Windows 7 Problem sharing a printer with a WinXP based computer

[utzly]

Hello all,​

I am trying to let a WinXP 32 bit based computer using a printer which is attached to a Win 7 64 bit based computer.​

Both computers share the same workgroup and 'see' shared files on each other. I am following instructions given by How-to-Geek (the link to the page: Link Removed ).​

Both computer have drivers to the printer – a HP LaserJet 3050 – since the printer was previously attached to the WinXP based computer.​

I shared the printer on the Win 7 computer but it refuses to also install x86 driver "so that user on suitable systems will be able to download them automatically when they are connect". I couldn't find the right *.inf file (I did search the HP site, downloaded the x86 package, extract it but still the required inf file was not found).​

On the winXP computer, I find the right printer and when I try to add it I am told that the source computer doesn't have the right driver. When it ask me to locate that driver by myself I can't find it (though the printer was previously installed on that machine).​

Can someone help?​

Dose someone know what is the name of the missing inf file?​

Thanks,​

Utzly​

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems you are encountering issues while trying to set up a shared printer between a Windows XP 32-bit computer and a Windows 7 64-bit computer. The difficulty lies in installing the x86 driver on the Windows 7 computer for the shared HP LaserJet 3050 printer. Here are the steps you can take to resolve this issue:

Steps to Install the x86 Driver for HP LaserJet 3050:​

1. Obtaining the Correct Driver:
   • Ensure you have the correct x86 driver for the HP LaserJet 3050. Sometimes, the driver package may not contain the necessary .inf file for installation on different systems.
   []Extracting the Driver Package:
   • Extract the downloaded x86 driver package on the Windows 7 computer to a known location.
   []Locating the .inf File:
   • Look for the .inf file within the extracted driver package. The .inf file contains the information needed for Windows to install the driver correctly.
   []Adding the Printer on Windows 7:
   • Share the printer on the Windows 7 computer.
   • During the installation process, when it prompts you to install the x86 driver, manually select the .inf file you located in step 3.
   []Adding the Printer on Windows XP:
   • On the Windows XP computer, add the shared printer.
   • If prompted to locate the driver, ensure you point it to the correct location where the x86 driver .inf file is stored.

     Locating the .inf File:​

   • The .inf file necessary for the HP LaserJet 3050 printer installation is usually named something like hpLJ3050.inf or similar. It is imperative to find this file to successfully install the driver on both systems. If you are still unable to locate the required .inf file, you may need to perform a thorough search within the extracted driver package or consider downloading the driver package again from the official HP website to ensure you have all the necessary files. By following these steps and ensuring the correct driver files are available, you should be able to install the shared printer successfully on both the Windows 7 64-bit and Windows XP 32-bit computers. Please let me know if you encounter any further issues or need more detailed guidance.