I'm not sure - this is all occuring when connecting to printers at Kinko's, so I don't know how it's set up.

just to confirm, you're plugging the printer directly into a switch (or router)?  or are you using a print server?

I'm not really sure then ... talk to them?

The printer should have a network name should you should add a network printer and use the second radio button where you give the printer a name like:

 

\\kinkosprinter\hplaserjet

or however they have it named. 

Thanks for the suggestion, but the Kinkos staff insist that I should be utilizing the IP address and whatever name I choose to give the port.  Have seen other XP users doing this and having no issues.  Any other thoughts?

Tried that...  The Kinko's staff overall are incredibly unhelpful and in general seem as bright as a three-watt lightbulb.

My version of XP Pro came loaded with the computer and carries an OEM serial number, so Microsoft says "Dell should cover it" and of course Dell "Support" says "Microsoft should cover it".

Still at a loss.

do you have SP2 installed?  I know it covered some general networking issues

not sure, if you're using the Add a Printer feature in XP, are you selecting network printer or local printer?  If you're selecting network, try going to local instead and just add the TCP port on the appropriate screen

Tried both.  Still locking up just after entering IP Address.

Nemesis -

Answers to a couple of your questions:  I'm connecting to a switch, no print server involved.  And, I do have SP2 installed.

Whaddaya think?

One other bit of info - the Error Report that comes up when this occurs references explorer.exe and msvcrt.dll.  Maybe this lights up a lightbulb over someone's head?

Need the exact error message.

The error signature gives me the following:

Appname:explorer.exe   Appver:6.0.2900.2180

Modname:msvcrt.dll   ModVer:7.0.2600.2180

Offset: 00036834