Wireless Printer Network

[Jacqui]

Hi Guys
What I want to do is find a way to set up a wireless printer to print from a pc and two laptops,without having to always have my main pc on, I have them working through the network now, but installed them initially with my pc and shared them on the network, but now if you want to print from the laptops my pc has to be on, is there a way round that.
one is XP the pc, one laptop is vista, and other one is windows 7, just to make it easy! all are wireless and a Belkin wireless router.

Jacqui

[JohnG]

Hi Jacqui,

Not too sure if this is the right solution Jacqui as, if the printer is wireless, you should be able to access it from any PC that has a wireless connection. It should just be a case of setting up the wireless drivers in every PC. It shouldn't matter which version of Windows you're using. But I seem to recall, from way back, that one PC has to act as the print server.

However, there are such things as "print servers". Take a look at this site, they might be able to help with some advice and possibly a wireless print server. I haven't used them before and so can't vouch for their knowledge or customer service. I'm sure you could find a lot more if you searched, maybe even something local.

www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/default_shopgroup.asp?shopgroupid=19

The TP-link one, "TP-LINK TL-WPS510U Wireless USB Print Server 802.11b/g", may be what you need for example.

Regards,
JohnG.

[Jacqui]

Hi John
Thanks for the advise, yes I thought I should be able to use it from any pc/laptop, but when I do a search from the laptop it only finds it via my pc route, which means that would need to be on as well, I installed it on the pc first.
I asked in a pc shop and they were complete dimwits.
I might try uninstalling from my pc and then starting off with it from the laptop first, see if it might make a difference, worth a shot.

Jacqui

[JohnG]

Hi Jacqui,
Yes, looking at my old notes on the subject, it seems one device has to be the 'print server' in the network. Of course, if that device is turned off then there's no route to the printer. However, I imagine any device can have the server software installed and it would make sense for that to be in the PC that is used most often, preferably always on when using the system.

The alternative, if there's no 'always on' PC, is to have a device (as in my first post on the subject), as a dedicated print server box. It can be powered up when the printer is and is there to 'spool' the data to the printer. Many office printers have a print server built into them these days. I'm kind of surprised yours doesn't.

Regards,
JohnG.

[Jacqui]

John
How would I find out if it had a print server built in to the printer

I have 2 wireless printers
Canon MX350
Kodak Hero 3.1

[JohnG]

Hi Jacqui,

I hate to say it, but I'd check the manual.
There's usually a set up guide there ... if there is an integrated print server.

Regards,
JohnG.

[Jacqui]

OK John Will check on that
Thank You

Jacqui