Posted by BrendaTx on 3/21/10 6:06pm
Msg #328296

Question about a printer networking device

I currently have two printers--neither of them new but both of them as good as I need right now. They are an HP 3015 and a Canon ImageClass. Both are around 6 years old.

Is there a device that I can put on either or both of the printers in the other room so that my laptop can send a message to print from a laptop not hardwired to the printer?

For the past few years I have run a printer in the other room through my router via communication with a desktop which was also in the other room. Desktop was kinda my hub; it was hooked up to either of my two printers via USB cord, and my installed OneCare on my two XP computers let me share printers. I could print through the desktop (XP) to the printer from the laptop (XP) in the living room. (Support was not available for my Windows 7 laptop because MS is discontinuing OneCare. When I want to print from that one (W7) I have to go into the other room and physically hook it up by the cord.)

This deal worked GREAT for me. I could easily buy another desktop, but I think it would be better just to go with a network/printer device, if such exists.

I know that for awhile several years ago (2005) my son had put some kind of a gizmo on our printers so that he could print wirelesslessly from his laptop to one of the printers. I think when he moved out the gizmo went with him. I just wondered if any of you know of an appliance with which I can print wirelessly to the other room using either XP (still have it on my main laptop) or Windows 7?

The XP will eventually die, so I need to focus more on the Windows 7 because I will be purchasing another laptop with Windows 7 on it just to have as back up. Notaries just cannot be without a back up computer IMHO.

Reply by MikeC/NY on 3/21/10 6:18pm
Msg #328298

The gizmo you're looking for is called a wireless print server - do a google search on that, you'll find options. Here's one from HP:

http://h71036.www7.hp.com/hho/us/en/ep/articles/add-wireless.html

Reply by BrendaTx on 3/21/10 6:19pm
Msg #328299

Thanks, Mike! I just couldn't think of the right words. n/m

Reply by Linda Juenger on 3/21/10 7:12pm
Msg #328308

Re: Thanks, Mike! I just couldn't think of the right words.

Thanks also Mike. I am interested in this also. Great info.

Reply by MikeC/NY on 3/21/10 7:28pm
Msg #328309

Re: Thanks, Mike! I just couldn't think of the right words.

Linksys and Belkin make a few models, all of which are reasonably priced and claim to support most printers. I would check on their websites to verify that a) your printers are supported, and b) the device is Windows 7 compliant. I'm still on XP with my 3 computers and plan to stay there for the foreseeable future, so I don't worry about compatibility issues...

Reply by BrendaTx on 3/21/10 7:38pm
Msg #328311

There was no reason to change XP imho

Would prefer to remain there myself.

Reply by jba/fl on 3/21/10 10:21pm
Msg #328329

XP'er here until no longer supported....does what I need. n/m

Reply by Charles_Ca on 3/21/10 11:02pm
Msg #328332

I bought a couple of the Wireless G Print Servers from HP to make a couple of my older HP pirnters wireless and much to my dismay they did not work right out of the box and Hp doles not support the Wireless G Print Server. My usual boosterish attitude towards HP was seriously damaged by this product. I can not recomment them. I still have two sitting on my desk and they are totally worthless. The CD that comes with them and the instructions are useless and witout support I have not been able to use them.