Wireless printing?

[tbowen]

I didn't know if I should post this here or in wireless networking. I apologize if I am in the wrong place. I have an HP Pavilion laptop. I am using a Linksys router in my house. I was wondering how I can link my HP laser printer to the router, so that I can print to that printer from my laptop in the house. Do I need extra hardware? Or can I just run a line from the printer to the router? Thanks in advance for any special advice and/or instructions.

[PrntRhd]

Just run a line from the printer to the router.
I suggest setting the printer with a fixed IP address outside the DHCP range for the PCs, then when you load the driver/port the driver to the printer you use that fixed IP address.

[Rick]

What printer do you have?
Does it have wifi built in ?
Does it have a network print server card in it? ( Normally shows a model number ending with D or DN ) ( HP Jetdirect LIO internal print servers, HP Jetdirect external print servers)


IF it has the wifi or DN
It's just a matter of setting it up for the network

if it supports the LIO plug in card/slot Then it's a matter of adding it

If the printer does not have direct network.wifi support
A print server can be added

[mjc]

That really depends on the model of the printer. A number of HP printers are 'network' printers...meaning they have a network card built in.

If it isn't there is a device called a print server that can be added. They come in both parallel and USB flavors for matching to the type of printer you have.

[tbowen]

I don't think it has wifi built in? It is an HP LaserJet P1505. Does that help any? Basically I need to know if I need to buy anything. Because if I do, I probably won't do it. I'm a broke law student. However, if it's something I can do with some cords and downloading some drivers and such, I would like to do it. Thanks for any help.

[PrntRhd]

Well if it is a HP LaserJet P1505, and not a HP LaserJet P1505n, it only has USB for connecting it.
Do you have another PC connected to it? If so, one possible solution would be to "share the printer" over the network from that other PC.

[tbowen]

Actually it is the 1505n. I just ran upstairs and checked. I do have my desktop wired to it. My setup currently, including my internet is like this:
Internet: Line coming from modem into Linksys router; ethernet cable from router into desktop. My laptop feeds off the Linksys. The printer is currently connected with a USB to my desktop. Thanks for the help.

[PrntRhd]

Actually it is the 1505n
Then all you have to do is load the driver on the laptop as a local printer and create a new TCP/IP port to the printer address, just as I described in my first reply.
Wireless or wired divers load exactly the same way.
I would suggest running a wire from the router to the printer RJ45 port and go Ethernet, it is much faster, and the desktop would not have to be running to print to the HP.

Disconnect the USB cable, no longer needed.
Put an IP address into the HP that is outside the DHCP range, (normally IP of 192.xxx.xxx.100-.125 are default DHCP addresses, so under those or over those both would work, stay away from the gateway address however.
Connect the router to the printer with a patch cable.
Go to the desktop and make a new port, TCP/IP port, and set the new port for the chosen address, finish and apply. (you should not even need to reload that driver). Your desktop will now send the jobs to the router> printer.
Load the printer as a local printer on the laptop, create a new port, TCP/IP port, set the port for the chosen address, finish, then browse to the driver and load the driver. Your laptop will now send the jobs to the router> printer.

This whole change should only cost you the price of one Cat5e patch cable.

[mjc]

Connectivity, standard Hi-Speed USB port (compatible with USB 2.0 specifications)

Doesn't necessarily have to have 'wifi' networking built in...just some kind of networking. Wifi enabled printers are becoming more common, but plain 'cabled' network printers are much more common.

Unfortunately, though, this beast has neither...so, you will need some sort of print server...

Now, the next question may seem a bit odd...

Do you have an old computer around that isn't doing any thing? It doesn't have to be much...oh, Pentium III, with maybe 256 MB and a 10 GB hard drive will do...oh, and a network card (doesn't have to be a wireless card, because you can plug it into the router...)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++

Dang, you left out that n...and I was all set to tell you how to set up a print server using an old machine, Linux, CUPS and not much else...

But yeah, if it's an 'n'...then just plug it in to the router and go...

[tbowen]

Haha, sorry about that, mjc. Forgive my ignorance, but when you say ethernet, you're referring to a networking cable, like the one running from my router to my network card in my desktop, correct? Also, I hate to ask someone to hold my hand through this, but I don't exactly know how to setup an IP address on the HP (the laptop, correct?). Also, I have no idea what DHCP is. Sorry. But I really appreciate all the help offered.

