Use HP LaserJet 1320 in home network with mix of XP and Windows 7 machines

Okay, now I have followed up on your last 2 links.

The second-to-last ("Install a printer on a home network") is just about the HomeGroup and Windows 7.   It says XP computers cannot join the HomeGroup.   It does not address my problem of how to share the printer across operating systems.

The last article also does not address my issue:  Installing the correct driver for a network printer where computer A is on Windows 7 and Computer B is on XP. 

I have read lots of board discussions here and on the HP website where people succeeded in doing exactly what I am trying to do, but they succeeded only after trying many things and in each case the solution that finally worked for them I either do not understand or cannot access.    For example, one talks of installing the 64-bit driver for XP or Vista on the 32-bit XP machine.   But they don't say how.   When I try to do that, the HP website will not let me.

Another talks of putting the HP universal print driver for the 1320 onto the W7 machine.   But how?   When I get to the step where the W7 machine reports it is unsuccessful installing the printer as a network printer because it can't find a driver, and then I go to "browse" to give it the driver location -- I don't know what file to give it.   The folder for the HP universal driver has many, many files in it.  HP doesn't tell you which one is "the" driver.

What's the answer?

I have this exact same printer, am trying to do the exact same thing (set it up as a network printer), and have tried all the exact same steps as JimManXP.  Nothing worked.

What's the answer?

How can we make this work??

Thanks.

Ok, continuing with response to your suggestions:

I have already found and installed the drivers for Windows 7, as evidenced by the fact that the printer works fine when it is local to any of my W7 machines.

Regarding the article "Printer Problems in Windows"  this merely repeats the options for installing printer drivers and I've already done all these steps.  They work fine when the printer is hooked up as a local printer to any of the machines, and they work fine when the printer is installed as a network printer and both computers are running the same operating system, and they do not work when the printer is local to an XP machine and I want to use it as a network printer on a W7 machiner or when the printer is local to a W7 machine and I want to use it as a network printer on an XP machine.   

Have already downloaded the driver from HP for Windows 7 on each of the Windows 7 machines.   Are you suggesting I do so for the XP machines?

Now I'm down to your last suggestion and will pursue that and report back.

Again, thank you very much.

Please clarify the statement about 32-bit and 64-bit.   Which computer governs?  The XP machines are 32 bit and the W7 machines are 64-bit.   So, let's take the case where the printer is local to a 32-bit machine and I am trying to use it as a network printer on a 64-bit machine.  (a)  The driver should be 64 bit to match the one where I seek to install the printer as a network printer for that machine?   Or the driver should be 32-bit to match the computer which actually has the printer physically connected to it by a cable?   Also (b) we are talking about installing a new driver on the machine where I seek to use the printer as a network printer?  Or a new driver on the machine where the printer is already working fine as a local printer?

Bear in mind all the computers in the house have a driver for this printer installed that is working fine when this printer is plugged directly into them as a local printer.   So, the 32 bit machines have a 32 bit driver already installed and the 64 bit machines have a 64-bit driver already installed.

All of the machines have Avast free anti-virus, not disabled, except for one W7 machine that is brand new and so i haven't installed it yet, but it still cannot share the printer with an XP machine, despite having no Anti-virus installed.

On the other hand, all the XP machines have no trouble installing the printer as a network printer when it is on another XP machine as a local printer, without disabling AVAST and all the w7 machines have no trouble installing/sharing the printer with other w7 machines in the house without turning over Avast.

Thank you very much for your suggestions.   I haven't tried the rest yet and I will do that now and report back.

Hi,

Which security software is installed in the computers?

You will have to install the correct driver for the hardware. Before installing it you have to make sure that the driver you are going to install is 32bit/64bit. As 64bit driver will not work on 32bit Operating system.

I would suggest you to try the following methods and check if it helps.

Method 1:

Try to disable third party security software and then test the issue.

Disable security software: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Disable-antivirus-software

Disclaimer: If you have to temporarily disable security software, you should re-enable it as soon as you're done. If you're connected to the Internet or a network while your antivirus software is disabled, your computer is vulnerable to attacks.

Method 2:

Try the steps provided in the following Microsoft article and check if it helps.

Find and install printer drivers in Windows 7:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Find-and-install-printer-drivers

Method 3:

Try the steps provided in the following Microsoft article and check if it helps.

Printer problems in Windows:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/help/printer-problems-in-windows

You may also download the driver from HP for Windows 7 computer:

Windows XP(32bit):

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareIndex.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=410627&prodTypeId=18972&prodSeriesId=410622&swLang=8&taskId=135&swEnvOID=228

For further reference, check the following Microsoft articles.

Install a printer on a home network:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Install-a-printer-on-a-home-network

Why can't I print? http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Why-cant-I-print

Hope the information is helpful.