Printer sharing problem

[GaryGnu]

I have 3 computers on my network.

1) WindowsXP
2) Windows2000
3) Windows98

I have a printer on the XP computer that I want to share to the 2000 and 98 computers. I have the printer share set up on the XP computer. I easily configured it for the 2000 computer. I can print from there. I have not been able to access it from the 98 computer. I have file sharing set up on all 3 and that works fine.

I know it can recognize the printer, because when I enter \\computername\sharename it DOESN'T tell me the printer is offline. If I enter anything incorrectly here, it tells me the printer is offline. When I enter the correct info, I don't get the offline message.

On the 98 computer, when I try to add a new network printer (after entering \\computername\sharename), I am prompted to enter the type of printer and model and all that stuff, and its looking for the .INF file. When I point it to the .INF file I have on the printer CD, it complains. Why does it need to load that stuff anyway? The computer is not local. I don't understand why it needs that information. The 2000 computer just added it, with no other problems.

Any help would be appreciated.

Gary

 

[JW310]

Even though the printer is not hooked up directly to the 98 computer, the 98 computer still needs the proper drivers installed to be able to use the printer. The reason your 2000 computer didn't appear to need to install any drivers for the printer is because it was able to copy the drivers from the XP computer during the install. Windows 2000 and XP are similar enough that the 2000 computer was able to use the XP drivers for the printer. You'll probably need to install the software for your printer on the 98 computer before attempting to connect to it through the network.

JW