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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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

Was this answer helpful?

10+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

59 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2010-02-03T05:38:27+00:00

    This is an authentication issue with the machine sharing the printer.  CreateFile is failing in the network layer.

    Install a 32 bit Windows 7 driver onto the XP machine.  Create a printer that uses that driver and set it up to the same USB or LPT port and share it out.  Make the connection to that shared printer.

    Or follow the Windows 7 recommendation on setting up a home network.  There are several resources before you got the the forums page.

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

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2010-02-03T14:13:22+00:00

    I experienced the same problem at the same network hardware and software with my Brother HL  730 laser printer. The solution below worked perfect. Thanks for this idee. This site is now at my favorites

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2010-02-03T15:31:45+00:00

    My answer deals with the solution of Alan Moris MSFT of monday, januari 04, 2010. So creating a local port

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2010-07-09T19:27:34+00:00

    We are in July 2010 and they still haven't updated the driver. Thanks for your help on that

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments