Win2KPro/Win98SE Network Printer Problem

[Ajaykay]

Primary machine running Win2k Pro -- networked my kid's computer running Win98SE through Linksys Router and cable modem.

File sharing, internet connection all working fine but I can't get the Win98 box to find the HP USB printer (which is connected to the Win2k machine).

When I try to set up the printer for sharing in Win2k, I'm told that I need to install additional drivers since I'm trying to network to another OS and it says to insert the Win2k Advanced Server CD to install the driver.

Is that the rub? I don't have the 'server' edition of the operating system -- as I said I use Win2k Professional version. Seems to me that the drivers should be available elsewhere. I don't need nor want Win2k Advanced Server -- just want my kid to be able to access the cablemodem and printer. As you can probably tell, I'm new at this networking stuff (and relatively new at Win 2000) but if I could just get this printer recognized, the battle would be over.

I suppose I could connect the printer to his computer and solve the problem but I'd rather leave the hardware set up as is.

Thanks for any and all assistance.

 

[iceliquid]

Ajaykay,

This might seem like a really stupid question, but have you succesfully installed the printer on your win2000 workstation and got it printing correctly?

This is how my understanding is regarding sharing printer on a microsoft network ( I'm printing on a network printer attached to a win98 computer which I know isn't your case):

-Make a local printer shared
-On the other networked computers, install network (not local) printer by designating it so when it askes if you're adding a network printer as opposed to a local printer.
-From my reading, drivers for the printer could be obtained from the computer that is physically attached to the printer (this helps if you're managing a HUGE network with hundreds of computers), or you could add the drivers via cdrom or floppy.

Could you offer any more info that might be helpful in troubleshooting this?

Regards,
IceLiquid

 

[Ajaykay]

Printer works fine on the Win2k workstation. In fact, I'm set up for dual boot on the workstation and can access the printer from both computers if both computers are running Win98 -- it's just when I boot Win2k, then the Win98 box can't find the printer.

 

[Zirgon]

ajaykay,

You should not have to install additional driver for printer sharing other than the network files that come with Win2k Pro. There is not driver for printer sharing that comes with the printer software.

First, uninstall the printer on the server, which is the WIn2k Pro system. Make sure there is not other printer present. Reinstall that printer. Make sure you have file and printer sharing in the Win2k system and it is enabled. Go to the properties on your printer through /control panel/printers/ *the printer*. Make share the printer is set to on sharing and give the Win98 system privilege via the group or specific user. Tell me if that helps.

Zir

 

[Ajaykay]

Thanks Zir! You were right on the money. I needed to delete and reinstall the printer in Win2k and the Win98 machine was then able to find it. Thanks again.

 

[Zirgon]

Cool.

Zir

 

[ronab2k]

Another thing:

If you put spaces in the Shared name on your Win2k machine (i.e. I renamed my HP Deskjet as "HP DeskJet 690&quot or anything that makes brings a popup window say "Share name that you entered may not be accessible from some MS-DOS workstations..." then your Win9x client machines will not be able to find the network printer. I just renamed it back to "HPDeskJet" and now my clients can detect it.

Good luck