I am working on a network of 5 computers. 3 are runnning win xp Pro and 2 are running win98. My "server" is one of the winXP computers. This computer has a local HP laserjet installed and 5 other printers installed on the network at various locations.

My problem is when I try to install a printer from the install printer wizard in the printers window from a workstation, None of the printers are visable ON THE WIN98 STATIONS....except one sorry not to complicate things. I am able to map to them typing a path to them but I cannot see them in the network "tree" nor do I see them in my network places window.

So why not just manually type in the path? I am able to print a test page to all printers this way. I have installed a version of quickbooks on one of the 98 machines and I am unable to print to the locally installed printer on "server" from within quickbooks. So I am wondering if these problems are related? Although some of the other printers on network do have the capability to accept a print command from within Quickbooks.

Maybe an error on my part with the way I have installed the printers? I want to say that there is a problem with my server computer. I have installed all printers on the server and then just linked to the printers from the workstations to have access to printers.

I have changed some names and descriptions of computers on the network in the hopes to be consistant. I am a Network Administrator in training although my job description does not say so I like the experience I can get.

Thanks for any help

Deleted printers on all computers and reinstalled on server computer, did scandisk\defrag Tried searching through serveces on XP machine and registry for an indication why the 98 machines can not see printers on network still with no luck.

Have you tried to install the printer program on the machines ? I had this issue sometimes ago and solved it by loading the printer drivers/utilities on each one and then installing the network printer.

I suppose that Win98 tries to print remotely using the local drivers (this sounds quite logic to me, as Win98 may not be able to use the WinXP remote drivers).

Chris

Thanks for the reply. The shared printers should be viewable in Network neighborhood. They are not. Just focusing on one printer right now a HP LaserJet 4050N. I dont really know where to begin with your suggestion. The first thing the printer wizard ask me is "Is the printer Local or network?" I need to specify the printer before I can do anything else?

Maybe I will try to hook this printer up to another computer on the network < an XP machine > install it there and see if it is visable on the network from the 98 client. To rule out my server computer as the problem.

Thanks for any help!!

QUOTE

I dont really know where to begin with your suggestion. The first thing the printer wizard ask me is "Is the printer Local or network?" I need to specify the printer before I can do anything else?

Before running the printer wizard, install the printer locally (on the Win98 computer) using the printer shipped disk(s) setup... then, reboot, run wizard and add it as network printer.

I tried to install the printer on another client station. The printer was still not visable on the network. I happened to adjust the share name of two other printers on this computer then looked on the network from the 98 pc and now one of these printers I had adjusted was gone.

My share name I had given one of them was to long as I realized I had clicked through a error message that told me "The share name you have entered may not be accesible from some MS-Dos Workstations. Are you sure you want to use this share name."

I adjusted my printer share names and they are visable on the network. Again thanks for the help maybe not pointing out the problem directly but certainly help finding the way to correct the problem.

Have a good one
Rob