well this has come back to haunt me:

i had to reinstall XP ( dont ask) I have the laserjet8150n connected to the PC with a ethernet cable i have created a connection and i can ping the printer < but i cant get any software to install , and if it does its not really there? and doesnt print, i cant for the life of me remember how i did it last time but it was running for about 6 months untill i had to reinstall, i have the network installed to printershare, but i cant seem to install the drivers because the installation software just doesnt see the printer, if i disconnect the printer the network goes down saying a cable is disconnected and i am beat 7 hours on this and i cant do it ,

any body got any ideas, i would be most gratefull