Wireless Printing

[mdklatt]

So, I want to set up the 'rents with WiFi printing for their laptop. It seems that my options are a wireless print server or a wireless USB hub. But the wireless print servers seem very limited, so what I really want is a wireless USB hub, right?

[sooner_born_1960]

I share the printer on the computer the printer is connected to. If you are doing this w/o connecting to a computer, I dunno.

[yermom]

or a network capable printer plugged into the wireless router...

i'd probably go with a regular router and something like this: http://www.provantage.com/trendnet-te100-p1u~7TDWE003.htm

i'm not familiar with that particular one, it just does what i'm thinking it would need to do

[Howzit]

Alls I know is I got this (http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?id=481787) one and it's sweet.

I think it was on sale for about $150 at the time, and if I can set it up anyone can.

[mdklatt]

Clarification: This needs to work with existing printers that are not wireless.

[yermom]

so what's wrong with my idea? ;)

do they not already have a wireless router?

[mdklatt]

so what's wrong with my idea? ;)



I didn't see it at first.

Hmmm...it doesn't say that it supports Vista. It also only works with one printer. A wireless USB hub would support multiple printers--and not just printers--so why do dedicated print servers exist? What can a printer server do that a wireless USB hub can't?

[yermom]

i haven't messed with a wireless USB hub, i have no idea what protocols or range we are talking about, or what devices.

that would also only connect to one computer, right? i'd rather have multiple computers to one printer vs. multiple printers to one computer

that shouldn't have much to do with Vista, the USB part just hits the printer and then you'd configure it over a web page most likely. it would probably show up as an IP printer, although it may have other options

[Sooner_Bob]

If worse comes to worse you could buy one of those wireless gaming adapters (USB or ethernet) and connect it directly to the printer.

That would work wouldn't it . . .

[yermom]

you'd need a network printer for that to work

and those things are retarded expensive. i just don't under stand why a router is cheaper than one of those. heck, you have to hack a router to get it to act like one of those things. it really should be the other way around

[Sooner_Bob]

you'd need a network printer for that to work

and those things are retarded expensive. i just don't under stand why a router is cheaper than one of those. heck, you have to hack a router to get it to act like one of those things. it really should be the other way around

Wouldn't you just be able to setup the USB version, plug it in and then print to the IP address of the USB wireless network/gaming adaptor?

The Wal-Mart at Danforth and Santa Fe has them clearanced at $50. I think they're Linksys models.

I have one for my Xbox 360 and it works very nicely. I can now watch my Divx files on my big screen . . .

I haven't bought a printer in forever, but can't you buy a network ready printer fairly cheap these days?

[yermom]

do the gaming adapters have USB ports?

[OUDoc]

do the gaming adapters have USB ports?
Do the chickens have large talons?

[Ike]

so maybe I'm clueless or something, but couldn't you run a print server on the wireless router and connect the printer to the router?

[Sooner_Bob]

do the gaming adapters have USB ports?


This particular model (http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-WGA54G-Wireless-G-Gaming-Adapter/dp/tech-data/B00009X6DT/ref=de_a_smtd/105-8457190-6614828) doesn't (it's what's on sale at Wally world), but this network adapter (http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/details.aspx?view=info&itemid=2561864) does.

[yermom]

that USB isn't really going the right way

[mdklatt]

so maybe I'm clueless or something, but couldn't you run a print server on the wireless router and connect the printer to the router?

:confused: The wireless router in question is a DSL modem, not a Linux box or something.

Let me be more specific.

DSL modem + laptop + photo printer + regular printer = ??

There's also a scanner in the mix, but that's not a deal breaker. It looks like a wireless USB hub would get the job done and allow both printers and the scanner to be used wirelessly by the laptop, but they're rather pricey compared to a simple print server. But I can't find a print server that works with more than one printer at a time, so there you go. Is it a big deal to simply plug in the printer you want to use or do you have to reconfigure the server each time?

[yermom]

i'd think you could switch. the drivers are all going to be on the laptop, you'd just have two print drivers that point the same path/port

[bluedogok]

What about this one: D-Link DPR-1260 RangeBooster G Multifunction Print Server (http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=482). I have seen it at CompUSA and other stores.


Product Features:
• Wirelessly Share up to 4 Printers or Multifunction Printers on your Network
• Print & Scan* When You Need to without Booting up a Host PC

[yermom]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833127074&ATT=33-127-074&CMP=KNC-AdwordsFeeder&cm_mmc=KNC-AdwordsFeeder-_-Network+-+Print/Scanner+Server-_-D-Link-_-33127074

the price isn't too bad either...

[Sooner_Bob]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833127074&ATT=33-127-074&CMP=KNC-AdwordsFeeder&cm_mmc=KNC-AdwordsFeeder-_-Network+-+Print/Scanner+Server-_-D-Link-_-33127074

the price isn't too bad either...


Sweeeeeeet. That could come in handy. I'm planning to buy a nice NAS drive at some point so I can dump my music, etc. on it and access it from either computer I have at the house. If only those 1 TB externals would come down in price a little more. :D