Print Server connection keeps disconnecting

I often lose the connection to my printer server and have to back out
of my attempt to print and reprint to restore the connection (hitting
"retry" does not do it). Any suggestions? Thanks.

My setup: I have 2 pcs, one running win98se (this is where I usually
lose the connection) and one running winxp. They both connect to a
linksys 4 port router. I have a linksys print server that also
connects to the router as well as a new HP usb printer.

"shermo" <shermo_6@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:b9cbdcf2.0406100528.79e97e2b@posting.google.com...
> I often lose the connection to my printer server and have to back out
> of my attempt to print and reprint to restore the connection (hitting
> "retry" does not do it). Any suggestions? Thanks.
>
> My setup: I have 2 pcs, one running win98se (this is where I usually
> lose the connection) and one running winxp. They both connect to a
> linksys 4 port router. I have a linksys print server that also
> connects to the router as well as a new HP usb printer.
Review all of the network settings on the win98se computer. The problem
seems to be one of timeout.

If that doesn't work (and it probably won't), update the win98se to winxp.
Winxp is more stable and fault resistant than win98se.

Jim

"Jim" <j.n@nospam.com> wrote in message news:<iz_xc.5534$pR5.641@newssvr22.news.prodigy.com>...
> "shermo" <shermo_6@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:b9cbdcf2.0406100528.79e97e2b@posting.google.com...
> > I often lose the connection to my printer server and have to back out
> > of my attempt to print and reprint to restore the connection (hitting
> > "retry" does not do it). Any suggestions? Thanks.
> >
> > My setup: I have 2 pcs, one running win98se (this is where I usually
> > lose the connection) and one running winxp. They both connect to a
> > linksys 4 port router. I have a linksys print server that also
> > connects to the router as well as a new HP usb printer.
> Review all of the network settings on the win98se computer. The problem
> seems to be one of timeout.
>
> If that doesn't work (and it probably won't), update the win98se to winxp.
> Winxp is more stable and fault resistant than win98se.
>
> Jim


Spoke w/ HP support and they confirmed my worse fears, the HP 3 in 1
does not work w/ a print server (I believe the scanner in particular
needs to the bi-directional communication which is forfeited w/ the
print server). Before I return my new print server, is there any work
arounds?

1. I assume I can set up my win98se pc as the print server. Is this
simply by attaching printer directly to win98se pc, "share" the
printer, and then on other pc set up a new printer port corresponding
to the "print server" pc's network IP address?

2. I've seen other posts talking about enabling ECP and then the
bi-directional communication will work thru a print sever. Is this
true, and if so, how would one do that?

3. Prior to buying the print server, I shared a printer by attaching
both pc's parallel ports to an auto data switch, which attached to my
old parallel printer. Since my new 3 in 1 only has a usb connection,
I chose to tag onto my wired ethernet network/router setup. Does
there exist a usb auto data switch that I could utilize?

4. Other ideas?