drivers from the "original disks", go to
HP's website, find the Support Link and download the latest drivers for
your printers and operating system. See if that fixes the problems.

 

[Fred McKenzie]

We have a Windows 2000 network with SBS. We have had a bunch of NT4
machines for years, two of which had HP LaserJet printers connected
and shared. All was fine. I have replaced the NT4 machines with
XP(sp2) machines and am having nothing but problems with the
printing.

Jim-

Bernie's suggestion to update drivers may make it work as it did before.

You might also consider purchasing either internal or external JetDirect
servers, if the printers don't have them already. If they had them, the
JetDirect acts as a printer server and would support network printing
directly from each computer.

Fred