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Resolved Question

XP Cannot see a network Printer

Nov 27, 2011 8:35AM PST

Any help appreciated... I will try to be clear.

I have 3 machines: 1 Win & One Mac OSX and one XP SP3. I have been running the network on an Apple Time Machine but replaced it today with a Linksys 4200.

I also use an HP Officejet 8500 wireless printer. Once I got the printer sorted and onto the new network, the Win7 and Mac could see and use it. Alas, the XP was not so lucky.

Years ago it was part of a workgroup on a previous router. I have tried removing the workgroup- using the current router default "workgroup". I can validate on the router's IP page that the printer is connected and has an IP address. I cannot however get the XP machine to "see" the printer.

If I use the Linksys Connect tool, I can install the printer if I connect it via USB- but it still shows as offline in XP. If I use XP's add a printer process, it cannot see the printer. I am guessing that this is tied up with workgroups somehow- but it has been a long time since I dealt with XP.

The Mac is leaving in a few weeks for a new Lenovo- but the XP desktop is staying. Any ideas what I need to do to get XP to see/ find the printer? Even a link to a how to much appreciated.

Discussion is locked

IBGoldberg has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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Legendary.
Nov 27, 2011 10:31AM PST

Head to HP.COM, click on the CHAT button there and ask if they have a fix or support for this.
Bob

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XP Cannot see a network Printer
Nov 27, 2011 12:49PM PST

Thanks Bob,

I had been on that quest for about an hour before I posted here- just in case. You have to be a real sleuth to find a chat button there anymore. Such a shame. HP used to be a great company.

I did find a vein of very discouraging threads about this issue. A few people found odd workarounds, way more technical than I could follow. Port addresses and challenges playing nicely with firewalls and such. More than one person said that HP told them "you cannot get there from here. An 8500 will not connect to a wireless network" Odd since it says in big blue letters "Wireless" right on the face plate.

I have a similar post up there hoping for some resolution, even if it is USB connected to the router (which only installs a printer you cannot bring online- so far).

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So there's a firewall in the way?
Nov 27, 2011 1:29PM PST

Sorry I didn't find that detail in your post. When we start with trying to connect with wifi printers it's a shame the firewalls often are mute about the attempt. ZoneAlarm used to yelp and you would allow it. Some folk would yelp and lock the connection out and for them, that's the end of the story.

So here we are. Turn off the firewall or if it's some installed firewall, UNINSTALL it. Why? I found a few firewalls continue to work even when disabled. I don't have time to figure that out so I uninstall for the next step.

If the HP can't see it then I uninstall the HP software and install one more time since some of HP's software won't switch from USB to wifi or networking.
Bob

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XP Cannot see a network Printer
Nov 27, 2011 9:42PM PST

Found a workaround this morning- thought I would post it hear for other poor souls.

If you go to the HP site the threads on this are frightening. My fix was simpler. It helps that I run Norton Internet Security (instead of some that do not play so nice with new printer installs). It also helps that I had an issue with dynamic address assignments with an earlier HP printer.

Rather than strip the software, I carried the printer to the XP machine and connected it directly. Since the drivers were already there, installing was a no brainer. Then, I disconnected and put the printer back on the network. Using printer properties in XP, I created a new port using HP's standard IP port and entered the IP address of the printer directly... eh voila! The printer is connected on the network exactly as it should be.

Thanks Bob for your help

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What's scary?
Nov 28, 2011 4:30AM PST

Is that was considered normal in 2000.