Windows 7 can't find driver for shared printer hp LaserJet 3380

Anonymous
2010-01-04T18:55:42+00:00

When I try to add a shared printer to my Windows 7 laptop, as a network printer, Windows 7 successfully locates it on the network, but I get the following error messages:

Windows can't find a driver for hp LaserJet 3380 PCL 6.

The file '*.INF' on (Unknown) is needed.

The printer is attached to an XP desktop pc on my home network.

I tried attaching the printer locally via USB to the Windows 7 laptop and successfully loaded the printer drivers and I printed to it. But when I reconnected the printer to the XP computer I got the error messages again.

This is shared, not a network, printer, so attempting to set it up with the TCP-IP option does not work.

Printing to this printer was successful under Vista. I did a clean install of Windows 7.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Jim

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2010-01-04T20:04:01+00:00

The 32bit driver name is different than the 64bit driver name.  You will need to create a Local Port which will basically copy the print formated data to the xpmachine share.

Here's the KB how to perform this task

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/282842

on Windows 7

Add Printer

Local Printer

Add Local Port

\XPMACHINE\printersharename    (Make the share name one word or you have to "" quote the whole thing)

Select the driver installed when you connected the device to USB

complete the wizard

print test page.

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

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-01-06T21:29:19+00:00

    WRITEFILE to the share is failing.  This typically indicates a security issue.  It can be caused by firewalls and anti virus software that change security attributes.

    I'd start by verifing that an IPC$ share exists, Share folders in Computer management, and that everyone has write access to the spool directory typically c:\windows\system32\spool\printers

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-01-06T20:59:00+00:00

    Alan,

    I followed instructions of Article ID: 282842 hoping this would solve my problem:

    Host platform with W7-64 having local attached Brother HL1440 ptr on Homegroup with several XP machines (The HL1440 was prior installed to one of these XPs).  When trying to install HL1440 as network printer at a XP system I am prompted to install driver which I can’t get, find, etc.

    I installed the local ptr with port to host, like your article,  but when I try to print I get, after spooling, Status =Error Printing.

    Do you have any suggestion?

    Thanks, George

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-01-04T21:11:09+00:00

    My problem is similar.

    Win7 32 bit laptop connected with USB to Epson Photo Stylus 870 and print ok

    Win7 64bit eeebox when I try to print to shared printer it cannot find drivers on the network.

    Is it possible to set up without connecting the printer directly to the eeebox. It's a hassle unlocking the printer security cable, etc.

    If not, is it a similar procedure to map a port or is there another way to do it.

    Thanks,

    Brent Cowgill

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-11-02T17:25:29+00:00

    Alan, You are my new hero. I have been so frustrated with trying to use the printers on my network thst I almost bought  a new printer for my laptop.  Thanks to this quick easy fix, I saved a couple hundred dollars. Thank you!

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