printer sharing snd permissions

I have had to reinstall XP pro and all programs, including my Linksys broadband router used to network to another of my computers in order to share the DSL connection. The network connection works well and I can connect with the second computer (also using XP but MCE) which I will call "library". Connection is strong and stable. I have shared my Canon MX870 printer installed in "office" with library and can print using my office installed and shared Canon. However with library the "preview before printing" option is greyed out and unchecked. Previously on my system before I reinstalled I was able to enable the preview before printing option on library and of course it would always preview first. But now with the reinstalled system I can't get that preview (and/or any other permissions available for library) and I can't remember how I managed to enable library before to preview before printing. I have checked the Canon to preview in the office as well as any printers that are showing in library but the preview remains greyed out in library. I have tried instructions found on the internet to enable "permissions" for library but always run into problems because screens or instructions shown on the internet do not all match my system screens so I don't have those options. Will I have to cancel my sharing and reinstall a new printer sharing configuration? Or what else can I do? Anyone know?

 

Thanks Major Attitude, yes all updates had been done and in fact IE 8 is the MS browser (if and when I use IE) but I have FF10 as default browser on both computers (office where MX870 is installed and library where network MX870 printer is). And as far as Canon Easy Web Print is concerned there are no read me notes in the Canon folder that refer to preview or preview before printing or for adding ports, etc.
Also, all plugins are up to date on both IE and FF and Easy Web Print toolbar is in fact installed on IE8 with all the "web print" permissions and access choices when they are needed. But to be clear, whether I am using IE or FF browsers on the OFFICE computer where MX870 is installed, I have no problems with preview before printing (it's done automatically because that's the way I have it set in properties), or with any other permissions for MX870 IN THE OFFICE. The problem is with LIBRARY where I can't set preview before printing because it's greyed out in (network printer) properties there.

With regard to this problem happening before as you say, whatever I did to enable "preview before printing" on the shared printer in LIBRARY had nothing to do with the things you list or recommend. To my best recollection all I did before was to make sure preview before printing was checked in properties everywhere it was needed. I just can't remember if there was any sequence or procedure to do that so that preview before printing was checked in LIBRARY printer properties, and I suspect that if that was all that was necessary before, it does not work now because the printer sharing on network installation is somehow different or lacking(?????).

Added note about browsers I use...before when I was able to preview before printing on both OFFICE and shared LIBRARY printer I was also using FF as default browser the same as now. I have never used any version of IE browser permanently.

 

Still need an answer, but still working on my own. I uninstalled the MX870 printer and reinstalled it, then shared it again on my home network. This time in LIBRARY the "preview before printing" box is checked but there is still no preview so LIBRARY still proceeds to print without any preview. Anyone? :tired

 

OK, so I finally called Canon telephone support which I still have within my one year warranty period for this MX870. I was told by the nice technician that I was just lucky to get "
preview before printing" working on the LIBRARY computer which is a shared on my network connection. He tells me that sometimes that will work and sometimes it won't because the network is Microsoft (not a Canon) software and that the only people that could get all printer preferences working is Microsoft. Now from previous experience with Microsoft I do not have much confidence in getting their help without cost. Canon also tells me that because the MX870 is a wireless printer (that can be used with a USB connection instead) the shared printer can be set up with a WIFI connection and directly on my network client (LIBRARY) computer. I said let's do it! And we did! Sure enough, now the MX870 operated with all permissions on both. Needless to say this is the first time I have been able to directly enter my printer preferences on LIBRARY computer without any problems. I don't know why I never did that before unless it was because I was getting wary of so many EMF waves flying all around the house and grounds as well as dependent on devices that are not hard wired. But there it is and I hope this solution helps others that might have similar trouble. As far as I'm concerned this problem is solved. Thanks to all who tried to help. :clap