WinXP can't see network printer--how to fix?

Factual Questions
1

WinXP SP3
HP Laser printer (not hosted on a machine, has its own IP)

One machine (Vista Business) has no problem with the printer. The WinXP machine newly added (craigslist bargain) won’t admit the printer exists. I’ve tried the printer name (from the Vista machine) and the IP address. Pinging the IP from the XP machine works, but I don’t know how to get the darned XP machine to add the printer so I can print!

Can’t host the printer on the Vista machine, because that’s a laptop and is sometimes off the network.

Help!

2

Could it be a simple driver problem ?

Another inelegant but possible option you could look into if the laptop has no problem seeing and sharing files with the vista machine would be to set that computer to share “its” printer.

ETA: nevermind, I thought the new XP machine was the laptop.

3

I assume you’re trying to use the Add Printer Wizard in Windows XP and choosing the option for Network Printer. The Network Printer option is for printers shared through another computer using SMB. Although the printer is on a network, that is not the correct option. Choose Local Printer, then choose Add Port and Standard TCP/IP Port. This document (PDF) has the details: http://www.musc.edu/infoservices/lynx/ip_printing.pdf

4

Cleophus - Your assumption is correct and your instructions worked perfectly. Thanks!

5

I’ve just registered here to thank you Cleophus for your instructions. For two days I couldn’t solve this problem, read whole HP support FAQs and nothing.
Your instruction worked as magic. Thank you!