XP Printer Sharing Setup Wizard Error

First, don't use the Connection Wizard.  It is inherently a trouble maker, and it is always best to do this manually.  The problem lies with getting the MAC to cooperate (but I am not a MAC user, so my opinion is a little...  well, you know..  :)

Anyway, here are some articles I keep in hand when I have to deal with MACs...:

Network your home PC and Mac - An Overview

http://www.homepcnetwork.com/pcmacovrf.htm

https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21310443/Share-a-printer-between-xp-and-osx.html#13725540

Basic sharing is pretty easy with an XP box, but I have written a page on troubleshooting P2P, and it should provide you with some useful information:

http://65.24.134.81/KipSolutions/P2PNetworks/TroubleshootingP2P.htm

Thanks for the post. I'd be happy to setup the printer sharing manually, but don't know where to begin. Can you direct?

Also, I went to the links, and they look like they can help some eventually, but not just yet at this stage. One thing that might help is to know how to ping from a Mac. Any idea? I can't tell if the Mac is seeing the Dell or not at this point.

But if you point me in the right direction on manual printer sharing setup, then hopefully I can get some traction there.

Thanks much.

Here is a MAC article on PING and where to find it..

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=152374

To share a printer on XP, just open the printer's properties window and select the sharing tab, then share it...  Chk the permissions button, and select Everyone - Full Control...

That should start you in the right direction..

FE

Thanks for the info on pinging a mac. I have confirmed that the Dell and the iMac can ping one another and the printers have properly been shared. This is a great start.

I know you said you weren't a mac user, but any idea how I "see" the printers supposedly available to it now? I'm not seeing anything different. I've tried setting the printer IP address to the Dell's and going that route, but that doesn't seem to do it either.

Any further lead would be *most* welcome.

thanks.

Looks like you use something called Printer Setup Utility..  :)

the Apple site has lots of articles on this...

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301397

http://search.info.apple.com/?search=Go&lr=lang_en&kword=&q=Printer%20Setup%20Utility

Okay, we're close but still not there. Since the iMac is running OS-X 10.2.8, I get a different option. Instead of "Printer Setup Utility", I have to use the "Print Center."

When I choose Add Printer, I get a dropdown list of:
AppleTalk
Directory Services
IP Printing
Rendezvous
USB
(space)
Epson AppleTalk
Epson Firewire
Epson USB
Faxstf
Lexmark Inkjet Networking

I've tried going through all of these, and nothing seems like what I should be finding. I even tried pinging the Dell and putting in the IP address under the IP Printing option, but that didn't seem to do it.

Ideas? Again, I know you're not a Mac-guy, but any leads at all are most welcome here...

Thanks.

Well, IP Printing would mean to me a Networked Printer, but one that has an IP Address bound to it.  This would be one that is TCP/IP enabled, like a jetdirect HP.  So I doubt whether it would work..

I guess the next one I would look at carefully would be Directory Services.  This is just a guess, but that sounds like an area of interest.  What do you find if you go with that one?  :)

FE

Okay, I've given that a shot (as well as played around more in the IP printer options...). The Directory Services option pulls up a Name/Location box with a Printer Model scroll at the bottom. But it's all grayed out and nothing is available to edit or change.

Any other ideas?

And thanks, btw!

rb

Do you have an Apple Store near you?  Whenever I cannot help friends that are running MACs, they usualy stop by the Apple Help Bar and get the answers.  (usually call me right afterwards to gloat, too!  :)

I have scoured the docs on the Apple site and they don't have much about the 10.2.8 OS version...  I believe that Directory Services is what you want, but just don't know how to configure it so it sees the network resources...

BTW:  I bet if you asked this question in the MAC area, they may provide some good info too!

https://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/Macintosh/

Thanks for all the help and direction. I, too, have tried finding a reference to 10.2.X, but everything seems geared to 10.3+.

I hadn't considered the apple store, so that's an idea to put into the mix. As I type, I'm actually on hold right now for an apple tech support call in the interim. Maybe they can actually help unravel this mess? We'll see...

I have also tried the Mac Networking area, too. (https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21534831/Connect-iMac-to-Windows-XP-printer-s.html) It seems that I ran into a dead end, there, too.

Hopefully the tech call will take care of it.. Otherwise it looks like I'll have to hard-wire or upgrade the Mac OS if the Apple Store folks don't have a magic bullet.

BTW, I saw from one of your earlier links that you've got an IT consulting gig in Columbus. If you were in Pittsburgh, I'd hire you in an instant for my office. Ah, well. When you decide to expand someday, maybe?

Any other ideas/input remain most welcome. Thanks again.

rb

*grin*  thanks for the offer..  If I ever decide to expand, or move east, I will drop you a line!

BTW:  be sure to let me know if they have the answer for you...  I think it will come in handy if I can actually troubleshoot this MAC attack!

according to apple, OS X 10.2.X cannot wifi to any printer at all. thus the trouble. now they tell me. argh. (they also said many are asking about switching down to 10.3 from 10.4, fyi. seems 10.4 is a little finicky with lots of applications...)

someone on the Mac Networking page has just suggested configuring the printer through the belkin router setup page. seems logical, but what would the IP address of the printer be if it's not the ping of the dell, which I tried previously? or am I barking up the wrong tree?

I'm suspecting hard-wiring is my only option. that will work fine with the HP 6110 which is USB. but the LaserJet 6MP is parallel or serial port only. is there some sort of USB/parallel port converter that exists that actually works? (I tried one previously, but it did nothing...)

at least these aren't specifically mac-based questions again, right?!

thanks.

>>someone on the Mac Networking page has just suggested configuring the printer through the belkin router setup page. seems logical, but what would the IP address of the printer be if it's not the ping of the dell, which I tried previously? or am I barking up the wrong tree?<<

Yes, I just don't see how that would work, since this is not a true 'network' printer that holds its own IP Address...

>>is there some sort of USB/parallel port converter that exists that actually works? (I tried one previously, but it did nothing...<<

No, not that I know of...  I have never used one before, so have no recommendations on that..

>>at least these aren't specifically mac-based questions again, right?!<<

True, but I do not have a good answer for either of these!  :)

I will tell you that my MAC friends have all upgrated to version 10.3 by now, some to .4   They all tell me that the upgrade is worth the pain, so you might consider doing this worthwhile...

Okay, so I'm back to hard wired. That's what I thought.

I considered the upgrade, but the printer connection is the primary reason to do it, and it's cheaper/easier just to hard wire. plus, I'd need some convincing that I wouldn't spend some days again trying to get the configuration right under 10.3/.4. as you well know, we've spent many hours trying to put this beast into place. I think I'll cut my losses for now and upgrade some other day.

thanks again for the guidance. fyi, I'm awarding the points all the same. it certainly wasn't for lack of effort or support. it turned out to be apple after all of this.

and remember, be sure to let me know if you expand to pittsburgh!

rb

quick side question:

is there such thing as an adapter for the USB port that allows 2 USB cords to plug into it? (sort of like the phone line plugs that do this.) or do I have to manually switch the cord between the dell and the iMac at the printer each time?

hey, I wouldn't be out trolling for advice if it was easy now, would I?

thanks. this looks like what I'm thinking of.

really appreciate all the help.

rb

*grin*  Just when compared to working on the MAC issue, I mean!

Thanks, and come back in if you need any more help!

FE

believe me, I will. thanks again for all the help.