Trying to print from a Vista computer over a home network to a shared printer attached to an Windows XP computer can be frustrating and unproductive. After you have tried everything else, i.e., uninstalling and reinstalling print drivers on your Vista PC, adding a new printer, try something different: Disable print spooling for the shared printer.
Why disable print spooling? The best answer that I can provide is that sometimes there are incompatibilities between computers, shared printers and operating systems. Disabling the print spooler removes one part of the system and allows you to print directly to the printer.
To accomplish this, go to the computer that is attached directly to the printer and perform the following steps:
1. Open the shared printer's properties
2. Click on the Advanced tab.
3. Select "Print directly to the printer"
4. Click "Apply" and then "Ok"
That should solve the problem - especially if you were not able to print out complete files). To make sure, print a test page (General Tab, click "Print Test Page"). Next, print out a 3 or 4 page document from your favorite Windows Program (i.e., Word, an Email program, an Internet Browser page, etc). If these 2 tests work, you should be good to go.
