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General discussion

Networked Printer

Mar 14, 2005 6:16AM PST

I have a 3 computer network, a Win-xp desktop, a Win-xp Laptop and a Win-98se Laptop. I have an older printer attached to the Win-xp desktop. I am able to print to the printer from my desktop and the Win-xp Laptop, but not from the Win-98 pc. I get "Invalid function" when I attempt to print anything.

I have installed the printer as if it was a local, then changed to port to match what the printer is referred to on the Network.

Still does not work......

Any thoughts

Discussion is locked

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Incomplete thoughts.
Mar 14, 2005 6:19AM PST

No make, no model, no thoughts...

The usual is that the 98 "user" has no account on the XP box.

Bob

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Verify Account on XP Box
Mar 14, 2005 6:37AM PST

Thanks, I had not thought of that.....but no cigar, user on Win-98 pc(my wife) also has an account on the Win-xp box.

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No make, no model.
Mar 14, 2005 6:52AM PST

This is much too hard to guess. Is the forum tip not showing today?

Tip: If you are asking for help to troubleshoot a computer-related problem, please be sure to include all the necessary information (ie: operating system, model number, hardware, software, etc) that will help others identify your problem for a speedy resolution.

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Win-xp-Win-98
Mar 14, 2005 7:01AM PST

What else do you need to know other than my Win-98 laptop cannot connect to the printer on my Win-xp Desktop, but my Win-xp Laptop can connect to the same printer on the same network...

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The other issue. Firewalls. Got any?
Mar 14, 2005 7:37AM PST

And since you can't share make and models, I can't share other causes.

Sorry,

Bob

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No Firewall
Mar 15, 2005 3:12AM PST

I have turned OFF the Win-XP firewall and do not use any other software firewalls on either PC's

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4 posts and yet... no model of that printer.
Mar 15, 2005 3:42AM PST

Is this a secret printer?

I don't want to sound uncaring, but without you partipating and answering such questions, we go very slowly, nowhere or in circles.

Bob

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HP 890C
Mar 15, 2005 3:52AM PST

Thanks

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Now reveal how it's connected, to what machine, etc.
Mar 15, 2005 4:06AM PST

Paint a complete picture. I don't want to sound short, but to see if a glitch in the setup is there, clues are required. I'll look up if the 890c has any known networking issues in the meantime.

Bob

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Connections
Mar 15, 2005 4:25AM PST

The HP printer is attached via the parrell port to the Win-xp desktop.
The Win-xp and Win-98 laptops are connected via my Linksys wired router.
The user name of the Win-xp laptop is setup on the Win-xp Desktop and this connection works.....
The user name of the Win-98 laptop is also setup on the Win-xp Desktop but this connection does not work, when I attempt to print something from the Win-98 pc, the file simply sits in the "Files to be printed" window.
When I installed the HP890c on the Win-98 pc, I was told the printer was off-line, but that I could still install and use when it returned online. Printer was never offline during this operation.
All 3 computers access the Internet thru the same cable modem.

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The user name of the Win-98 laptop is also setup on the Win-
Mar 15, 2005 5:26AM PST
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=221208 notes something interesting about this printer. It appears that Microsoft is supplying the printer driver in 2000 and up. SO IT is very important to not force any other printer driver on said OS.

As to "The user name of the Win-98 laptop is also setup on the Win-xp Desktop but this connection does not work", that is a big concern. If the Win-98 laptop can't browse the network share of the XP machine, then you fix that first.

Here's some sites about that but again the details are not in your posts. It would be a great idea to take the Forum Tip at its word and when you make a post, paint the problem, then another section with the gory details. That laptop and the hangup seems to be something like what I've run into in the past but can't share much since no one is revealing how Windows 98 came to be on the laptop or if only TCPIP is the only protocol.

Here's some reference sites about networking.

http://www.networkmagic.com/
http://www.wown.com
http://www.practicallynetworked.com

Bob
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Thanks
Mar 15, 2005 5:34AM PST

Thanks for your assistance, I'm moving on