Can't connect to printer on separate computer.?

Question

I'm trying to connect to the printer on the main computer. This one and it are both connected to the router and are in a network. But when I go to Browse Printer (in Add a Printer), after I choose the printer it says it can't connect because either the name was incorrect or it isn't connected to the server.

Any solutions?

Answer 1

If the printer is directly connected to the network with a valid IP address and mask you should try to "ping" it to ensure it is there.

To ping on XP, click start, then run.
In the box that appears type CMD
Another box appears that is a dos box.
with the ip address of printer handy type

ping 123.456.789.123 (replacing my numbers with IP address from printer.) This should respond positively ie not time out. If it fails fix the printer setup first.

If it responds then you are nearly there.

Go into add a printer,next, select local printer (only)
select create a new port, scroll down to standard tcp/ip port
next, next, Complete invitation for ip address, next, it will now find the printer you pinged earlier, complete name etc as per normal printers.

If the printer is attached to a pc via usb,serial or par. cable, then you must share the printer first.

You need the name of the computer. rt click my computer, properties, computer name, change it to something memorable or note it.

Go to printers, if the printer has a hand under it is shared, rt click the printer, click sharing, if not shared click share this printer and give it a name if already shared note the name.
Click Ok.

Click add a printer. Choose network printer, next,
click connect to this printer, fill in the box with
\\PC name\printer share name, decide default printer or not etc etc.
Do not forget to set up defaults on this new printer (paper size etc).

You should now have a printer named "name on pcname"