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Windows XP can connect to Network printer, but Windows 7 PC's can't!!

Hi guys,

We've got a ricoh aficio mp5000 installed on our server 2003 and recently had the drivers updated. Ever since then, all the windows XP machines can connect, but windows 7 can't at all. It gives an error message like 'Windows Can't Connect to Printer' with a red cross. I'm so confused.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Stocker06

There are separate drivers for Windows XP and Windows 7. The driver on the server may be for WinXP only. On the Windows 7 machines, you can install the printer manually by IP address using the Windows 7 driver found here: http://www.ricoh-usa.com/downloads/popup/popup_manuals_drivers_download.aspx?path=http://support.ricoh.com/bb/html/dr_ut_e/rc2/model/mp40/mp40en.htm.

rrb31337

Do you have drivers for the printer for Windows 7? Did you install them? Typically you load the drivers for all of your client OSs onto the server and they automagically propagate the first time you try to use the printer - maybe the server is sending the wrong driver because it doesn't know about Win 7, or maybe you're running x86_64 and the server has 32 bit drivers only. Perhaps you should delete and re-add the printer based on the UNC, i.e. \\servername\printername or browse to it, so that Win 7 forces you to specify the driver location.

Yashy

ASKER

Thanks guys, however how do you just load them onto the server? DOn't I have to add another printer on the same IP address that is the same make/model but just with the windows 7 drivers?

Thanks

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Yashy

ASKER

I've added like every single PCL driver for WIndows 7 for this particular model. Still when I try to connect to the printer via the Windows 7 machine, I'm getting 'WIndows Can't connect to the printer'.

I'm accessing the server by IP 10.0.0.55, then where the printer is listed I'm double clicking ont it. That doesn't work. Then I've tried adding a printer the conventional way and still it doesn't load the drivers and says can't connect.

Any ideas?

SOLUTION

Stocker06

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Yashy

ASKER

Okay, I can ONLY seem to make it work on Windows 7 machines by installing it locally. But then, that's crazy as if we start migrating towards Windows 7 with more and more PC's, then we have to install it every time locally. That's just nuts!

I've installed all drivers on the Server 2003, but still can't seem to be able to install it via the network. Insane!

Stocker06

Is there an error code associated with the "can't connect" message? Check the event log of the Win7 PC. Also, does it happen to all of your Windows 7 clients with all printers or just that single client and that particular printer?

Yashy

ASKER

Managed to get it working guys. Go to Devices and Printers, then add printer. Make sure you select, add local printer, create new port (select 'local port'), then add the UNC name of the printer and select the drivers. You're done.

It's so ridiculous though. Either way, it's not the greatest method of all time but works so that's what I have to do with until we find another way:(.

Thanks for all the helpers, really appreciate it.
Yashy