06-30-2009, 07:49 AM

I have a network of one pc desktop (connected to the router). A pc laptop that is connected to the network and the HP printer. However, my mac pro does not recognize the printer. It is on the network, but I am unable to add the printer. I don't understand the protocol in adding on a printer on the mac. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

06-30-2009, 08:04 AM

What is the printer model and have you installed the driver for it?

06-30-2009, 10:53 AM

The printer is a HP inkjet 5740. No...I didn't install any drivers on my Mac. I thought it would just discover it like my pc laptop did.

06-30-2009, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by jakatak44

The printer is a HP inkjet 5740. No...I didn't install any drivers on my Mac. I thought it would just discover it like my pc laptop did.

You'll probably have to install drivers for it first. Try downloading and installing from here:

Select software and drivers*

06-30-2009, 01:50 PM

Thank you...I'll give it a try when I get home.

07-13-2009, 12:18 AM

I downloaded the drivers, but I am missing something in the process. I don't know what it is. I click...add printer. Nothing! Nothing shows. I have a wireless connection with my pc router. But, no printer. My wife's pc laptop connects just fine. I've tried everything process. Even manually trying to add a printer. Nothing works. My printer is a HP 5700 series USP. I don't know what to do. I am using Windows 7 on my desktop. RC version. I don't know if that has anything to do with it. My desktop computer and my wife's wireless laptop work just fine.

07-13-2009, 07:54 AM

I take it the printer is connected to your network, right? If so, are you using a print server (i.e. attached to a router or a network print server device), or does the printer have built-in networking?

07-13-2009, 08:23 AM

The printer is a USB connection to my computer.

07-13-2009, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by jakatak44

The printer is a USB connection to my computer.

Connected directly to your Mac?

07-13-2009, 11:45 AM

No....The mac is a Macbook Pro laptop. My HP pc is a desktop computer that is connected to the internet. The printer is NOT connected to the router. It is connected to the HP desktop computer via a USB port.

My wife's pc laptop connected with no problems. I hit the plus sign and my laptop doesn't see anything.

07-13-2009, 12:29 PM

So, basically your Windows machine is acting as a print server. To your Mac, it's like connecting to a network printer.

There's a number of different ways to make the connection, the first thing I'd try is this:

1. Open System Preferences => Print & Fax
2. Click the + button to add a printer
3. Click the Windows button at the top of the window and it should search for shared printers
4. Assuming your Windows machine isn't blocking file & print sharing, the printer should appear and you should be able to connect to it.

Let me know if this doesn't work.

07-14-2009, 02:38 PM

Nothing. Totally blank.

07-14-2009, 02:54 PM

Are you running a security suite or any kind of firewall software on the host Windows machine?

07-14-2009, 04:09 PM

I'm running Windows 7 RC.....but print sharing is clicked and nothing appears to be blocking the connection.

07-14-2009, 04:13 PM

OK, you might need to change the workgroup on the Mac. Do this by going into System Preferences => Network => Select your connection on the left => Go to Advanced => Click WINS tab => under WORKGROUP, enter the same workgroup as the Windows 7 machine is using.

Check to see if it shows up now (you may have to wait a few minutes).