[PrntRhd]

It is OK, we can take small steps.
:)

Yes the patch cable will be the same type as the one from the router to the desktop.
Try this, click on the Run command, type CMD, then Enter or OK. When the black box appears, type IPCONFIG , then hit Enter. What address does your setup show for the IP address? (don't worry, no one can hack you with this info). (You can X out of the command prompt after this info is gleaned)
With the requested info we can suggest an IP address to put into your printer, I may have to download the operators manual from HP's site to figure out how to load it into the printer from the menu screen.

FYI I own a recent HP 1518n printer using TCP/IP so they are similar.

[tbowen]

192.168.1.100

[PrntRhd]

OK, let's say you choose an IP of 192.168.1.25 for the printer.
Your router will never assign that IP to any of the PCs you are connecting to it, so the printer will always have its own unique address with that IP.

Do you have any of the documentation (disks/books) for the printer?

If not, maybe this will get us what we need:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01294709&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&rule=4031&product=3435671

HP suggests allowing the router to assign an address automatically, you then print a configuration page. You then can type the automatic address from that page into your web browser and set the new address (192.168.1.25) manually. Print a second configuration page to make certain the new address is locked in.

[tbowen]

Ok, so post the IP address of the printer once it prints?

[PrntRhd]

Sure, so you had a spare patch cable?

[tbowen]

Yep, hooking it up now about bout to print the confirmation page.

[PrntRhd]

alrighty then

[tbowen]

Quick question, do I run the patch cable from one of the "Outs" on the router in to the printer?

[PrntRhd]

Yes, connect to any of the ports 1-4.

[tbowen]

Ok, got the patch cable connected, and I disconnected the USB from the printer to the desktop. I printed the confirmation page and the IP is: 192.168.1.103

[PrntRhd]

ok, now open IE or Firefox and type 192.168.1.103, then enter

[tbowen]

On the laptop or the desktop?

[PrntRhd]

either one
:)

[tbowen]

ok, got it.

[PrntRhd]

If that page loads, look for a network button/tab

[tbowen]

Page loaded, and I got the networking tab

[PrntRhd]

cool, then change the address to your chosen address and submit or enter

[tbowen]

Under 'IP Address Configuration' I need to select the radio button for 'Manual IP' and change the address listed in the field of Manual IP Address? What do I need to change it to?

[PrntRhd]

yes, change it to the 192.168.1.25 we spoke of earlier.

[tbowen]

Ok, I did that. Clicked Apply. Then the page reloaded and still had the 192.168.1.103 in the Manual IP Address field. So I tried to change it again and when I click Apply it won't load the page, it says 192.168.1.103 is taking too long to load. Does that mean I successfully changed the IP and it will no longer load the 192.168.1.103?

[PrntRhd]

Try rebooting the Printer

[tbowen]

Ok. I got it now. I rebooted the printer. And then typed 192.168.1.25 into my browser and it pulled it up with the new IP address. What we got next? You are the man.

[PrntRhd]

Ok, now we go to the Desktop PC and go Start>Printers and Faxes or Start>Control Panel> Printers and faxes
Right click the HP printer and choose properties
Then look for a tab saying Ports

Then Add port>New Port>TCP/IP port

[tbowen]

Ok, I am there now. I highlighted Standard TCP/IP Port and then do I click New Port Type... or New Port...?

[PrntRhd]

New Port>TCP/IP port or HP TCP/IP port. What choices are you seeing?
OK< you are beyond that, new port is fine, it goes into a port wizard, do not use New port type

HP Standard TCP/IP is the port type I would use, then New Port to get into the wizard, then the next screen is where you type the 192.168.1.25 address.

[tbowen]

Nevermind. I got it. Ok, it brought up the Add Standard TCP/IP Printer Port Wizard. Should I just follow through the steps? Anything particular I need to know or do or specify?

[tbowen]

Now I have to enter the Printer Name or IP Address (do I enter the one we specified earlier?) and then enter the Port Name. What do I enter for the port name? Anything?

[PrntRhd]

Just the 192.168.1.25 in the top line, it will fix the bottom line itself,
then next and finish. When done, click apply
If there is the original port window open afterwards, you can close it out.

[tbowen]

Ok. I went through it and finished the wizard. Now I am back to the printers and faxes folder and it has my hp checked as my default printer, but it is listed as offline. Is that bad? How do I fix it?

