Hey guys, I just registrated on these forums today and been reading alot on here. Basically I just need a bit of help on what to do on this problem that I have with my printer.

I'm having a bit of a printing issue which I think started when I upgraded it. Basically my computer is on a shared printer in my house in another room. It might of disconnected to the printer or something but i'm not exactly sure.

Anyway the problem that I'm having is I'm trying to print a word document in Microsoft Word and this error keeps popping up.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj117/jusy32/printererror.jpg

Basically I just need a bit of assistance which would be greatly appreciated because I dont want go around and stuff things up.

Thankyou very much if you can help

You say the problem started when you changed the printer. Did you update the drivers for the new printer?

You also mention that it is a shared printer. Are you printing from a computer connected directly to the printer or remotely?

No I still have the same printer, but what I'm saying is when I took my computer for upgrades, i think it lost the connection between the computer.

Im connected to it remotely...basically the printer is in another room connected to another computer....

I'm not exactly sure what to do, because a computer tech came in to our house and networked the printer for us.

Has the printer on the host computer been shared; i.e. does it have a little hand supporting its icon, when you view the host PC's printers and faxes.

If so has the network printer been installed on the client computer. It should show (as Brother is in the attached pic) as sitting on a "network bar" under the client PC's printers and faxes. Brother is the shared printer set up on the Host PC called vik. The path to that printer is thus \\vik\Brother

Yes the printer is being shared and has a hand.
Now when you mean install..do you mean install the printer driver with the installation disc?
Basically I'm a bit confused on what steps I have to do

Heres the host computer
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj117/jusy32/printers.jpg

Here's the client computer
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj117/jusy32/printer.jpg

Hope that helps a bit...Thankyou for your help though

Control Panel >> Printers and Faxes >> Add Printer

You install the network printer in an analagous way to installing a normal printer but you must choose network printer in the second page of the add printer wizard. Follow the wizard to install on the client. Canon i350 may need to be on-line for setup to work but not absolutely sure. Browse for the printer or just add the path in the form of:
\\HostComputerName\Canon i350

If you are using the same operating system as the host then you probably will not be prompted for any drivers.

Nope my client computer can't even recognize my Canon i350

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj117/jusy32/error.jpg


They're both on XP

Is the printer "On Line" - that is to say attached to the Server computer and funtioning from it.

Are you entering the correct path in the setup box. To simplify things you might rename the printer from Canon i350 to just CanonShared (no spaces) in the Server PC.

What exactly is the server computer...Host computer?
Yes my printer works and prints on my host computer

I'm not exactly sure if I'm entering the right path though
What does it mean by server...my computer name, my network?

I'll rename the Canon i350 to CanonShared in printer&faxes to make it easier

Yes - Server and Host are used here with the same meaning. The Host "Serves" the printer out to other client PCs. The client "Requests" usage of the Server's printer. To expand on the use of the term host, a Web Host would "Serve Out" webpages for other users to access. When you request a webpage you are the client.

What does it mean by server....my computer name, my network?
The server's (or any other PC's) name is that PC's name on any networks it is attached to and can be got from RClicking My Computer and choosing Properties.

Nope still the same error as before
My client cannot find my Canon i350

I don't understand because my host is sharing and everything...
Thanks very much for trying though...got any more suggestions?

I has assumed this as a given but I suppose the thing that hasn't yet been fully addressed is whether file/printer sharing has been correctly setup (http://tech.yahoo.com/gd/setting-up-shared-printers-for-a-home-network/153491) on the guest/client or whether any firewalls are blocking access. Can you, for example, access any shared folders on the host/server - or vice versa?

Please also state whether Home or Pro is in use on both PCs.

Yeah that could be the problem..not properly setup
Also does the windows firewall have to be off?

Thx i'll read that guide

Host/Server-Professional xp
Client-Home xp
Um yeh i can enter shareddocs on my host...not on client though

Thx for help

Some basics:

Use simple (AND UNIQUE) short names with no spaces for the computers; its also a good general principle for folders, fileshares, workgroups, usernames, etc, etc.
Have both in the same workgroup (XP home uses MSHOME by default and XP pro uses WORKGROUP by default).
Share at least one folder/resource on both computers.


The Windows Firewall shouldn't interfere with MS File Sharing, though 3rd Party Personal Firewalls can so block.

If ever in doubt, disconnect any internet connection and disable all firewalls while you troubleshoot your LAN access.

Ok I'll do a process of elimination
Firewall- Can't be because I have no 3rd party firewall, only windows
OS- Can't be the operation system because both are XP

What do you mean by using short (UNIQUE) names....does that basically mean renaming the printer? eg CANONSHARED
Could be the problem- When I set this up yesterday I was having trouble with the network connections and stuff, but i fixed it. Although I put both comps as WORKGROUP...Hmmm
How do i share a folder....?

What do you mean by using short (UNIQUE) names.The computer's name must be unique on the network. Otherwise the comment was a generalisation to help avoid making typos and avoiding the occasional need for inverted commas when spaces are involved.

How do i share a folder....?
RClick >> Properties >> Sharing.

Under XP home you may be prompted to use wizards and so forth but simply agreeing to directly share it doesn't normally create any great security risk. I would also suggest you create a new folder specifically for the purpose in the root of the C drive and stay away from sub-folders under Documents and Settings.

Can't be the operation system because both are XP
One however is Home and the other is Pro and aspects of networking are not the same with both of them. Other factors specific to the installation and the way TCP/IP may have been setup can also affect things as indeed can the network hardware on occasions.

Ok so in step by step

What do I exactly have to do?

http://www.geekgirls.com/windowsxp_home_network.htm

http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=29577

I'm sure there are other guides - peeps may well know better ones.

Thanks a lot

When I have some freetime I'll get straight to it

You seem to know a lot..

Do you have an occupation in computers..just wondering?
Because I'm still in school and I'm heading towards a job in i.t though as you've seen...networking isn't my strong point :p

though as you've seen...networking isn't my strong point
LOL - It's definitely not my strongest point by a long chalk - but I keep wrestling away. Networking is fine in theory but actually getting things to work can be soul-destroying at times. Some years ago GhostHacker, one of our regulars, gave out good advice and that was to set up a small network of one's own and then experiment - and experiment. Only in the last 6 months or so have I done just that and there are glimmers that it is just beginning to bear fruit. I cant stand it when a bit of hardware gets the better of me and will work away, like a dog worrying a bone, at all sorts of problems. It beats doing difficult cryptic crosswords for me.