virtualbox.org

I have a XP64 laptop and a all-in-one HP Photosmart 4780 that does not have a XP64 driver, but does have a XP32 driver.

If I install XP32 in a virtual box under XP64 and install the XP32 printer driver in the virtual box will I be able to print and scan?

Thanks.

It would help if you gave info on the printer connection type, and not expect us to know every printer on the market!

However, a quick search tells me this printer has USB and WiFi connections. I know that people have struggled to get USB printers working reliably inside a guest. Whether any succeeded or not I don't know. Try googling for "USB" and "printer" within the forums.virtualbox.org domain.

It may be possible to set it up as a network printer, with the printer connected to a router using WiFi. Then the guest with network access may be able to control the printer.

The XP64 computer prints regularly, the Vista32 computer only occasionally.

I would prefer to have the printer connected via USB to the XP64 computer because that is usually faster and less problematic. Hence the VirtualBox idea.

Would the Vista32 computer be able to print via the WiFi connection using its own Vista driver,
or would it have to have some compatible driver installed on the XP64 computer?

I posted here precisley because I was hoping somebody has already done it and could advise.

I will do the search you suggest. Thanks.

oao wrote:Would the Vista32 computer be able to print via the WiFi connection using its own Vista driver, or would it have to have some compatible driver installed on the XP64 computer?

Neither. A VirtualBox VM has no virtual wireless hardware, so the guest could not talk to the printer directly using wireless. Nor would you install any driver on the host (given that you already said you didn't have any driver available). However if the host has a wired connection to a router, and the guest has network access, and the printer has a wireless connection to the same router - then the guest might be able to talk to the printer via the network, using a 32bit driver installed in the guest. The details for setting it up as a wireless network printer would be in the printers user manual.

If the Host is connected to the printer or router through wireless, the Guest will be able to access the printer over the network. All you need is a bridged connection using the Host's wireless. I don't know if the installation tool will find the printer or not, but you will find out soon enough when you try it. USB and printing is a bit flaky at times, and scanning is even worse from what I've read. I therefor suggest you try the network solution, higher chance of success.

Sasquatch wrote:All you need is a bridged connection using the Host's wireless.

Hi Sasquatch. Does bridging work with host wireless connections these days?

Yes, since they changed the method in 2.1.0 or something where you no longer need a virtual interface. Ever since you can use your wireless flawlessly, in the same way MS VPC does it.

Sasquatch wrote:All you need is a bridged connection using the Host's wireless.

By this you mean transparent guest connection to host printer?

In some way, yes. If the Host has connection to the printer, so will the Guest if you select the right interface to use for Bridged. It won't do much good if you're connected through a wire and select your wireless interface . The only question remaining is if the install tool likes the non-wireless interfaces on the Guest. It should, but you never know.