I am trying to print to a Window XP machine on a local network. I am using SuSE 10.2 x86-64. Both computers are on the same workgroup and can share files and folders.

I used the http://localhost:631 CUPS interface to connect to the printer (a HP deskjet 5740). I connected using smb://[windowsIPaddress]/[printerName]. Everything seemed to connect fine, but print jobs will not go through. When I click on the printer tab (in the http://localhost:631 interface) I get the error: "Unable to connect to CIFS host, will retry in 60 seconds..."

I tried changing the printer address to smb://[windowsIPaddress]:9100/[printerName] but that does not work either. Any ideas? Thanks.

I fixed it! I was trying to connect using smb://[hostIPaddress]/[printerName] but what I needed was smb://[hostIPaddress]/[sharedPrinterName] (example: smb://192.168.0.105/mySharedPrinter)! The printer name and shared printer name are not always the same.

If you have this problem, check the shared printer name on Windows by right-clicking [the printer] (example: HP Deskjet 5740) and selecting properties. Then click the sharing tab. The shared printer name will be displayed. I suggest having a name that does not include spaces.

P.S. I am posting a reply instead of modifying the original post so that others find the problem/solution easier.