How to print to a shared Windows printer

by Intoit

Source: PCLinuxOS Forums

I've read a few posts about setting up a printer connected to a Windows box. Having the printer connected to the windows box is an easy way to share a printer on a home network. The following methods have worked for me and hopefully it will help someone else. This is for XP systems, but it may work for Vista as well.

How to set up a printer in a Windows XP Workgroup.

This tutorial will show you how to set up your printer from PCLOS and also assumes that you have installed PCLinuxOS, have your home network setup, that you can communicate between your windows computers and your Linux computers and also that your printer is connected to one of the Windows computers in your home network.

On the Windows machine

  • Make sure your printer is turned on. Next, you will need to set your printer to share.
  • Go to "Start -> Control Panel -> Printers and Faxes"
  • Select your printer and right click on the Icon. This will give you a pop-up window.
  • Select Sharing. Another window will pop up.
  • Select the Sharing tab.
  • Select Share this printer and enter a share name. (You will need this name later so you should write it down).
  • Press OK
  • Use the back arrow (<) to get back to the Control Panel. Select "System -> Computer Name". Make a note of the Workgroup (write it down, you will need it).
  • Next, we need the IP address of the windows computer. Make sure you are plugged into your network.
  • Go to "Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Command Prompt"
  • In the pop-up window type "ipconfig" and press enter
  • In the window you will see a line that reads:
    • IP Address.............:192.168.x.xxx

    Write this number down (you will need it later).

  • Type "exit" to close the window

On the Linux (PCLinuxOS 2007) computer

  • Open PCLinuxOS Control Center
  • Go to "Hardware -> Set up the printer(s)"
  • Select Add a new printer to the system
  • Check the box beside "Auto detect printers connected to machines running Microsoft Windows"
  • Press Next
  • After searching, you will be presented with the printer choices, select the appropriate printer.
  • Press Next
  • Printerdrake will search for the appropriate driver.
  • Select the correct model and press Next
  • A pop-up appears asking if you want to set the printer as default.
  • Make your choice and press Next
  • The next window will be for printing the test page.
    Make your choice and press Next
  • In the next window choose Yes or No
  • Press Next
    Congratulations, you should now have a printer on your network.
  • Press Finish

How to set up a printer in a Windows XP Workgroup using KDE.

Windows Machine

  • Make sure your printer is turned on.
  • Next, you will need to set your printer to share.
  • Go to "Start -> Control Panel -> Printers and Faxes"
  • Select your printer and right click on the Icon. This will give you a pop-up window.
  • Select Sharing. Another window will pop up.
  • Select the Sharing tab.
  • Select Share this printer and enter a share name. (You will need this name later so maybe write it down).
  • Press OK
  • Use the back arrow to get back to the Control Panel. Select "System -> Computer Name". Make a note of the Workgroup (write it down, you will need it).
  • Next, we need the IP address of the windows computer. Make sure you are plugged into your network.
  • Go to "Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Command Prompt".
  • In the pop-up window type "ipconfig" and press enter.
  • In the window you will see a line that reads:
    • IP Address.............:192.168.x.xxx.
  • Write this number down (you will need it later). Type exit to close the window

On the PCLinuxOS computer

  • Open KDE Control Center
  • Go to "Peripherals -> Printers"
  • Select Administration tab
  • Enter your Root password
  • Select Add. The printer configuration window will appear.
  • Press Next
  • Select SMB shared printer (Windows)
  • Press Next
  • I always use -Normal account- and enter root as user. I haven't encountered any problems going this route.
  • Press Next
  • Here we enter the information gathered previously. Workgroup name, IP address, Printer share name.
  • Press Next
  • KDE will build the printer driver database. This takes a little time, be patient.
  • Here you select your printer manufacturer and model. (this is assuming that you don't require any special drivers)
  • Press Next
  • You can now test your install. Select the Test button. If all went well you should have a test page printing in a few seconds.
  • Press "Next -> Next -> Next". The next few windows are some configuration windows. I usually leave them at the defaults, you can set them to your personal preferences.
  • Give your printer a name.
  • Press Next.
  • This is a summary of your configuration. Once you are satisfied, press Finish.

Congratulations, you have a network printer configuration.
Enjoy

distrowatch

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