[PrntRhd]

Did you do HP Standard TCP/IP port or Standard TCP/IP?
The Apply step is crucial.

We can fix it.

[tbowen]

Wait, nevermind, I just right clicked on it and clicked use online and it's online now. But now don't I need to load that driver on the laptop?

[PrntRhd]

Test the desktop first, right click that printer we just ported and go to properties, then click print test page.
Did it print?
Yes we will load the laptop driver in a minute.

[tbowen]

Yep. Well, I didn't test it that way, I just opened up word and printed off a document and it printed fine.

[PrntRhd]

Ok, the desktop is fine to go then.
:D

Do you have a driver CD for the laptop driver?

We go to the laptop, Start>Printers and Faxes, open it.
Add Printer>Local Printer, no Plug and Play, next, Create a new port, look down menu>HP Standard TCP/IP port or Standard TCP/IP port>name it 192.168.1.25>and finish it. Then it should ask for the driver

[tbowen]

I'm sure I do. Somewhere. It would have come with the laptop, correct? Assuming I can't find it or it would be too difficult to find, can I download the applicable driver? The printer and the laptop are HP, so I'm assuming the driver would be an HP driver? If I have to have the CD, I can find it. but not until the morning. it's 2:30 here and I've got classes tomorrow.

[PrntRhd]

Let's make the port, it might have the driver in the OS list.
XP?

Your choice, we can do this later if you wish, you still have a working printer since the desktop is configured.

[tbowen]

If it won't take too much longer, I just assume go ahead and knock it out. I;m running Vista Home. I hate it. I'm running XP Pro on the desktop, but in light of Bill Gates being a monopolizing dirtbag, I have Vista on the laptop.

[PrntRhd]

We better wait, You need to download the latest Vista driver from HP's support site for this one.
I will check back tomorrow, need sleep here too.

[tbowen]

Ok. So I guess I'll just be back in the morning? Will you be around tomorrow? Or want to leave me some instructions?

P.S. This site is unbelievable. Ever since I found it I have not had to pay for someone to fix my computer one time. Anything problem or upgrade I need I can always find someone here to walk me through it. Cheers to y'all for that. Thanks.

[PrntRhd]

Just get the file downloaded, we can go from there.
We do help each other, I get help here too.
:D

[tbowen]

Thanks. I'll be back tomorrow.

[PrntRhd]

Just post back in this thread, one of us will pick it up from there.

[tbowen]

Ok, so I downloaded the drivers from HP. But I wasn't sure which one. I downloaded the basic driver, which was about 11 MBs, and then I downloaded the full feature driver which was over 100 MBs, so I think that one is the whole setup disc for the printer. Which one should I run?

[mjc]

The 'full featured' download includes everything, like the management software...so if you already have all that installed on the desktop you don't really need to duplicate it on the laptop...just install the 'drivers only' package (the small one).

[tbowen]

The 'full featured' download includes everything, like the management software...so if you already have all that installed on the desktop you don't really need to duplicate it on the laptop...just install the 'drivers only' package (the small one).

Ok, I double clicked on the downloaded driver, it asked for my permission to continue, I allowed it, then it went through and extracted the whole thing, then it went away and nothing happened. Is that all I had to do to install the driver? Can I now delete the thing I downloaded? What do I need to do next? Thanks.

[PrntRhd]

When you clicked on that exe it likely extracted into a Windows temporary file.

You need to "add printer" in a similar fashion to the desktop.
Local Printer, no plug and play, next, make a new port, TCP/IP port....

[tbowen]

Ok, I am going through the steps now. At the step where I enter the IP address there is a drop down menu for Device Type with three choices. Choices are: Autodetect, TCP/IP Device, Web Services Device. Which one should I use? Glad to have you back, friend.

[PrntRhd]

choose TCP/IP Device

[tbowen]

It worked! I went through all the steps and printed the test page and it worked. So I am good to go. Now, you're saying the way I have it setup, my desktop does NOT have to be on for it to print, correct?

[PrntRhd]

Correct, you just print from either PC.

Glad it works!
:D :D

[tbowen]

Dude, I am very gracious for the help. You have just saved me so much time and effort now that I don't have to email docs to myself, then run upstairs to print them. Thanks a ton! Cheers.

[PrntRhd]

My pleasure,
this method makes the jobs print fast and is very flexible.