New XP to Vista-attached-printer problem

The printer (an HP Deskjet F4820) is attached via USB cable to the Vista 64-bit computer.

Vista 64-bit:
file sharing (not password protected): ON
public folder sharing: ON
printer sharing: ON
Network discovery: ON

Printer settings: shared

We also have an XP Home Edition (all service packs are on it). Both computers are on the same workgroup (MSHOME). Both attach wirelessly to the router. The router has no USB connections on it, so I cannot connect the printer directly to the router.

Vista can see and access the XP shared docs over the network.
The XP can see the Vista "public" folder and access it.

The XP can see the printer on Vista, over the network.
The XP has the appropriate printer drivers on it.

On XP, the HP printer (on Vista) is the default printer.

The XP has printed a "test page", so I know the drivers are working.

But... I can't print anything else from XP. Nothing shows up in either the XP or the Vista "spooler" window when I attempt to print from XP. On the XP machine, I don't get any errors or messages besides "printing" and that disappears.

The network is not "down" - all is functioning and connected (and the Vista machine is "awake"), the printer is "on".

In the past, neither computer has ever had the same log-in/password schemes and printing worked. They currently do not have any common log-ins. (And I don't want our teenage sons to have access to my computer beyond shared docs and printing.)

A note: If I'm sitting at my Vista 64-bit computer and I view the Network, I see three icons: "Residential Gateway Device" (the router), the XP computer, and the Vista computer listed.

If I double click on the Vista computer icon, I see three new icons: HPprinter, public folder and another folder called "printers".

If, in that window, I double click on the HPprinter, I see the documents print list (empty). If I right click it and go to Properties, all I get is a window that I cannot change anything in. This seems to be just the spooler link.

If I'm at VistaPC network window and I double click the folder that says "Printers", another window comes up with the HPprinter listed. If I right click on that icon, and select properties, I get the printer properties window -- which tells me the printer is shared, etc.

Need more info/settings, lemme know.

(I have perused the forums and haven't found this - seeing, prints test page but nothing else... unless I missed it.)

Thanks for any help.

--- ADDENDUM:
Now the XP computer can see the Vista computer, can see the public files and documents, can see the printer and can print a test page.
I'm now getting a "The file you sent to the printer was deleted" type message.

No one is sitting at the Vista computer deleting things, Vista is awake. Is there a possibility that the Vista computer is not permitting the programs on XP to access the printer (I've tried Microsoft Word, Notepad and Wordpad)?

Thanks!

there is a file that you have to download for this to work you need to try disabling password protect sharing im not sure what the file is but its on one of my earlier post anyway ive had the same problem.it is solvable its just takes time and lots of cake and coffee

It's not asking for a password, and when I view the public folder on Vista from the XP computer, I don't have to enter a password (I've done that song and dance - it was one of the reasons I KILLED Vista yesterday and wiped it and reinstalled it).

I can view the Vista printer from the XP computer. I can print a test page from the XP computer.

It just gives me that "has been deleted" message if I try to print any documents from any other program.

I was thinking that McAfee on the Vista might be blocking the XP programs, but I can't find any sort of settings.

I got it to print...

Here's what I did.

Since the XP computer was seeing the Vista computer and the printer attached to Vista, and since they were able to share their shared documents/public folders, I knew that wasn't the problem.

I found an article here:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727037.aspx#ECAA
that discusses some changes to make.

So, on VISTA - I went into the control panel for McAfee:
McAfee/Internet & Network Confingurations/Firewall/Advanced/System Services
I added a new System Service in the listing.
Had to give it a name in the "System Service Name" box
Then in the box for Local TCP/IP Ports, I added the numbers 139,445
In the box for UDP Ports: I added the numbers 137, 138

I entered a brief description in the description box: "Permissions for XP to access Vista on network to print." And clicked OK and then navigated out of/closed the McAfee control panel.

On XP:
Went into My Network Places,
view work group computers
double clicked on the Vista computer icon
double clicked on the printer icon
connect to printer message pops up
"you are about to connect to a printer on.."
YES
keep server window open, close other window

Still on XP,
went to Printers and Faxes
add a printer

a local printer attached to this computer
-next

uses the following port:
drop down menu -selected
then found the port listing for
the printer on Vista

added it... permitted xp to keep the existing driver software (was already on the computer due to previous install)

printed test page - it worked.

printed a notepad test page - it worked.

I've yet to test it after the XP and the Vista have been turned off and rebooted, however. Keep your fingers crossed!

Yup. Worked even after both systems rebooted. One problem solved! :D

Now I seem to be having problems with the laptop... similar, but different. LOL.

XP Laptop sees Vista. Vista sees XP Laptop. Laptop can access Vista's Public folder, no problem. Vista cannot access XPLaptop's shared docs.

Laptop can connect to Vista printer, can make a test print, but cannot print from a program.... Following my set-up list in the earlier post doesn't work with the laptop.

And life goes on! :huh: