The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    adding printer to wireless network

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by crs1, Jan 9, 2010.

  1. crs1

    crs1 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    77
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    16
    I'm a little confused about adding a printer to a wireless network.
    I currently have a canon mp500 using a usb output but have not yet bought a wireless router. As I research routers I'm not seeing any with usb inputs to connect my printer. Must it be a network printer with an ethernet connection? Can I use a USB cable that has an ethernet connector on the other end to connect to the router?
     
    crs1, Jan 9, 2010
    #1
  2. mystery905

    mystery905 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    224
    Messages:
    1,287
    Likes Received:
    17
    Trophy Points:
    56
    You need something called a print server.

    I use a Linksys WPSM54G that connects wirelessly or wired to my existing Linksys WRT54GS router and has the USB port for the printer.

    I got mine refurbished/recertified for about $50.
     
    mystery905, Jan 9, 2010
    #2
  3. blue68f100

    blue68f100 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,020
    Messages:
    3,439
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    There are several way to add. One is add a printer sever to your current printer. To me these have been hit and miss. If your printer is listed and supported it normally works, other wise not so good. Some printer have a network option for them, either by wired or wireless. Of those two I would go wired every time and connect it to the router. A third option is to share it off of a desktop pc, the pc must be on for this to work.
     
    blue68f100, Jan 9, 2010
    #3
  4. Shyster1

    Shyster1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    6,926
    Messages:
    8,178
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Just to verify, is this your printer: http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/c...TechSpecsTabAct&fcategoryid=238&modelid=11995

    If so, then you will either need to connect it to one of your computers and share it to the network, or else get a separate print server and connect it to the network that way.

    I use a wireless print server with my USB all-in-one printer on my home network, and generally haven't had too much trouble with it, although since my printer is a Brother printer, not all of the functions are supported (scanning is a PITA). I believe that Canon products are much better supported however. The wireless server I use is the Netgear WGPS606, which can also be used as an access point for other wired computers onto your wireless network.
     
    Shyster1, Jan 10, 2010
    #4
  5. Balsahack

    Balsahack Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Agreed, using a print server is a bit hit and miss, as not all the printer funcitons are usually supported, escpecially if it a Multi Funtion Printer. Best option to retain all functionality is to share it from another PC on your network. If you do decide to change the printer, get one with ethernet connection as much easier to network and set up.

    Shyster 1 - sorry to hijack you through this post, but need your help on a Sony Vaio PCG-Z1VA and saw you used to run one. Swapped the HDD out from 80Gb to 320Gb, but only registering 137Gb either with Ubuntu or Win XP. Any ideas on the limit of HDD? Many thanks. :)
     
    Balsahack, Jan 11, 2010
    #5
  6. blue68f100

    blue68f100 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,020
    Messages:
    3,439
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    LBA48bit is not active or supported, may need a BIOS update. Some drives have a jumper to control this. May need to use a preloader for hd.
     
    blue68f100, Jan 11, 2010
    #6