Networking Printer 32bit/64bit

Hey guys...i've got an issue that i cant seem to find a straight answer to.
Long story short...
Host is an HP Desktop running vista 64bit that has a Canon MP170 printer hooked up to it via usb.
Currently running a wireless network (Desktop connected via Cat5, and Laptop connected via WiFi).
Client is a Sony Vaio Laptop running vista 32bit and cannot print through the HP due to driver error.

Both computers easily communicate with one another over the network, and everything works flawlessly.
I cannot install the printer from my desktop onto my laptop. IE...i cannot install 32bit driver onto desktop so that my laptop can recognize/and read it, and i cannot install a 64bit driver onto my laptop so my laptop can recognize/read the printer.

What are my options? I've tried installing the software from normal packaging from canon's site, and also direct installation through properties through the canon printer. Ie. the window where it gives me a choice to install additional drivers for the printer. I've networked printers before but never across different Bit systems, only over different OS's.
All the drivers i've tried are downloaded from canon and they offer both 64 and 32 bit for my printer (which is multifunction btw).
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Try installing the 32 it driver on the desktop.

 

Have you made the printer shareable?

 

thanks for the responses.
i have enabled sharing - recognizes but cannot connect to printer on HP because it cannot add it without the 64 bit driver
i have tried to install drivers (laptop already has the 32 bit driver installed) on both systems.

any other thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Check with HP, this is really strange you should be able to install a driver that the printer is compatible with. Perhaps it will create two printers icons but at least you will be able to select them and use them.

I'll see if I can find something else.

 

I have never had any luck with MFP. For some reason they do not network well. I don not think the mfg write drivers that support sharing. If you want one to work I normally buy a MFP that has network drivers (nic port). You should be using the driver for your local pc. With each pc have the driver that suites them, no matter what the OS is. You may want to check you personal FW settings to make sure all local traffic is permitted.

With most MFP you end up with several Icon on the desktop, mainly for the different functiions (print, scan, fax).

 

This is my setup and works incredibly fine. I have a wireless D-Link printer hub with 4 usb ports, so I have my printer connect in one of those. Then the hub is connected to the router, bingo. Everyone can use the printer either thorugh the network or directly thorugh the airways.

 

sharing is not an issue with this printer or any other printers i've had in the past. installing the drivers to make them work on ONE computer is not an issue.
The issue im having is making it print on different platforms. printing through a 64 bit computer using a 32 bit computer is a big issue. i got some info on my tech's at work (firedog at ccity) and even tried to talk to HP, and they basically say im out of luck, unless i can find some mediating software and of course use a print server of some sort. including the mentioned USB router.

Im just avoiding buying and adding more "crap" than i already have. thanks again.

 

We'll help you, just give us some time.

 

That is a good question, and probably one that the Canon people (and the MS people) really didn't think about when writing 32-bit and 64-bit drivers.

Have you thought of putting the printer on it's own print-server, or getting a new printer that is network capable on its own out of the box?

 

I work at circuit city in the comps/cameras department...i am well aware of OTHER options, but i do know a way exists to do this due to a co worker who used to do that for windows 2000...but shes having issues with that on vista and soim pretty sure its still possible...and i'd rather figure things out without spending money.

Again i appreciate the input and would love to give you guys time. I am just doing a little more work to do my printing now. I'll just wait and see what happens...haha.

 

Screenshot is from XP because I don't have Vista...

Hope this helps

 

That's look interesting, but we are talking more than just different windows OS, we are also dealing with different mobo architecture as well, 32 vs 64bits.

 

thanks brainstew. that is already something i've attemped. have you attepted to actually install the drivers? i have a friend in ICS and he attempted that with xp 64 bit and failed too, and he pretty much knew it would fail. so yeah...thats pretty much where im stuck at. in the past something like that would have worked just fine between say...xp and windows 98, as long as they were both 32bit.

the key is we're working with the same OS but different bits!