Sharing a printer

[Akira]

Hi guys,

Whilst trying to hook up a user to a shared printer I've come across a peculiar problem. The PC can ping the sharing PC just fine but when it comes to a direct hookup (eg. \\usernPC) it returns with network location not found.

They are both active on the network and do not display any other problems at all.

Any ideas guys?

Thanks,

Akira.

[kidzer]

Are they on the same Workgroup?

I think Windows machines have to be on the same Workgroup before they can access shares from other machines.

[Akira]

Yes they're attached to a domain and are on the same subnet. Thanks for the reply matey

[Re-Invented]

You on vista ??

[Akira]

No, both machines have XP installed.

[j.o.s.h.1408]

where is the printer connected to? a router? one of the pc's?

[Splash]

Domain or workgroup? Potentially a big difference

[Akira]

One of the PCs has the printer installed locally via USB. The other PC on the opposite side of the room also has XP installed.

The PCs are both on the same domain.

[abeacock]

Is the problematic PC a new one?
Does it have the same name as an old PC?

I ask as I too had an issue recently where a reinstall of XP on my PC caused my whole network neighbourhood to stop working. I powered everything down including the router and then up again and then all the PCs could see each other!

[Akira]

We thought it was the PC (as it was also found to be full of spyware - bloody users) so a re-image was carried out.

The same issue recurred when the PC was reintroduced... also, I can connect to the printer share from my PC in a completely different building.

[Splash]

If it's a domain what share level permissions are set? Also is file and printer sharing allowed through the Windows firewall?

[Akira]

If it's a domain what share level permissions are set? Also is file and printer sharing allowed through the Windows firewall?

Ahh, that sounds promising, I'll try it tomorrow! Thanks Splash!

[Akira]

My colleague has just connected to the shared printer so it can't be the windows firewall (sadly, got a bit excited then).

[xAmritx]

is the location saying
//(pcname)/(shared printer name/location)
or just
//(pcname/location)?

[Akira]

\\pc_name\share_name

[Splash]

when you say you can ping the machine are you pinging the hostname or the ip? I suppose this could be DNS related...