Can't add Hp Printer

Question

I am trying to connect a new Optiplex 990 PC to an HP printer shared on a WinXP computer. Windows 7 "ADD PRINTER" wizard sees the printer, but can't find the INF driver files. But, the HP Install Printer wizard doesn't see the printer. And, if I try to add the printer in Win7 by adding the driver and then adding the port, how to I tell it the port is another PC?

I am ready to use this new PC as a speed bump.

Thanks to any with ideas.

TickedOffAtWin7 · Answer

It is an HP 3020 printer, and HPs web site specifically says to use Win7s driver.

Mary G · Answer

Make sure you are connected to the Internet and let the wizard search online for a driver. Here are the directions: h20000.www2.hp.com/.../Document.jsp

Mary G · Answer

You will need to download the Windows 7 drivers or generic drivers for the printer from the HP web site if they are available. Post the model HP printer here in the forum for more specific help. You might not be able to use the wizard with Win 7 especially if it's an older printer, but you should be able to find a basic generic driver. You just will not be able to use all the features of the printer and will not have the same utilities--ink status, nozzle cleaning, etc. Consider buying a new network printer to share. You can have more than one printer on your network. Here's the HP site: http://www8.hp.com/us/en/support-topics/win7-drivers.html

PudgyOne · Answer

TickedOffAtWin7,   Try reading...   Share Files and Printers between Windows 7 and XP   Remember virus programs and firewalls will block communications.     Rick

TickedOffAtWin7 · Answer

Mary G, the link you provide I have tried. But, just to be sure, I went over it again.

Steps 1-3 printer IS a USB printer, but it IS NOT attached to the Win7 PC. The printer IS NOT listed in Win7.

Step 4 Done

Step 5 HP Std TCP/IP Port not available. Used Std TCP/IP port instead.

Step 6 Printer is not a "network" printer, so it doesn't have an IP address. The name of the PC is //quality, so that is the hostname I put in. ( Is attached to the Q/C dept PC ). Should I have the "query the printer" option checked? For now, it is.

Next, it says querying the TCP/IP port. Then goes to "can't find device" and wants to know what type of device it is. I select custom, and tell it the printer name is //quality/hplaserj ( the printers shared name in WinXP). I select the HP Laserjet 3020 PCL 5 printer drive from inside Win7,and tell it to print a test page. Nothing comes out. Printer says READY.

PudgyOne · Answer

TickedOffAtWin7,   Was told this works both ways.     Rick

TickedOffAtWin7 · Answer

Rick, the link you provide is for Sharing a printer attached to the Win7 machine. The printer is on the WinXP machine. I have an option to install additional drivers on the WinXP machine, but not X64 drivers. The printer is shared, and there are no anti-virus or firewall currently active on the WinXP machine.

RockSt☆r-Rick · Answer

TickedOffAtWin7,

Go to Control Panel. Choose printer. Then choose Add Printer.

Choose Add a local printer. Click on Create a new port. The default in the drop down box is Local Port. Do not change that. Click Next.

A dialogue box will appear asking for you to enter a port name.

Type in \\quality\hplaserj

Rick

Printers

Can't add Hp Printer

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