Wireless Network Printing - Printer Communication Failure

[Guest]

Running Windows Vista Business 32 on a new Dell Latitude D820, network is
structured around a Linksys WRT54G wireless router, Lexmark X9350 All-in-one
(802.11G wireless communication).

I've been able to get the printer/scanner working, but more often than not I
get a alert window pop up stating "Printer Communication Stopped and the
program was shut down". I shut down the laptop, cycle power on the Lexmark
(and load factory defaults) and also cycle power on the wireless router.
Sometimes this will get the printer communicating with the network and
sometimes it does not. The technical support at lexmark is pathetic. They
tell me it's my firewall settings. Why would the printer communicate and
then mysteriously stop talking to the laptop. I've checked the communication
between the printer and the wireless router after I get the communication
failure poop up and it's still connected. Including the laptop there are two
PC's on the network that never loose communications with the wireless router.
So it looks like it maybe a OS or driver issue. Any suggestions are greatly
appreciated.

 

[Cari \(MS-MVP\)]

Yes the firewall can definitely get 'in the way' of communication...... what
firewal software are you using.

I presume the Linksys wireless router is assigning the DHCP address
correctly to both PC and printer?

Are you using a cordless phone in the same household as the wireless-g
network... if it's on the same frequency, this can also definitely cause
communication problems... as can a microwave. You might want to also ask in
the networking newsgroup, as this is a networking issue, rather than a
printing one.

 

[Guest]

Cari,

Thanks for the info. Yes, I've got a cordless phone in my home. However,
the wireless network is downstairs and about 100' + away from my office where
the printer, router and laptop are located. That may seem strange, having
all devices in one location less than 10' distance apart. I generally use my
laptop upstairs, but troubleshooting this networking (specifically the
printer) issue means I need to have all devices as close as possible.
Microwave is not an issue either. I'm experiencing intermittent
communications, so firewall settings are correct as I would not be able to
have any communications if the settings were incorrect. I hope that Lexmark
responds to my request, I sent them a detailed message related to the issue.
I'm definitely leaning in the direction that this issue is related to the
Lexmark X9350 driver. I'll post the solution when and if I get it resolved.
Thanks again.

Trent