>>>I deleted the printer on the laptop, and attempted to re-add, indiating printer is on the network.....
Sorry, I'm just guessing here, but in the absence of any other replies so far.....
As I understand it, the printer is plugged into a (USB) port on your PC? In that case, then when you were installating that printer it would be 'local' to that PC, NOT "on a network". AFTER you have installed the PC, THEN you could make it a shared networked printer.
Perhaps the scenario is that when the firewall is on the PC is searching the 'network' to find the printer, but can't because it is NOT on the network, but with the firewall off it just defaults - quite by chance - to the local port. I suggets you check the printer properties port details, to see if your PC really thinks this is a network or local printer.
Sorry, I'm just guessing here, but in the absence of any other replies so far.....
As I understand it, the printer is plugged into a (USB) port on your PC? In that case, then when you were installating that printer it would be 'local' to that PC, NOT "on a network". AFTER you have installed the PC, THEN you could make it a shared networked printer.
Perhaps the scenario is that when the firewall is on the PC is searching the 'network' to find the printer, but can't because it is NOT on the network, but with the firewall off it just defaults - quite by chance - to the local port. I suggets you check the printer properties port details, to see if your PC really thinks this is a network or local printer.