I have several computers setup in a small workgroup network.  Some
have XP others have 98.  I also have a 2000 Server with Exchange 5.5.

I have one computer running Windows 98 that has a printer connected
directly to the parallel port that is being shared over the network.

On the Windows 98 machines I am able to connect to the printer fine. 
However, I am not able to connect on the XP machines.  They recognize
the printer, however, when I try to install it the computer will hang
in the ?printer install wizard?  I have the same problem on two
computers, both with XP.

I have TCIP, IPX and NETBios running on both machines.  I also put a
record in the LMHOSTS file on the XP pointing to the 98 computer with
the printer and no luck.

What am I missing?

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Request for Question Clarification by rmn-ga on 11 Mar 2004 18:47 PST

Are you able to install the printer locally?  Try installing the
printer with XP-included drivers (or updated drivers from the
internet) on LPT1 (there is no need to connect the printer itself to
this port).  If this works, let me know, and I will post a full
solution to connect to your shared printer.

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Clarification of Question by sammyg-ga on 17 Mar 2004 08:56 PST

I was able to install the printer locally just fine.

However, I was unable to switch the port inside of the properties of the printer.

"Printer settings could not be saved.  Operation could not be completed."

The share port I am looking for is listed as an option in the Ports
tab. LAN Manager Printer Port.

Also I found the article below in the MS knowledge base that seems to
indicate that there is no solution to the problem I am looking at.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307162&Product=winxp

Additional Clarification:

I did turn off the firewall
I did remove all the other protocols
I am not going to buy an additional print server (HP JetDirect)

Did you turn off XP's built in firewall.  That seems to cause a lot of problems.

Is there any reason to be running three different protocols?

If you don't have NetWare I can't see much point in having IPX
running. NetBEUI is useful for small workgroups without servers but
you have a server. You may even solve your problem by simplifying this
setup to be purely TCP/IP based.

I have always found it much easier to connect a shared printer to the
machine with the latest operating system - in your case windows xp and
it usually plays well with others.
If you can, try conneting your printer to one of the XP machines and
see if both platforms will share properly.
You might also want to go for a HP jetdirect box - I set one up for
one property that I support and since I did that I have never had to
return for printer-related issues. It just works. Windows XP will then
print directly to the jetdirects IP address... (and actually there are
5 iMacs that all print to it perfectly now too) Windows 98 will print
to an IP address with free utility you can find on google - if you
need it let me know and I can find the URL for you.

Sam.

I should also have mentioned - if you're hanging on installing a
network printer - just install the printer as a local printer attached
to LPT1, install the driver and then when its installed change the
properties to connect to the share... Might wanna try that first.