I can't get my Vista laptops to "see" or use my shared printer that is attached to my 7 desktop. Technical details below: Desktop: eMachine running Windows 7 Home Premium Edition; 64 bit; setup in WORKGROUP Printer: Epson Stylus NX127 Connection from printer to desktop: USB Laptop1: HP G60 running Windows Vista Home Premium SP2 (patches up to date); 32bit; setup in WORKGROUP Laptop2: Acer S735 runnings Windows Vista Home Premium SP2 (patches up to date); 32 bit; setup in WORKGROUP I am very frustrated, so I am open to all suggestions (short of upgrading my laptops to Windows 7) Thanks! LChase6

You've got two potential issues here. First, make sure the printer is shared correctly so that others can access it - check your share permissions. Second, you've got 32-bit systems trying to connect to a printer on a 64-bit system; the drivers aren't compatible. You've got a couple of ways to fix that - you can install the 32-bit drivers on the 64-bit system so that the 32-bit PCs can use them (I've always found this a bit awkward to do myself), or you can connect the share as a local printer using TCP/IP printing. This way, the Vista machines will use their own drivers instead of trying to use the one on the Windows 7 machine. Oh... you could also use LPR/LPD, but that requires opening up a port in your machine's firewalls.

The printer is shared accordingly. I can't load the 32bit drivers on the Windows 7 machine, I get an error. I can't load the 64bit drivers on the Vista machines, I get an error. So, since the printeris connected via USB (no network connection available), I'll try the LPR/LPD settings. I've activated the LPD setting on the Windows 7 machine, but how do I get the USB port to take on the IP of the desktop? Thanks.

You have to open up TCP port 515, incoming and outgoing, in all the firewalls, and turn on Print Services for UNIX on the Vista boxes as well. But I think you're misunderstanding - you're still using the share, just not the remote spooler. Using TCP/IP printing is as simple as (on the Vista machines only - no further steps are needed on the Windows 7 one) Add Printer->Local Printer->Create New Port->Standard TCP/IP Port. For Host name enter the Windows 7 computer's name and for Port name enter the share name of the printer. Then just pick the printer driver the same as you would for any local printer. You would use the same steps for LPD/LPR except you'd choose New LPD Port. LPD/LPR is still TCP/IP printing, it just uses UNIX ports and protocols instead of Windows ones.

Hi LChase6, Before going further, would you please let me know if Windows Vista laptop can access to Windows 7 Desktop via network? To access the network printer, please make sure the computers can communicate each other. Second, if the printer can work properly on Desktop? Please load 64-bit driver for 64-bit OS. If it works properly, let's connect the printer to the laptop directly to load 32-bit driver. After that, please check if the laptop can access the network printer. Please go to EPSON site to load the driver. http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/supDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=150187&prodoid=63088089&infoType=Downloads&platform=All If the issue persists, here is another solution for network printer between x86 and x64 computers. Hope it hleps. http://www.labnol.org/software/share-printer-between-different-windows-computers/9530/ Note: Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information. Regards, SimidaPlease remember to click "Mark as Answer" on the post that helps you, and to click "Unmark as Answer" if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

Hi LChase6, Before going further, would you please let me know if Windows Vista laptop can access to Windows 7 Desktop via network? To access the network printer, please make sure the computers can communicate each other. Second, if the printer can work properly on Desktop? Please load 64-bit driver for 64-bit OS. If it works properly, let's connect the printer to the laptop directly to load 32-bit driver. After that, please check if the laptop can access the network printer. Please go to EPSON site to load the driver. http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/supDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=150187&prodoid=63088089&infoType=Downloads&platform=All If the issue persists, here is another solution for network printer between x86 and x64 computers. Hope it hleps. http://www.labnol.org/software/share-printer-between-different-windows-computers/9530/ Note: Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information. Regards, SimidaPlease remember to click "Mark as Answer" on the post that helps you, and to click "Unmark as Answer" if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

Hi LChase6, Before going further, would you please let me know if Windows Vista laptop can access to Windows 7 Desktop via network? To access the network printer, please make sure the computers can communicate each other. Second, if the printer can work properly on Desktop? Please load 64-bit driver for 64-bit OS. If it works properly, let's connect the printer to the laptop directly to load 32-bit driver. After that, please check if the laptop can access the network printer. Please go to EPSON site to load the driver. http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/supDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=150187&prodoid=63088089&infoType=Downloads&platform=All If the issue persists, here is another solution for network printer between x86 and x64 computers. Hope it hleps. http://www.labnol.org/software/share-printer-between-different-windows-computers/9530/ Note: Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information. Regards, SimidaPlease remember to click "Mark as Answer" on the post that helps you, and to click "Unmark as Answer" if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.