Sharing the printer (Windows XP to Windows Vista )
Article ID: ART119911 | Date published: 05/12/2015 | Date last updated: 08/17/2015
 

Solution

Sharing the printer and using it on a network

Several computers connected to a network can share the printer connected to one of the computers. To share the printer, set up the printer as a shared printer on the server or host (the computer connected to the printer) and install the printer driver on each client or remote system (computers other than the server).

Example of networking:

Note : Hereafter, the computer connected to the printer to be shared with a USB cable (A) is called "the server" or "host", and the computer to be added (B) "the client". Two computers are on the same network (LAN).

Important: In order to print from the "client" (B) computer in this configuration, the "host" computer (A) must be on and logged into the network.

Steps to set up sharing.

  1. Get the name of the server computer.
  2. Set up the host machine.
  3. Set up the client

Locate the Server computer name.

Windows Vista :

  1. On the desktop, right-click the Computer icon, then click 'Properties'.
  2. The computer name will be displayed next to Full computer name: in the Computer name, domain and workgroup settings section.


Windows XP:

  1. Click 'Start', right-click 'My Computer' then click 'Properties'.
  2. Click the 'Computer Name' tab.




  3. The computer name will be shown next to Full computer name:

Set up the printer on the host machine for sharing.


If Windows Vista is the host:

1. Open the Printers window. (instructions)

2. Click your right mouse button on the listing for your printer, and then select 'Sharing' from the menu that appears.

3. Click 'Change sharing options'



ex. MP960

4. Select 'Share this printer', type a Share name for the printer and click 'OK' . Make note of this name as it will be used later.






If Windows XP Home Edition is the host:

1. Open the Printers window. (instructions)

2. Click your right mouse button on the listing for your printer, and then select 'Sharing' from the menu that appears.

3. Select 'Share this printer', type a Share name for the printer and click 'OK' . Make note of this name as it will be used later.



ex. iP90


If Windows XP Professional Edition is the host:

1. Open the Printers window. (instructions)

2. Click your right mouse button on the listing for your printer, and then select 'Sharing' from the menu that appears.

3. Select 'Share this printer', type a Share name for the printer and click 'OK' . Make note of this name as it will be used later.




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Set Up the Client

When Windows Vista is the client:

Install the printer driver

If using a driver downloaded from the Canon web site to install the printer

1. If using the downloaded driver, double-click the downloaded file, then click 'Run'. The file will then extract and begin the driver installation.

2. Follow the prompts and continue with the installation until you reach the Installation Complete screen.

3. On that screen,check the 'Select printer port' box and click the 'Manual Selection' button.


4. Select 'LPT1: Local printer port' and click 'OK' then click 'Complete'.

5.In the Printers window, right-click the printer icon and select 'Properties' (Accessing the Printers window)

6. Click the 'Ports' tab, then click 'Add Port'.


7. Select 'Local Port' then click the 'New port' button.


8. Enter the port name using the XP computer name and printer name in the form \\Computer Name\Printer Name using the information obtained in the Get the name of the server computer. and Set up the host machine. sections, above, and then click 'OK'. The Port name window will close.


9. Click 'Close' on the Printer Ports window .

10. The new port will now show as being selected. Click 'Close'.

11. Click 'Install driver' if the following window appears. You are now ready to print.


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If using the driver supplied with the Vista operating system

1.In the Printers window, click 'Add a Printer' (Accessing the Printers window)

2. Select 'Add a local printer'.

3. Select 'Use an existing port' and select 'LPT1: (printer port)' from the dropdown and click 'Next'.

4. Select the proper manufacturer and printer from the lists and click 'Next'.

5. Type a name for the printer or use what is already entered for Printer Name: , decide whether or not to set as default and click 'Next'.

6. Click 'Finish'.

7.In the Printers window, right-click the printer icon and select 'Properties'

8. Follow steps 6 through 11 in the previous section . Go to step 6.

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When Windows XP is the client:

There are two recommended methods for setting up the Windows XP client for printing : Creating a local port in the same manner as when Windows Vista is the client, and , the Point-and-Print Method. The first method, creating a local port, is recommended when Windows Vista 64-bit is the server's operating system.


Creating a Local Port

Install the printer driver

1. When using a downloaded driver, double-click the downloaded file to start the installation.

2. When using the CD-Rom, setup will launch automatically when the disk is inserted. Choose either 'Easy Install' or 'Custom Install' to start the setup program.

3. Follow the on-screen instructions until the installation reaches the Printer Port (installing from download) or Printer Connection (installing from CD) screen. Select 'Manual selection' in each case.



4. Select 'LPT1:' then click 'Next'

5. Click 'Finish' (installing from download) or 'Exit' (installing from CD). Restart the computer if instructed to do so.

6. Open the Printers window. (instructions)

7. Click your right mouse button on the listing for your printer, and then select 'Properties' from the menu that appears.

8. Click the 'Ports' tab, then click 'Add Port'.

9. Select 'Local Port' in Available port types: then click 'New Port...'

10. Enter the port name using the format "\\Server Computer Name\Shared Printer Name" (no apostrophes) using the information obtained in the Get the name of the server computer. and Set up the host machine. sections, above. Click 'OK'.

11. Click 'Close' on the Printer Ports window.

12. Click 'Close' on the Properties window.

Back to Client Setup

Back to Server Setup

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Point-and-Print

1. Click 'Start', then 'My Network places'.


3. Click 'View Workgroup computers'.

4. Double-click the server computer's icon. Enter the User name and Password if requested.



5. Right-click the shared printer's icon and click 'Connect'.


7. Click 'Yes' on the Connect to Printer window.


8. You are now ready to print.

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Accessing the Printers window

Windows Vista :

  1. Click the 'Start' icon, , click 'Control Panel' and then click the appropriate link or icon depending on the view.

  • Using Normal Vista View :

  • Using Classic View :

Windows XP :

  1. Click 'Start', then click 'Control Panel'
  2. If Using Category View : Click 'Printers and Other Hardware' and then click 'Printers and Faxes'.

    If Using Classic View : Double-click the 'Printers and Faxes' icon.

Back to Client Setup

Back to Server Setup

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