Printer network and related problems

I have just come out of 'malware cleaning' and directed here.

We have a small network - my computer with attached printer, wife's, ethernet connected to router, and son, wireless connected.

We recently found print jobs sent from my wife's computer (which 'saw' my printer) never arrived at mine, for printing - print spooler showed nothing.

On checking Network & Sharing Center, I find

Network Discovery
File Sharing
Printer Sharing - none of them can be set 'ON'. No error message - just, it doesn't happen.

Trying to set Public FOlder Sharing 'ON' results in an error message - 'Incorrect Function'

'Media sharing' and 'Password Protected sharing' are both 'ON'

It seems this might be a software, not a malware problem.

 

Ok first what Version of Windows are you running.

What kinda Printer system is it.

What kinda network Device's do you have.

 

1) Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit

2) Printer is a HP 4280 All-in-one, USB connection to my computer.

3) We have 3 computers - linked through a Belkin router. My computer and wife's laptop are Ethernet-connected to the router, son's computer wireless connected.

The Connections seem OK - we all 3 link to the net. Wife and son used to be able to print on the HP just by clicking 'Print'.

Dunno about son - he hasn't had any printing to do for a while, and is away at the moment.

Wife 'sees' my printer on her screen - gets no error message. But the job never appears on my computer - nothing in the Print Spooler (no job waiting) - just 'lost without trace'

I've undergone malware cleaning - told i'm all clear, and to post in 'Software.

Hope this helps.

 

OK - i'll need to get some more info, and run a couple print tests - can't do that till the morning - it's late, here, now, & son is out.

i'll post again when I have the necessary details

 

Both my computer and wife's laptop run Vista.

Mine is 64 bit - Ultimate.

Her laptop is Home Premium, 32 bit.

Both are 6.0.6002/Service Pack 2/build 6002

Son's is Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit 6.1.7601/service Pack 1/ Build 7601

Attempting to print from wife's computer - laptop shows the printer attached to my computer, but flags it 'Offline'. (It isn't - it's ready to print.) The connection of the printer to my computer is USB.

The print job is logged on her machine, together with a backlog of other jobs which failed to print, flagged as 'Error ...'.
As I say, the job shows on her machine (Control Panel/Printers/click on the printer).

On my machine, it doesn't register. (Presumably because I cannot turn 'Printer sharing' to ON.)

Son cannot print, either.


I use a Belkin ADSL+ router/modem. Wife and I link to it by ethernet cable - son wirelessly. All 3 computers have internet access - so cables and wireless would appear to be working OK.

All 3 computers used to print perfectly happily - now I can print, they cannot.

 

FYI - Link to previous Networking thread - http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=267375

In that thread your printer was listed as a "HP DeskjetF2480 All-in-one scanner/printer".
In this thread, you are saying a "HP 4280 All-in-one".

If it is a "HP Photosmart C4280", there is a critical update that may solve the problem of at least the printer showing up on your comp - http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...en&cc=us&dlc=en&sw_lang=&product=3192753#N267
Open the "+" by the Update category.

 

Thanks for this info, lbmest, and for your continuing interest.

However, I boobed - 'Operator Finger Trouble' - SOrry

It is an 'HP 2480' All-in-one scanner/printer/copier.

My mistake.


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Reply to plodr :-

1) All 3 computers are same Workgroup - 'WORKGROUP' - checked.

2) I can't find 'Devices and Printers'. Neither 'click' nor 'right click' on Start, in Vista, give 'Devices and Printers'.

3) As for your last link - in Network and Sharing Center, I can only turn ON 'Password and protected sharing' and 'Media sharing'. Trying to turn on 'Public folder sharing' brings up an error message 'Incorrect Function'. The other inaccessible options allow me to go through the motions, but click 'Apply' and they're still not turned on.

The last item 'If you're still having trouble...' - I can get through 'Start/Control Panel/Security Center (not 'Security' - as it shows)/ Security Essentials/Firewall' - but I can't find 'Allow a program through Windows Firewall'. Mebbe the link refers to XP, not Vista?

 

OK - I've dug around some more.

The problem was with the section starting 'If you're still having trouble sharing files or a printer on a network, make sure Windows Firewall is not blocking File and Printer Sharing. Here's how:'

In Vista, there are two ways to display Control Panel - 'Classic View' and 'Control Panel Home'. I never use 'Control Panel Home' - I was hardly aware it existed.

The 'Security' section is under 'Control Panel Home choice - that's why I couldn't find it. (Mebbe the author of that article might add a note? - It would help simple souls like me!)

The 'Allow a program through Windows Firewall' choice IS there. I clicked on it. 'Windows Firewall Settings' opens.

There is an 'Exceptions' tab - for 'Program or port. And buttons for 'Add Program' and 'Add port'.

I want to 'Add Printer', which doesn't seem to fit either.

'Add port' opens a dialogue with entries for 'Name' and 'Port number' and two radio buttons for 'TCP' (already selected' and 'UDP'.

Also a button at the foot 'Change scope' (whatever that means!)

Is there a 'Name' and 'Port number' that might help me?

 

Vista Firewall Information -
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/...ogram-to-communicate-through-Windows-Firewall

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Open-a-port-in-Windows-Firewall

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Firewall-frequently-asked-questions

 

I've studied these links carefully, but I can't find anything that seems to help me.

They all lead to 'Allow a program through the Firewall' or 'Open a port in the Firewall'.

Program :- Well, as far as I can see, I would have to list, as an 'Exception', every program that might want to use the printer (anything with 'File/Print' in the taskbar). I could go through all my programs, and select them all - but this never used to be necessary, so it's hard to see that it might help now. But, more seriously, I can only list for 'Excepting' the programs offered - which are those to be found on my computer. The whole problem I have is that my wife needs to print - and she uses several programs, such as Windows Office suite, which I don't have - so I couldn't make an 'Exception' for those - the very ones we are having problems with! The programs on my computer can already print, perfectly well, and don't need to be made 'Exceptions'.

