Toshiba+Vista unable to connect to network printer

[sf44]

Toshi Satellite L45-S7409, barely 6 months old, running Vista (spit).  We have about 4 other computers--all running XP--on our home network, and all those can connect to our shared LaserJet 4250 printer.  Except for the Toshi.

Fact that 4 other machines all connect flawlessly seems to speak to the integrity of our network.  And just in case, we recently got HP's new "universal DRiver" that's supposed to link Vista to a 4250.  But in all cases, same result: it says "unable to connect to printer."

File and printer sharing are turned on on both the Toshi and the computer hosting our network.

I'm running out of ideas!  TIA. --s

[soybean]

Is the printer still under warranty?  I visited HP LaserJet 4250 Printer (Q5400A) - specifications and warranty; the page has a "Chat live with HP" link on it.  You might try that.   

[ale52]

You don't say if the Toshi ever connected to the printer 

Alan <>< 

[soybean]

You don't say if the Toshi ever connected to the printer 

Alan <>< 

Toshi Satellite L45-S7409, barely 6 months old, running Vista (spit).  We have about 4 other computers--all running XP--on our home network, and all those can connect to our shared LaserJet 4250 printer.  Except for the Toshi.

[mr_skipper24]

you have to disable the UAC (User Account Control) in vista

[patio]

you have to disable the UAC (User Account Control) in vista

This has nothing to do with getting the printer recognised...

sf44 You can safely ignore this advice.

[mr_skipper24]

Patio : you think you know better.... but  your nothing

   most of my advice is correct an I've been in the I.T. for 10yrs. I know. people on this forum seek advice about there computer and your telling sf44 to ignore my advice. we can say what ever we think it will solve the problem.

[Doug.Gentry]

Try this site. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727037.aspx
File and Printer Sharing in Windows Vista
Since the other PC's are running XP I bet the problem is discussed in this page.
 
Such as this "Differences in File and Printer Sharing in Windows Vista
The differences in file and printer sharing in Windows Vista are the following:

The default workgroup name in Windows Vista has been changed to WORKGROUP. In Windows® XP Home Edition, the default workgroup name is MSHOME. If you upgrade a computer running Windows XP Home Edition to Windows Vista, it will keep its existing workgroup name. However, new computers with Windows Vista can have a different workgroup name than the other computers on your network. With different workgroups, it takes more time and effort to view all of the computers on the network.

Windows Vista uses the Public folder, rather than the Shared Documents folder in Windows XP, to simplify file sharing. With Public folder sharing enabled, the public folders and all of the folders within the Public folder are automatically shared with the name Public. You do not have to configure file sharing on separate folders. You only have to either move or copy the file or folder you want to share on the network to the Public folder.

Windows Vista by default does not allow simple file sharing. Access to shared folders, including the public folder (if shared), requires a user name and password. Simple file sharing is enabled by default in Windows XP Home Edition."

[sf44]

Thanks to all for the help/ideas.  I'll start clicking the links/running the threads as soon as workload permits and will report results here.

To clear up a question that might have some bearing on problem:  The Toshi has never printed to the LaserJet, because Toshi doesn't have a parallel port and the LJ's USB card died a month after we got the LJ.  HP replaced the USB card under warranty but then the *replacement* died a month later, just as we were starting to print a big job.

I rigged a solution by connecting the LJ to a desktop via parallel port and using the LJ as a shared printer.  But the computer calling the printing was a laptop that wasn't the Toshi.  When that laptop eventually died we shifted to the Toshi backup--which is when we discovered the no-print problem.

One obvious solution would be to replace the dead usb card and connect the Toshi directly to the LJ w/ usb, and that may be what we do.  But it shouldn't be this hard to get a new, seemingly sound laptop running Microsoft's latest, zoomy OS to connect to a network printer that's used by 4 other networked machines running the OLDer OS.

I can't help thinking it's significant that all our XP machines work fine with the LJ, while the one running Vista doesn't.  Also, just heard that Vista doesn't support parallel port printing--which doesn't seem logical but then again...  Can anyone confirm or debunk this?

In any case, thanks again.

--s

[Spoiler]

Looking this over may help.....

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727037.aspx