What's Wrong Can't Find Printer?

I would consider to buy a repeater, having also a LAN connection option. Then you have a direct connection between printer and router, enabling access from all your PC's.

Ben Myers said:

Press the Windows and "R" keys on the remote computer, type or paste the following into the "Open" box and click "OK". msdt.exe /id PrinterDiagnostic Ben

Thanks for that. It suggested making it the default printer so I let it do that and tried again. No success.
Still doesn't appear in the print queue.

I tried a 'microsoft print to pdf' and got an error: 'network path not found'

So it looks like one part of the system finds all network paths, finds the printer, troubleshoots the printer, etc. - but another part of the system cannot direct print output through the network paths.

could that be a permissions thing maybe? but then I'd get a permissions error wouldn't I?

Press the Windows and "R" keys simultaneously on the computer with the printer, type or paste
"control /name Microsoft.NetworkAndSharingCenter"
into the "Open" box and click "OK". When the app opens, click "Change advanced sharing settings" in the left column, expand the "Private" section and make sure that "Network discovery" and "File and print sharing" are turned on and that the box marked "Turn on automatic setup of network connected devices" is checked. Also, if you don't want to enter a username and password from the remote computers, expand the "All networks" section and make sure that password protected sharing is turned off.

Ben

Ben Myers said:

Press the Windows and "R" keys simultaneously on the computer with the printer, type or paste
"control /name Microsoft.NetworkAndSharingCenter"
into the "Open" box and click "OK". When the app opens, click "Change advanced sharing settings" in the left column, expand the "Private" section and make sure that "Network discovery" and "File and print sharing" are turned on and that the box marked "Turn on automatic setup of network connected devices" is checked. Also, if you don't want to enter a username and password from the remote computers, expand the "All networks" section and make sure that password protected sharing is turned off.
Ben

Thanks for that. I've now got jobs in the queue. But no print. I did a 'properties' on the queued jobs and an error about a function address protection fault.

Make sure the printer is turned on. Some printers turn themselves off when not in use. Also, you may be able to configure the host computer with the drivers needed by the remotes. Press the Windows and "i" keys simultaneously on the computer connected to the printer, click "Devices", "Printer and Scanners", click on the printer, select "Properties", click on the "Sharing" tab and click "Additional Drivers" at the bottom. You may need the CD that came with the printer or you may have to download the drivers from the manufacturer's web site.

Ben

Thanks all for the help.

Problem fixed. I fear it was all my fault. The remote computer was addressing a printer that didn't exist.

I was not alert enough to perceive the difference in the names. One was 'long name' 'pcl5' and more 'long name' and the other was 'pcl6'.

When pcl6 appeared on the remote computer I assumed that had to be the one.

But it wasn't/isn't. It is pcl5.

I did all the things Ben suggested with it - checked sharing and whatever and it still didn't work - it didn't even show up on the remote computer - so I restarted both computers. It still didn't show up. So I did that 'find printer' thing and found it and was able to print to it.

So I didn't know that. And I guess my sloppy habits are just too bad. All those ancient printers that list when I go to print should be culled for workable and defunct/unworkable I guess. The list includes, of course, Microsoft Print to PDF and the Document Writer which at least the Print to PDF is useful. I've never used the Document Writer thing.
And one is the 3250, that's real.
But all the rest are junk I suppose.
Unless some are the 'real' printers but just with complete long path names?
Anyway, I need to get on top of it.

Sorry if I've caused any brain furrowing trying to find solutions for me and in future I'll remember to ask myself first of all 'Does the bloody printer exist?'

:)