I wanted to connect the Canon printer on my Win XP computer to My Win 7 computer via my home network. I first shared the printer on Win XP then tried to install it on Win 7. I selected install via network and saw the printer, but then it said that it couldn't find the driver on the network.
A search on the Canon website revealed that the printer driver is installed via Windows Update, and not available for download. I connected the printer directly to Win 7, invoked update and the driver was installed. I printed a test page.
I reconnected the printer to Win XP and tried to install via network once again. Same story: can't find driver.
I first tried to lodge a request by email via the Canon web page, but despite numerous attempts, after filling in personal info and typing the squiggy security code, the page refused to move on.
I then rang Canon, and after pushing the various navigation buttons for service I was greeted with stoney silence. I tried this a few times and eventually pushed different buttons and got a human on sales. He said that a Win 7 driver was available from a supply company. I rang them, but they only had drivers for Win XP.
I then rang Canon again, and this time the phone service worked properly, and I got someone in support. He said that the Win 7 driver is supplied by Microsoft and it only supports direct USB connection. I should take the matter up with Microsoft.
After some time searching on the web site I eventually found a phone number for Microsoft in Australia. I rang there and after giving my personal details and ID number for the computer I was told that since this was a networking issue, there would be a charge for service. Since I didn't want to pay and be told that there was no suitable driver available, I elected not to do that.
I then searched on the internet looking at forum postings until I eventually found one that helped. It may be some bug in Win 7 printer installation wizard, but the trick is to not install as a network printer, but as a local printer, where the printer location is the network name. After doing that, it worked!!!
The procedure may be applicable for other printers too, so I give a summary of the steps I took, but no doubt there may be other ways:
1 First connect the printer to the Win 7 computer via USB.
2 Invoke Windows update and find the update that installs the printer driver. Print a test page if you like.
3 Reconnect the printer to the Win XP computer and make sure that the printer is shared.
4 On Win 7, invoke the install printer wizard (Start > Devices and Printers > Add a printer).
5 Select "Add a network ... printer" to confirm that the printer is accessible via the network.
6 Note the printer name and path (\\XP-computer-name\printer-name).
7 Cancel that step and select "Add a printer" again.
8 This time, select "Add a local printer"
9 Select Create a new port > Local Port.
10 When it asks for port name, enter the name as noted in step 6, and click OK.
11 Select the driver as installed earlier.
A search on the Canon website revealed that the printer driver is installed via Windows Update, and not available for download. I connected the printer directly to Win 7, invoked update and the driver was installed. I printed a test page.
I reconnected the printer to Win XP and tried to install via network once again. Same story: can't find driver.
I first tried to lodge a request by email via the Canon web page, but despite numerous attempts, after filling in personal info and typing the squiggy security code, the page refused to move on.
I then rang Canon, and after pushing the various navigation buttons for service I was greeted with stoney silence. I tried this a few times and eventually pushed different buttons and got a human on sales. He said that a Win 7 driver was available from a supply company. I rang them, but they only had drivers for Win XP.
I then rang Canon again, and this time the phone service worked properly, and I got someone in support. He said that the Win 7 driver is supplied by Microsoft and it only supports direct USB connection. I should take the matter up with Microsoft.
After some time searching on the web site I eventually found a phone number for Microsoft in Australia. I rang there and after giving my personal details and ID number for the computer I was told that since this was a networking issue, there would be a charge for service. Since I didn't want to pay and be told that there was no suitable driver available, I elected not to do that.
I then searched on the internet looking at forum postings until I eventually found one that helped. It may be some bug in Win 7 printer installation wizard, but the trick is to not install as a network printer, but as a local printer, where the printer location is the network name. After doing that, it worked!!!
The procedure may be applicable for other printers too, so I give a summary of the steps I took, but no doubt there may be other ways:
1 First connect the printer to the Win 7 computer via USB.
2 Invoke Windows update and find the update that installs the printer driver. Print a test page if you like.
3 Reconnect the printer to the Win XP computer and make sure that the printer is shared.
4 On Win 7, invoke the install printer wizard (Start > Devices and Printers > Add a printer).
5 Select "Add a network ... printer" to confirm that the printer is accessible via the network.
6 Note the printer name and path (\\XP-computer-name\printer-name).
7 Cancel that step and select "Add a printer" again.
8 This time, select "Add a local printer"
9 Select Create a new port > Local Port.
10 When it asks for port name, enter the name as noted in step 6, and click OK.
11 Select the driver as installed earlier.