I get an "Access is Denied" error when I try to print to a shared printer on my home network.

This error can occur when trying to print from a Windows Vista–based computer to a computer running Windows XP.

First, make sure that the Windows XP computer is properly connected to the home network and set to share printers. For more instructions on printer sharing in Windows XP, go to the Sharing printers topic on the Microsoft website.

If the other computers on your network can "see" the Windows XP computer and its attached printer, can share files with that computer, but still encounter an "Access is Denied" error when trying to print, try the following workaround:

1. Open Printers by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Hardware and Sound, and then clicking Printers.
2. Click Add a printer.
3. In the Add Printer wizard, click Add a local printer.
4. Click Create a new port. Make sure Local Port is selected in the list, and then click Next.
5. In the Port Name dialog box, type \\computer name\printer name, and then click OK.
6. Complete the rest of the wizard, and then click Finish.

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found this related to Vista but similar steps in XP may help fix your issue.

>>1) Share Permissions
>>1. On explorer, go to C:\windows\system32\spool\PRINTERS
>>2. Right click, Properties
>>3. Sharing tab
>>4. Advanced Sharing
>>5. Check "Share this folder"
>>6. Permissions
>>7. Grant everyone Full Control
>>
>>2) NTFS Permissions
>>1. On explorer, go to C:\windows\system32\spool\printers
>>2. Right click, Properties
>>3. Security tab
>>4. Edit
>>5. Add
>>6. Advanced
>>7. Find Now
>>8. Choose "NETWORK"
>>9. OK
>>10. Grant NETWORK Full Control


AND THEN we had to install as local printers, using the port trick. . .

1. Go to "Printers"
2. click "Add Printer"
3. "Add a Local Printer"
4. "Create a New Port"
5. use the "Local Port" option
6. at "Enter a Port Name" enter: "\\Computername\Printername"

On the computer that has the shared printer installed do the following.

Share Permissions
>>1. On explorer, go to C:\windows\system32\spool
>>2. Right click PRINTERS, select Properties
>>3. Click the Sharing tab
>>4. Click Advanced Sharing
>>5. Check "Share this folder"
>>6. Click Permissions
>>7. Grant Everyone Full Control

NTFS Permissions
>>1. On explorer, go to C:\windows\system32\spool
>>2. Right click PRINTERS, select Properties
>>3. Click the Security tab
>>4. Click Edit
>>5. Click Add
>>6. Click Advanced
>>7. Click Find Now
>>8. Choose "NETWORK"
>>9. Click OK
>>10. Grant NETWORK Full Control