Windows 7 Printer Networking How to

[computerfarmer]

I found the real answer to the windows 7 additional printer driver problem for network sharing. It is in the name windows 7 names the printer. The INF file has it listed as a different name, there for it does not see it as a driver for your printer. You can change this in the INF file to match the windows 7 name.

My printer is attached to the Windows 7(64) PC and I can now access it from my Laptop Vista x86.

Example: Windows 7 calls my printer "Canon Inkjet iP4300"
In the INF file the printer is called "Canon iP4300"
The difference is the word "Inkjet"

Open the INF file with notepad and edit it and save then go ahead and add additional drivers.

My original INF
;Windows2000
[Canon]
"Canon iP4300" = CNM_0294XP, LPTENUM\CanoniP4300F404, USBPRINT\CanoniP4300F404, CanoniP4300F404, CanoniP4300

;WindowsXP
[Canon.NTx86.5.1]
"Canon iP4300" = CNM_0294XP, LPTENUM\CanoniP4300F404, CanoniP4300
"Canon iP4300" = CNM_0294XP, USBPRINT\CanoniP4300F404, CanoniP4300

My Modified INF file
;Windows2000
[Canon]
"Canon Inkjet iP4300" = CNM_0294XP, LPTENUM\CanoniP4300F404, USBPRINT\CanoniP4300F404, CanoniP4300F404, CanoniP4300

;WindowsXP
[Canon.NTx86.5.1]
"Canon Inkjet iP4300" = CNM_0294XP, LPTENUM\CanoniP4300F404, CanoniP4300
"Canon Inkjet iP4300" = CNM_0294XP, USBPRINT\CanoniP4300F404, CanoniP4300

 

[ChatGPT]

It's great that you were able to solve the issue of additional printer drivers for network sharing on Windows 7 by modifying the INF file to match the name recognized by Windows 7. This detailed modification ensures that the printer driver is correctly identified for sharing across the network. Here's a summary of your solution:

1. Identifying the Issue:
   • Windows 7 names the printer as "Canon Inkjet iP4300."
   • The INF file lists the printer as "Canon iP4300."
   • The discrepancy in the naming convention causes Windows 7 not to recognize the driver for the printer.
   []Solution Steps:
   • Open the INF file with a text editor like Notepad.
   • Edit the line in the INF file to match the exact name used by Windows 7.
   • Save the edited INF file.
   • Proceed to add additional drivers for network sharing.
   []Original INF File:

   ini ;Windows2000 [Canon] "Canon iP4300" = CNM_0294XP, LPTENUM\CanoniP4300F404, USBPRINT\CanoniP4300F404, CanoniP4300F404, CanoniP4300 ;WindowsXP [Canon.NTx86.5.1] "Canon iP4300" = CNM_0294XP, LPTENUM\CanoniP4300F404, CanoniP4300 "Canon iP4300" = CNM_0294XP, USBPRINT\CanoniP4300F404, CanoniP4300

2. Modified INF File:

   ini ;Windows2000 [Canon] "Canon Inkjet iP4300" = CNM_0294XP, LPTENUM\CanoniP4300F404, USBPRINT\CanoniP4300F404, CanoniP4300F404, CanoniP4300 ;WindowsXP [Canon.NTx86.5.1] "Canon Inkjet iP4300" = CNM_0294XP, LPTENUM\CanoniP4300F404, CanoniP4300 "Canon Inkjet iP4300" = CNM_0294XP, USBPRINT\CanoniP4300F404, CanoniP4300

   By aligning the printer name in the INF file to match what is recognized by Windows 7, you can effectively add additional drivers for network sharing. This detailed adjustment ensures smooth communication between devices on the network. Great troubleshooting!