Vista - Cannot print to a network printer

Ok, I'm stummped! I have a Dell A960 Printer hooked up to my Desktop (vista Ultimate x64)(wired) via USB. I also have an HP Desktop (XP-SP3) hooked up to my network (wired) and a HP Laptop (XP-SP3)(Wireless) also hooked up to my network. I can see all on all computers. I also can print from my vista desktop to my Dell, as well as print from the HP desktop to the Dell. However, I can't print from my wireless laptop at all..I keep getting "Deleting file" in printer status...I have ran the troubleshooter and no help...I have no firewalls on except for windows..I have just done a clean install of the OS on both my desktop and laptop...any ideas?


recap:

Desktop1:Vista Ultimate x64 (Main Computer-always on)
Desktop2:XP SP3 (on when needed)
Laptop: XP SP3 (on when needed)
Printer: Dell A-960 (always on)

Desktop 1, 2 and Laptop can all network no problems
Desktop 2 can print to Desktop 1 and vice a versa (as Desktop 2 has it's own printer-I did this for troubleshooting purposes...
laptop cannot print to Desktop 1 but I can print to Desktop 2

Thanks for your help in advance!!

Try this:

- In Desktop-1, get the network name and printer name.
- On your laptop, install the driver for the printer on desktop-1. Assuming it is a USB connected printer, you will probably need to connect it to your laptop temporarily to do this.
- Control Panel > Printer and Faxes > right click the icon for the printer > Properties.
- In the properties window click Ports > Add Port.
- In the Printer Ports window click Local Port.
- In the Port Name window enter \\Desktop-1-Name\Printer-name and click OK. These are the names you got in the first step.
- Port Name window closes. Close the Printer Ports window.
- In the properties window for the printer > Ports tab, scroll down to the bottom and you should see an entry like \\Desktop-1-Name\Printer-name Local Port". Check the box for that line. This is very important.
- Do a test print from Notepad. There should be an entry for the printer on Desktop-1 but it will not say "Local Port". Hopefully you will now be able to print to that printer.

Good Luck,
Sky

Nope..This didn't work...I get a and error from notepad "Notepad.exe-Entry point not found. The procedure entry point ??1CNavigator@@QAE@XZ could not be located in the dynamic link library dlbfutl.dll" . and also a "communication not available" Message....I'm gonna try this again, but first I am going to uninstall what I have on here now,and start all over again...I'll post my findings....

Sorry to hear it didn't work. When I wasn't able to print from my Vista laptop to my two USB printers on my WinXP Pro desktop, that procedure worked for both printers. Will keep lurking to hear what your final resolution is, if any.

Sky

First off...Awesome step by step process you gave me...Thanks!


- In the properties window for the printer > Ports tab, scroll down to the bottom and you should see an entry like \\Desktop-1-Name\Printer-name Local Port". Check the box for that line. This is very important.
Did this....it was set as by default.


- Do a test print from Notepad. There should be an entry for the printer on Desktop-1 but it will not say "Local Port". Hopefully you will now be able to print to that printer.
I tried this, and it pauses for a few seconds...now it say's "Communication not Available"...it's almost as if, the network printer is stuck on a USB printer connection...or even a fire wall blocking it..but I can't find one..and I don't have any installed as of yet...

You're welcome but sorry it's not working.

Hmmm, if I recall correctly mine were not checked by default. Are you sure you're looking at the right entry? There are two entries for "each" of my printers under the PORTS tab. For example for my laser printer:

The first entry looks like:
(nocheck) DOT4_001 ..... HP LaserJet 3390 Printer

The second entry looks like:
(checked) \\P4C800E\HP-3390 ..... Local Port ..... HP Laserjet 3390 / 3392 PCL5

The first entry is unchecked and the second entry with "Local Port" in the Description column is checked.

When I do a test print from Notepad, the entry I see for my laser printer is:
"HP LaserJet 3390 / 3392 PCL5" which exactly matches the second entry above.

Sky

Nope...don't forget, I uninstalled all of them and started fresh....so there was only one of them there...I will look into this a little deeper when I get home from work today...

My impression when I set my printers up was that:

The first entry was when I installed the printer as a local printer by connecting the printer's USB cable to my laptop.

The second entry was when I set the printer up using "Add A Port".

FYI, both my HP inkjet and my HP laser printers have two entries each. I think you should see two entries for each printer if you set yours up the same way I did.

Sky

Yeah, I don't have laptop with me, but I did set it up the same way...step by step from above....I removed everything that has to do with Dell printer, I even went into the registry and removed everything there as well...then I did it your way, step by step...I think there was only 1 entry...but I will double check later today..

Not sure if anyone was waiting for me to reply or not, I've checked eveything..I'm all out of options, it just won't work.....