I have a sony vaio laptop running xp sp2 connected wirelessly to an HP C4385 printer. I can't get it to print in this wireless mode and I can't get a response from the printer when I put the printers IP address in the address line of IE7 or Firefox. After IE7 'fails to connect' I ask it to troubleshoot the failure. It cannot find the wireless printer even though it is connected to the computer via the wireless network connection. If I disconnect from the printer and connect to a wireless router it works fine. I can get the printer setup screen with another laptop which is running Vista using IE 7 just fine so I'm sure the printer is working. What is unique in the ad hoc (wireless point to point, no router) that prevents me from communicating?

The application is for travel. There is no router or access point available. Other info, the Sony XP has the printer driver installed, the Vista laptop did not. The printer responded to the Vista when I put the IP address in IE7 without any other steps. I have the firewall off and security disabled on the Sony XP but it still will not respond when I try to contact it with IE7. I hope that makes the situation clearer, Thanks for your time and effort. The application is for travel. There is no router or access point available. Other info, the Sony XP has the printer driver installed, the Vista laptop did not. The printer responded to the Vista when I put the IP address in IE7 without any other steps. I have the firewall off and security disabled on the Sony XP but it still will not respond when I try to contact it with IE7. I hope that makes the situation clearer, Thanks for your time and effort.