want to install a printer for wireless access

[baxtej44]

Okay, just got a new laptop (i posted a thread here if you need to find the details) and my sister had a printer that she wasn't using so she gave me that to take to college.

I want to be able to use the printer wirelessly when I get down there, can I somehow set it up on my network at home now and have it still work when I get down there?


I'll also want to have my room mate be able to print wirelessly off of it too, if possible.

Thanks a lot, it's a pretty new'ish printer/scanner/copier. It's an HP printer.

 

[alaskan155]

if it doesn't have a network port on it you have to hook it up to a computer and share it on the network threw the computer.
or use something like this
http://www.google.com/products/cata...og_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDoQ8wIwAQ#

 

[Mark_88]

Yeah...either shared or...if it has a NIC you can configure (some allow you to specify the IP address) you can set a static IP according to the router configuration...

Need to know what IP address the router is assigning to the computer...then configure the IP address on the NIC...it's actually better this way since sharing the printer can lead to someone having access to your computer (if you don't lock it down)...and that could include outside of your private network...

 

[baxtej44]

if i get the model number on the printer can you figure out if i am able to wirelessly print or not? or if i have to hook it up to a shared computer on a network

 

[AllanD]

To wirelessly connect to the printer requires the printer to be hook to SOME computer even if not necissarily your notebook.

that means you'll at minumum require a desktop with (ideally) the Same OS as your notebook and having that computer conneted to a wireless router so your computer can "talk" to it.

Frankly it'd be FAR easier to make sure your printer connects via a USB cable, connect your notebook to the printer Via USB and let it autodetect it.

Is it really such a big thing to connect a USB cable to your notebook?

AD

 

[baxtej44]

To wirelessly connect to the printer requires the printer to be hook to SOME computer even if not necissarily your notebook.

that means you'll at minumum require a desktop with (ideally) the Same OS as your notebook and having that computer conneted to a wireless router so your computer can "talk" to it.

Frankly it'd be FAR easier to make sure your printer connects via a USB cable, connect your notebook to the printer Via USB and let it autodetect it.

Is it really such a big thing to connect a USB cable to your notebook?

AD

it would have just been nicer to be able to have the printer in an out of the way location in my room... but it doesn't REALLY matter

 

[AllanD]

Yeah, I know it would be "cool" and "Elegant" to do what you want, but frankly it's probably more aggrevation than it's worth.

There are purpose made wireless network printers, but unless your is already one of them....

AD

 

[ufgators68]

Yeah, I know it would be "cool" and "Elegant" to do what you want, but frankly it's probably more aggrevation than it's worth.

There are purpose made wireless network printers, but unless your is already one of them....

AD

It's not that difficult to do. We use a wireless print server on some of our dinosaur printers and we never have a problem.

 

[AllanD]

It's not that difficult to do. We use a wireless print server on some of our dinosaur printers and we never have a problem.

And how much does a wireless print server cost if you don't already have one in your hip pocket?


AD

 

[ufgators68]

And how much does a wireless print server cost if you don't already have one in your hip pocket?


AD

You can get one for $45 or go all the way up to $600 or more.

We have a couple of these.

 

[cargs]

my dlink router wireless router has a USB port you can use to share a printer or a storage device.

http://www.dlink.ca/products/?pid=681

 

[AllanD]

OK, so that's cool...

AD

 

[baxtej44]

thanks for the help guys but i'll just hook it up. easier that way. cuz i'm living on campus so the wireless internet is already broadcasted out, unless i would want to buy a router or a print server. i thought i'd be able to do it with my current printer easily.

thanks anyway