Cannot connect to Brother MFC-240c network printer from Windows 7 computer

Anonymous

The base computer of my network that is directly connected to the internet and my router is a Windows Vista (32bit) machine. My computer is connected through the network to access the internet and the printer connected to the base computer. My computer was also running Vista and the networking worked fine.

I have installed Windows 7 (64-bit, not by option, did it automatically) on my computer, and now I cannot connect to the printer on the Vista machine. I can access the internet (although it is substantially slower than when I had vista) and the shared files on the base computer, but I cannot setup the printer. The printer is a Brother MFC-240c

If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You

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Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

I am assuming you are getting an error stating that the print driver for 64bit is not installed in the Vista machine. You can either install a 64bit driver that has the same name as the x86 print driver on the Win7 machine and reattempt the connection, install the 64bit driver that has the same name onto the Vista machine (for other 64bit machines) but this is more difficult.

You can also configure the machine to check on Windows Update for a print driver that has the same name as the 32bit print driver. If gpedit.mcs launches for the Windows version you have.

Computer Configuration

Administrive templates

Printers

Extend point and print connection to search windows update

If there is no matching driver name, you cannot make an RPC connection but you can create an SMB connection. Search for Local Port. There are many posts on this.

Alan Morris Windows Printing Team Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base here: http://support.microsoft.com/search/Default.aspx?adv=1

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Anonymous

To share a network printer being hosted by a computer running a 32 bit operating system with another computer running a 32 bit operating system, Vista or XP, you would go to Control Panel > ‘Printers’ > ‘Add Printer’ > ‘Add a network printer’. Apologies if you consider that I am stating the obvious.

Sharing a printer being hosted by a computer running 32 bit Vista or XP with a computer running 64 bit Vista is not obvious, because if you use the above method, it will not work.

So how? First, you need to know the name of the computer which hosts the printer, and the name of the printer to be shared.

Sitting at the host computer: The procedure is the same for Vista and XP

Start > My Computer > Properties > Computer Name tab > Change button. Write down the name that you see here because this is the computer name.

Start > Settings > Printers and Faxes > Right click on the printer to be shared > Properties > Sharing tab. Write down the name that you see here because this is the printer name.

OK. Now sit in front of the Vista 64 computer:

Start > Control Panel > Printers > Add printer > Add a local printer > Click on ‘Create a new port’ > ‘Local Port’ > ‘Next’.

The port name will look like this: \Computer name\printer name

So enter the names already retrieved, ensuring that you use the same format, then click ‘OK’.

At this point, you will be presented with the ‘Add New Hardware’ process. You can either select the make and model of your printer from the lists or insert your printer installation disk if you can’t find yours. The printer will be added, and you should be able to print a test page.

Mike Hall MVP - Windows Desktop Experience http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

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76 additional answers

Anonymous

2011-09-04T19:49:34+00:00

Im trying hook up a HP Officejet 8500 Pro to my laptop. Everyone else in the household can connect, but me!
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Anonymous

2011-09-04T19:48:29+00:00

My issue is the same except both systems are running Windows 7
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Anonymous

2011-08-11T17:50:08+00:00

I almost forget to list the problem that I had.

HP Photosmart 7660 Photo Printer

just about everyone has had one from one time or another. It is still a kick but printer and we own about 3 of them. It is solid and dependable and works great for the home and small office jobs.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?cc=us&dlc=en&lang=en&lc=en&product=305364&

I have my home network with a dell-8200, with Windows XP-Pro 32bit SP3. I have all the computers in the house to print to the "Home server" I also use it to handle all out media, so it also doubles duty as a Media Server.

So, when I got my Windows 7 HP laptop, I could not get the printer to work no matter how I tried at first. Even HP's techs were kind of lost as well. The forums are ripe with this kind of stuff.

Also, I was able to get it working locally, but could not get it to work over a network printer sharing via any of my XP 32bit systems. No matter what workaround I tried to do, I just could not get it to work.

So out of the blue, I had some time and decided to do some research hardcore to see what has been done about it. And I ended up here and found Mike's posting about how to get it to work.

I was amazed at how easy he made it. Only thing that was missing was pictures!

Now I can print over the network and not have to hook up my other HP printer that I solely purchased to use with my windows 7 computer on a USB basis only.

The pain is gone. I no longer have to keep the other printer hooked up, or anything. It is great!

Not only am I saving money, I am doing something that is Legitimately GREEN! and eco friendly.

if you have a HP 7600 series printer, You no longer have to buy a new one just to print out simple word documents.

Thank you Mike!

imickey503
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