Server for Networked printer - won't print from another computer if server is off

[cheeseus]

Hello,

I have just found out that I cannot print from a networked computer (laptop) if my PC is switched off. Apparently it acts like a server.

The printer is listed (on the laptop) as Sharp AR-M155 PCL6 ON XXXXX, where XXXX is the name of the PC.

It is of no surprise that if the server is offline printing won't be possible, but the question is WHY does it have to be this way, why does there have to be a server?

This kind of setting kind of cripples the networked printing option. Is there another way to set up the system to avoid such dependence?

Both computers run Win 7 x64.

[igi]

hi
i dont have this model
but printing is common
how do you print network or usb
if usb you dont have much choise
if network then install driver on each pc and print direct
good luck

[cheeseus]

hi
i dont have this model
but printing is common
how do you print network or usb
if usb you dont have much choise
if network then install driver on each pc and print direct
good luck

Hi,

Thanks.

I print via network - the signal is sent to the router and from there to the machine.

The drivers are installed on both the laptop and the PC.

I don't remember the installer asking me if I want to make the PC a server or not.

[igi]

hi can you ping the copier from all computers
if you can then reinstall the drivers and it should be fine
good luck

[cheeseus]

hi can you ping the copier from all computers
if you can then reinstall the drivers and it should be fine
good luck

Yes, I can ping the printer. And I can print from the laptop, and scan to the laptop/PC but only if the PC, which is acting as server, is turned on.

Otherwise, when I try to print from the laptop, I get "server offline".

Will reinstall and write back.

[bilyahn]

Don't search for networked printers when you install the drivers. These will be shared printers on the network. Sharps do not show up as "networked" unless shared. Just follow the prompts for the print driver and you should be okay. You can use the default Windows 7 drivers but you will need to manually input the IP address to get it to work properly.

Good luck.

Bil

[cheeseus]

Sorted

I removed the shared printer, then reinstalled the PCL / Postscript Driver - it detected the printer automagically

Well, before this I tried twice with the MFP driver, choosing "Connected via the network" but the printer was never available (although it showed online)... until I realized I was installing the wrong driver.

Thanks!