Can't use some printers on the network! All the printers on the network worked fine, they all have the proper drivers, permission and the network was set up correctly. Now for some reason the printers on the main computer (computer #1) cannot be used by the other computers on the network, (Computer's #2 & #3). The main computer (#1) can still print fine to the other computers (#2 & #3). All files can still be shared between all computers as usual, all printers are available in the "printers and faxes" window and all computers can ping each other just fine. The only changes made to computer #1 recently was, the Norton save and restore software package was added. I disabled this a software and all other firewall, antivirus and worm protection software (all with no luck). Windows XP on all three computers Pentium 4 or above. Does anyone have any ideas? Randy

I would check first to ensure the printers are still properly shared. You may also want to try deleting the exising printers and readding them. From the sounds of it, your printers are attached to PC's and not actualy "network printers" (ie: directly attached to the network). If this is true, when readding the printers you have to: - start the Add Printer wizard. - Choose "Local Printer attached to this PC" and click next - Select the radio button beside "Create a new port" and from the pull down menu, select "Standard TCP/IP Port" and click next - Once you get to the "add port" window, type the IP address of the PC the printer is attached to in the "Printer Name or IP Address" field and click next. - Continue through the wizard until finished and then try a test print from the printers property sheet.

Personally I would uninstall Norton and see if your problem is fixed. Then I would install it again to see if the problem comes back. If so contact support to get the proper config so it all works. FYI I highly advise doing a system restore point before any new software/change happens. Nice having a back door. Give a person a fish, they eat for a day. Suggest they internet search and they learn a skill for a lifetime.

Get rid of Norton. That's definitely the problem.

I don't know about that Don2006 :-) I used to work for Symantec years back. The folks there really care about doing a good job. But like MS they try to please all the people all the time; and that is impossible. I am no fan of system works since it takes down too many resources which in itself is a problem. With a selective config you can get the best of both worlds but its not for the novice. Give a person a fish you feed them for a day. Ask a person to internet search and they learn a skill for a lifetime.

Thanks for your help! I deleted and readded all of the printers, and now computers #2 & #3 can print to the main computer again! But now a new problem, the printer on computer #3 cannot be seen by any other computers on the network. Yes, print sharing is turned on, anti-virus/worm protection/firewalls are turned off. I even installed computer #3's printers drivers on computer #1 & #2, but that did not help. One other possible piece to the puzzle: I installed Ubuntu linux on two old computers (also on the network) and on computer #3. (I am dual booting Windows and Linux on computer #3) Ubuntu linux it works great (highly recommended) but, I did notice my Windows file sharing network drop out and reappear mysteriously when I started using Linux on the same network. Thank you to all for your help so far, does anyone have any other ideas? Randy

Wanderer, your a very knoledgable person but I've had way too many problems with Norton and other Symantec programs that I'm to the point where I won't work on peoples' PCs unless they agree to uninstall it. They just take over the PC and cause too many conflicts for my liking. I could go on, but I'll leave it at that. Beemer, you said you didn't have any problems until you installed Norton. Disabling it some times doesn't do the trick with Norton. Uninstall it. You can always reinstall it. That's what I'm saying about it taking over the PC.