Locating Printers on Server

I have two printers set up on an office network, they are connected directly to the router, not any computer. How do I locate them when setting up a new computer to the network?

 

define what you mean by "locate them." do you just need steps on connecting the printers over the network to the new computer?

 

The network as 5 computers and two printers. I replaced one of the computers on the network. The new computer locates the other computers but does not locate the Printers. Thank you for your help.

 

What version of Windows is your new machine?

 

The OS is Windows 7. I have gone to Devices and Printers and went through the process to add a printer. The issue I have is it does not find either printer. One is a copier machine connected to the network and the other is a HP Color Laser Jet. Thanks for your help.

 

After you get the message "my printer is not on the list" if you add it by IP address, what happens?

 

When I go to attempt to add by IP Address it still says it cannot locate the printer

 

ok so when you put in the ip address it should bring you to a page where you can select Standard - Generic Network Card. then click next and install your printer driver. if they arent in the list you can use windows update to update the list and check it again or you can click have disk and locate the drivers on a disk that came with the printer or the location where you downloaded the driver.

 

Are you able to ping both devices?

For the copier printer, it usually comes with software that will locate the printer and load the driver. Have you tried that?

 

Do you know the IPs of the printer & copier? If not go get them! Our copier will display the IP right on the main screen, if not go through the menus and/or print the config page. Hopefully they are static IPs. Go to what ever computer and start the add a printer. Select local printer (YES local printer), then select create a new port, drop down to Standard TCP/IP, hit next, then for the host name just enter the IP (ie 192.168.1.100) and next.
Then it will look for a driver and you can provide one by selecting 'Have a disk' and install will finish.

If you had the printers shared by a server or a desktop (or why you might want to) that stays on all the time, you could load the driver(s) assuming you might need various drivers Win7, XP, x86, or x64. Then you just go to start and type the name of the PC that is sharing the printers (ie \\myprnpc) and a window pops up, you double click the printer and the printer job window will open after the print is installed. bam!

 

Lets start back at the beginning. What manufacturer & model #s are the printers, how are they connected to the network (on a switch (manufacturer & model# of switch), what router (manufacturer & model#)), is there a Domain controller that is using Samba, or Microsoft Small Business Server (which version), or just all connected in a workgroup?

Are you using MAC filtering on the router, is there any VPN involved anywhere on the network, etc. Too many other questions, that cannot be answered without all of the info needed, and when it really comes down to it, you may be best to have a local IT guy come in and go through if it comes down, due to at times, the simplest solution is really looking you right in the face.

If you go back and start from square one, by deleting the printer software & printer drivers out of all computers, get just one computer setup with one printer, then do the same for the next printer, then move to the next computer, and do the same, you may find that again, the answer is sitting right in front of you.