Cannot conntect to printer over wireless network

Topic

New Reply

I have an old HP 4L printer attached to a desktop running XP Pro. My wife’s old notebook finally died and I replaced it with a basic notebook running Vista Basic. File sharing is working fine, and the printer is set to allow access on the network. On the notebook, I can see the printer, but when I try to install it, I get the message that a connection can’t be made. I posted this on the HP website and received a suggestion to manually add the printer as a local printer (did that) and then change the port settings. However, I could not figure out the right port settings (if that would even work). The HP website says that the Vista printer drivers for the HP 4L are installed on the machine (and they aren’t providing drivers for old printers on their website for download. I have seen suggestions to connect the printer to the new computer, but I have the same problem as others that the printer is pre-USB and the new computer lacks a parallel port (what were they thinking!). My other solution is to upgrade my desktop to Vista, but I don’t really want to do that unless absolutely necessary (either that or get a new printer, but I’ve had it for 20 years and it runs fine!)

Reply | Quote

Replies

Open Windows Explorer on the Vista machine, then to expand “Network”, then expand the computer that has the printer connected, and then select Printers. there you should see the shared printer. Right click it, and select “Connect”. The wizard may ask if it can install the drivers from the other machine, click OK. When the wizard is finished you should have a connection to the printer.

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

Reply | Quote

I’ve tried that. The problem is that the XP machine does not have the Vista print drivers for the HP4L (and HP doesn’t provide the drivers for download).

Reply | Quote

I’ve tried that. The problem is that the XP machine does not have the Vista print drivers for the HP4L (and HP doesn’t provide the drivers for download).

I searched the HP web site for Vista drivers for the HP Laserjet 4L and found the following text:

HP LaserJet and Color LaserJet Products – Products Supported and Drivers Included in Microsoft Windows Vista
Your product is supported. Drivers for HP printers are included with the Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System.

HP has a Windows Vista driver solution available for your product. This driver will enable your product’s basic functions to work.

HP is committed to providing the best experience for HP products in the Windows Vista operating environment.

You can conveniently find this driver in your Windows Vista operating system, today.

At this time the driver will only be available on the Windows Vista operating system through the “Add a Printer” wizard. HP does not plan on placing this legacy driver on http://www.hp.com.

Reply | Quote