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I have a computer with win xp 32 bit that I have in a network with a computer with a Canon ip4200 printer that is on the windows 7 home 64 bit computer. I can see the shared files on both of the computers, but I can not get the printer(the printer is installed on the win7 home 64 bit computer) to work with the xp 32 bit computer. The win 7 64 bit computer will not install 32 bit drivers, but I installed the 32 bit xp driver on the win xp machine but just can not get the xp machine to print through the network to the win 7 home 64 bit computer. Do I install this through a port in the printer set up dialog, or how to do this?

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Dani AI

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Good troubleshooting from and a clear problem statement from . The root cause is almost always driver/hosting and how Windows 7 shares printers to older clients: Windows 7 x64 can host 32‑bit (x86) drivers for network clients, but XP cannot use the newer HomeGroup sharing — classic File and Printer Sharing must be used. The following is a concise, practical set of steps that addresses the common gaps (how to add the x86 driver on the 7 host, and how to point XP at the shared printer).

  1. On the Windows 7 (host) machine — install the x86 driver for sharing
  • Log on as an administrator. Open Devices and Printers, right‑click the Canon ip4200 and choose Printer properties -> Sharing. Check "Share this printer" and give a short share name.
  • Click Additional Drivers..., tick the x86 box and supply the Canon XP (32‑bit) driver files when prompted. If the Canon installer is a single EXE, extract or run it on an XP machine and copy the driver .inf/.sys files to the 7 machine before selecting them.
  1. On the XP (client) machine — connect to the shared printer
  • Use Add a Printer -> Network Printer and browse or select "The printer that I want isn't listed" -> "Select a shared printer by name" and enter the UNC path, for example:
    \\WIN7-PC\Canon_ip4200
  • If the printer is not listed, use Add a local printer -> Create a new port -> Local Port and enter the same UNC path, then install the Canon XP driver (Have Disk if necessary).
  1. Quick troubleshooting checklist
  • Ensure Network location on Win7 is Home/Work (not Public) and File and Printer Sharing is enabled in Advanced Sharing Settings.
  • Make sure Print Spooler and Server services are running on the host.
  • If access is blocked, either create a matching local user/password on the Win7 machine for the XP login or temporarily turn off Password Protected Sharing (short term only).
  • Temporarily disable the Windows firewall (or explicitly allow "File and Printer Sharing") and any third‑party firewall to test. If name resolution fails, use the host IP in the UNC path (\192.168.x.x\ShareName).
  • Check printer Security/Permissions on the host to allow printing for the connecting user or Everyone (as appropriate).

If these steps are followed the XP client will either download the x86 driver from the Win7 host or prompt for the driver—both are normal behavior.

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Member Avatar for mjdodd

make sure that both computers have the right printer driver. make sure the firewalls and network settings allow communication. I use the same identity and same password for both machiunies and have two printer on a

Member Avatar for mjdodd

oops sorry to continue, I use the same ID and password login on both machines and as an administrator! Check that the printer is set up for sharing!
The win 64 computer should install 32 bit drivers as it has a separate system for this even if you have the 64 bit ones;
worth tryiung taking down the firewall as I had similiar problems with third ubuntu machine and it was the firewall blocking it.
M

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