As for opening a port, if this is what it takes to fix the problem, I'd need to know which port to open - I haven't a clue what ports there are, nor which ones do what.

So - thanks for the references, I'm learning things about Firewall, etc., but so far, my basic problem (wife can't print directly) is still unsolved.


-------

For information :-

Next week I have to travel - I'll be offline from Monday till, probably, Saturday. If this thing is still running, I'll be glad to come back to it, then.

 

maybe this will help
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...rinter_diag/&lang=en&softwareitem=oj-108450-1

 

Can you clear all the print jobs by cancelling them on her machine?
See if she can print now.
If cancelling is not able to clear the print queue, you can try this procedure -

1. Click Start Orb.

2. Type command in Search box.

3. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator. OK user control prompt.

4. Type net stop spooler then press Enter.

5. Type net start spooler then press Enter.

6. Type exit then press Enter.

See if she can print now.

 

3 advisers - Thanks folks - I appreciate your efforts to help me.

To deal with each, in turn -

-------------------------------
plodr:-

There isn't a 'Public Choices' in Vista - nearest thing, I guess, is Public Folder Sharing. This, along with several other choices in Network and Sharing Center, I cannot turn on. (In particular, I cannot turn ON 'Printer Sharing'.)

I've checked Workgroup name on all 3 computers - all the same at 'WORKGROUP'.

I'd like to attach the printer to the router - I'm sure it might solve the problem. Sadly, though, the printer only has USB connections, and the router has Ethernet connections. Incompatible, I think.

-------------------
unimatrix


Thanks for the suggestion. (HP Print & Scan Doctor) Tried it - no change.

- no help there, sorry!

(Looks useful, tho - for future reference!)

---------------------

lbmest


I cleared backlog on the laptop. Tried a test print - no print.


Did your procedure to stop and restart spooler.

Done - stopped & started
Tried another print - still no go.

(FYI - In Vista, it's necessary to type ''Command Prompt' - not just 'Command'.)

------------------------

Notes

I still have a hunch that what will fix this will be to find a way to turn 'Printer Sharing' ON in the 'Network and Sharing Center'.

I'll be around all day tomorrow (UK time) - then out of touch till, prob, Saturday next.

 

My bad on that as I was in Win7.

Another avenue would be to check on these 4 specific services and their start up state -
SSDP Discovery
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Computer Browser
Server
If not started change start type to Automatic and start service.

To get to services -
Start Orb - type services in Search box
Right Click - Run As Administrator
Double click on specific service to open up and check the start up type.

 

Yes, I guess many of you folks will be on 7 - or even 8! But, I can usually manage to work out something!. No problem. If I have difficulty, I'll just say what happened - let the experts works it out.

Services - I can't 'Run as Administrator' - but I don't think it matters too much - I am sole User, and therefore, I guess, Administrator by default. When I type 'Services' it shows me a list of things, with the program 'Services' at the head. Clicking on it (right or left) only gives 'Open' as the option - no 'Run as Admin.)

SSDP Started Manual
TCP/IP Net BIOS Helper Started Automatic
Computer Browser Automatic *
Server Started Automatic


*(Doesn't say how Computer browser started - just blank - but as browsers run OK, I assume that's OK)

 

I would consider these as final steps if someone else does not come up with a specific fix for the services being turned off or being non-functional.
I am out of ideas.

1) A System Restore back to a point you know your printing was working if there is a date far enough back for that. (Keep in mind doing a back up of documents and information as an "insurance policy".)
2) A repair install of Vista. (Same proviso as above.)

 

I have System Restore points back to 29th Sept last.

Going to bed now - I propose Restoring tomorrow morning, back to that date. I believe, if necessary, I could subsequently restore to a date in the not-so-distant past. Please leave me a note if this isn't wise?

As for a Repair Instal of Vista - I do have the Installation disc -but dunno how to do a repair-install, nor what the implications are.

SO, unless someone else has a bright idea, it's a System Restore tomorrow morning, after a night's sleep.

Thanks for sticking with this so far. I do appreciate it

 

Thanks, lbmest and plodr - for your continued help.

I'm busy getting ready to be away from home for a week, so I won't do any more just now. I don't want to embark on anything when I might be pushed for time, or distracted by other things.

Meantime, System restore - any reason not to go back to the earliest restore point I have available? That way, I get the best chance to get back before this problem hit me.

If it comes to 'Repair Install' - I have the original disk, but I'll welcome guidance on how to use it. Would I still have access to all my files, documents, past emails, installed programs, etc?

plodr - your gadget looks interesting, but my HP Deskjet 2480 is an all-in-one - the spec of the gadget makes it look like I might lose the non-print functions. I've emailed the makers for guidance, I'll see what they say when I return.

Thanks again, I hope we can get to the bottom of this. All being well, I'll be back on Saturday next.

 

I had to jog my memory on Vista and the repair install procedure is quite a bit different from the XP repair install with numerous conditions that may make it a non-viable option.
Please take a look at this tutorial to see if you meet the conditions - http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

 

Sorry - I was away on holiday - but fell ill immediately on return. Improving now.

I've tried a Restore - to the earliest Restore point - no change.

I did a little research, and found reference to 'System File Checker' - which I ran ( http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833). It produced a voluminous report, which means nothing to me, but no change.

It rather looks to me as if I may have only two options left - 1) live with this problem (inability of other computers on this LAN to print) or 2) do a complete 'clean' reinstall (I do have the original Windows Vista disc) and transfer over as much as I can of files, documents, programs, etc.

It this right? Is this the end of the road,for this problem of mine?