Can someone out there please help me? I have a desktop computer with Windows Vista installed. I have connected an USB Virtual Network printer to the desktop. The desktop does not have any problems printing to the printer. The problem I am having is I am trying to print from my laptop that has Vista installed on it.

I was able to install the printer on my laptop but I am unable to print. The printer port on the laptop is showing the IP address of the desktop but the printer port on the desktop is showing the USB Virtual port. When I try to print a test page from the laptop the network printer "Ready" button turns from "Green to Yellow". After I press the button the light turns "Green" but I receive an error indicator next to the printer icon on the laptop printer properties.

To sum everything up I cannot print from my laptop and I cannot figure out how to configure the laptop printer port to have the same port as the desktop. I hope I explained the situation clearly so someone out there can give me some assistance. I tried to find a solution on Google but nothing out there could offer me any solution. If someone could help me I would really appreciate it.

Thanks,

bdthomas02

You have to have simple file and printer sharing enabled on the desktop and I think the lapyop as well.

Vista, by default does not enable the simple file and printer sharing like XP does.

File and Printer Sharing in Windows Vista

The File sharing is enabled. I went to the Microsoft website and followed the instructions concerning the File sharing. I still cannot print from my laptop. How can I tell if the printer is on the network and how can I tell if my desktop can communicate with my laptop? One more question, if my desktop is communicating with the printer via USB port which port should I select in order for the laptop to communicate with the printer?

Thanks,

bdthomas02