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Please help no printer will work - 3/10/2013 8:07:03 AM

defiantbadgirl

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I have a huge problem. My remaining computer on my home group with windows 7 pro won't recognize a printer. The problem started when the main windows 7 home edition computer (sometimes called the host) on my windows home group broke. I thought since the broken computer was tied to my old printer, simply getting a new printer would work but the same thing is happening. The printer installation software works fine, but then windows 7 pro tries to install the driver (I think) and fails. I think what's happening is it's trying to connect with the broken main computer in the home group. So I looked into getting rid of the home group. I learned the only way to get rid of the existing home group is to delete each computer, which has to be done through each computer. I can't delete the main computer because it's broken. Microsoft doesn't allow new home groups to be created as long as another home group exists. So how can I delete the main computer from my home group when it's broken? I can't get my windows 7 pro computer to recognize any printer. Please help.

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RE: Please help no printer will work - 3/10/2013 8:16:39 AM

MasterG2kTR

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are you trying to set it up as a network printer or a local printer? If that computer is your only one it should be local and without a "share" feature.

Also, are you relying on the Windows supplied drivers? Or are you installing the drivers from disk or web download?

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RE: Please help no printer will work - 3/10/2013 9:08:30 AM

Phoenixpower

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Now....probably my solution doesn't solve your issue but I had the same situation once back in approx. 2008, where the new printer didn't work either and then changed the USB cable running from laptop to the printer and realised that this one was gone....so the whole time the problem wasn't by the computer....it was just that the connection cable had given up...

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RE: Please help no printer will work - 3/10/2013 10:11:06 AM

defiantbadgirl

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It can't be the cable because it's brand new. The main computer on the homegroup was the only one I used with the old printer until it broke. I needed at least one computer connected to a printer. Since I was unable to locate the installation disk for the old computer, I downloaded the software to my remaining working computer. Then, windows 7 pro tried to download something (another driver maybe) and said it failed to install. I think windows 7 pro was trying to connect to the broken host computer on the home group causing the error. So I bought a new printer that had never been connected to the broken host computer. This printer unlike the other is wireless capable. We set it up and had no problem connecting it to our home wireless service. Then following the directions, we inserted the installation disk to install the software on the working computer. Everything seemed to install fine until we saw the message printer not found (despite both computer and printer being connected to same home wireless network). The installation disk said to connect a USB cable between the computer and printer to troubleshoot. We did that and windows 7 pro once again downloaded something and once again said the download failed. So it reacted the same way to the new printer as it did to the old one. The only thing I can think of is it's still trying to connect to the broken host computer. I don't know what to do. I need to be able to use a printer!

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RE: Please help no printer will work - 3/10/2013 10:13:10 AM

angelikaJ

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Have you contacted Microsoft support?

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RE: Please help no printer will work - 3/10/2013 10:23:54 AM

defiantbadgirl

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Microsoft wants a credit card to talk to a live person. It seems like the feature of windows 7 pro to reach out and connect to other computers is more of a curse than a blessing. I typed the question of how to get rid of a home group in to my search engine. What I found out is, the only way to cancel a home group is for every computer connected to it to withdraw from it.....from each connected computer. I can't withdraw the broken computer because it's broken. Someone asked a similar question about disconnecting a broken computer from a home group on a microsoft tech board and there were no helpful responses at all. There's also no way to create a new home group without getting rid of the old.

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RE: Please help no printer will work - 3/10/2013 2:21:50 PM

Missokyst

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You say it is a local printer (that is a printer connected directly to that computer via a cable)?
I will say that while I love Windows 7, it will not find many old printers. How old is your printer?

Have you tried going to the control panel, Devices and printers, then ADD a printer?
That brings you to Local printer at which point you need to ignore the part that says use this only if your printer is not USB. Then it will ask if you wish to use an existing port (LPT1, LPT2 ect ect). Try the first option, then continue on with the prompts. It will ask what type of printer you have (HP, Cannon, ect ect), what is the model number, until it is finished. THEN plug in the printer to the USB port and turn it on.

I Hate printer issues.

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RE: Please help no printer will work - 3/10/2013 5:04:16 PM

RemoteUser

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Most times this is a software issue.

If you haven't already, go to the manufacturer site for the printer, search for your printer type, and download the drivers/software. A fresh install and reboot often fixes the situation. If it's incompatible with Windows 7, then you might be SOL.

If you can message me the make and model of printer, I can research known compatibility issues and probably find the software.

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RE: Please help no printer will work - 3/11/2013 2:25:02 PM

cheekytrouble

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Apart from the power cable, what else is your new printer connected to? I'm assuming you want to use the new one now. Do you have a USB cable into the computer you want to print from, or is it wireless or hard wired into network? Also, if you go to printers from the windows button, is the new printer got a tick next to it (set as the default printer)?

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RE: Please help no printer will work - 3/11/2013 4:01:42 PM

Desdriv

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my 2 cents -

1) there have been some severe security breaches in win 7 as of late, make sure that any wireless adaptor/network config using encryption key is in tact and has not been compromised

2)make sure that someone/app has not altered network setup or added a remote connection to a printer elsewhere

3)make sure that you have not lost any admin rights and you are installing new hardware, drivers , software with admin privileges (check UAC)

4)go to device manager and look for any exclamations showing bad driver and try to update either online with windows or choose location and select the install disk

5)go to devices and printers and see if the new printer is there and is the default printer to be used

6)if the driver or printer or both are showing with no problems reported, uninstall the driver through win and uninstall the printer through win, turn off, check connections - restart the computer and see if windows finds it before installing anything..... if not, go to add a device or add new hardware and see if it comes up there,

7) when trying to print, make sure the power to printer is on

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RE: Please help no printer will work - 3/11/2013 5:12:13 PM

LookieNoNookie

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quote:

ORIGINAL: defiantbadgirl

I have a huge problem. My remaining computer on my home group with windows 7 pro won't recognize a printer. The problem started when the main windows 7 home edition computer (sometimes called the host) on my windows home group broke. I thought since the broken computer was tied to my old printer, simply getting a new printer would work but the same thing is happening. The printer installation software works fine, but then windows 7 pro tries to install the driver (I think) and fails. I think what's happening is it's trying to connect with the broken main computer in the home group. So I looked into getting rid of the home group. I learned the only way to get rid of the existing home group is to delete each computer, which has to be done through each computer. I can't delete the main computer because it's broken. Microsoft doesn't allow new home groups to be created as long as another home group exists. So how can I delete the main computer from my home group when it's broken? I can't get my windows 7 pro computer to recognize any printer. Please help.

I've read all the posts herein and, as a computer kind of guy....I've discerned what your issue is.

You need a new printer.

9 - 5, Pacific...I'm here for you.

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