network printer

[SteveSX]

I have a home network (two desktops and an HP printer plugged into three
ports on a LinkSys router). Everything works fine if I turn the printer on
BEFORE I turn the computers on. But if the printer is off when I boot the
computers, I can't print unless I reboot. Is there any way to tell Windows
(Vista on one computer, XP on the other) to notice that I've just turned the
printer on?

 

[Malke]

I have a home network (two desktops and an HP printer plugged into three
ports on a LinkSys router). Everything works fine if I turn the printer on
BEFORE I turn the computers on. But if the printer is off when I boot the
computers, I can't print unless I reboot. Is there any way to tell Windows
(Vista on one computer, XP on the other) to notice that I've just turned the
printer on?

No, there isn't. Just leave the printer on; there is no reason to turn
it off and as you've discovered things don't work correctly if you
remove network devices (by turning them off).


Malke

 

[John B]

This is an interesting quirk (and caveat) of which I was unaware.
There are many ways to connect a printer. Could you please elaborate on
your printer connection. I presume it's connected to the USB port of ...
the Vista computer??

A likely remedy would be for you employ a "print server," readily available
at Newegg.com. These consume little power, stay on all the time, and
provide an ethernet interface to a non-ethernet equipped printer. I cycle
power on my USB printer, which lies "behind" such a print server. But I
never had your problem, ever, in the first place, nor have I seen that
anywhere before.

 

[Jack \(MVP-Networking\).]

Hi
You should assign a Static IP to the printer that is out of the DHCP Range.
When you switch the printer On as a first Network device it probably obtains
an IP that is later on Not recognized by the computers.
If configured with a static IP the printer would be always in the same
address and this easily found by the Network.
Network printers static IP can usually be configured through the printer's
software utility, consult the printer's manual
Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

[John B]

Yes.
That I have always used static IP addresses for my print servers might
explain why I've never had this problem.

 

[SteveSX]

Hi
You should assign a Static IP to the printer that is out of the DHCP Range.
When you switch the printer On as a first Network device it probably obtains
an IP that is later on Not recognized by the computers.
If configured with a static IP the printer would be always in the same
address and this easily found by the Network.
Network printers static IP can usually be configured through the printer's
software utility, consult the printer's manual
Jack (MVP-Networking).




Jack -

Thanks very much for your reply. I looked around in the software that
controls my new HP Officejet Pro L7580 printer/scanner/fax and found a tab
that will let me change a radio button from Automatic IP to Manual IP. As
it is now (automatic), the host name is HP9FF5AE and the IP addr is
192.168.1.102 and the default gateway is 192.168.1.1, which I guess is the
address of the LinkSys router to which the printer is attached. If I select
the Manual IP radio button I'm going to have to enter an IP addr, a
subnetmask, and a default gateway. I'm not smart enough to do that. Can you
tell me what to enter?
Thanks a lot for your help.
Steve

 

[John B]

ip device address must be outside the range of DHCP-assigned addresses,
which is presumably 192.168.1.100 through 192.168.1.149. So use
192.168.1.81 for your printer.
Mask should be 255.255.255.0 in the printer, as it is everywhere else on the
LAN side (protected, interior side) of your router.
Gateway as you discerned: 192.168.1.1; this is the LAN side address of your
router. I don't know why a print server would need to know a default
gateway (to the internet) but if it asks for this, supply this number.

BTW, the "WAN" side (internet side) of your router has a very different IP
address, so don't be shocked if you run across it while inspecting the
settings within your router. By default, it is acquired automatically.
Don't worry about this. You might just be loosely aware of it, though.

 

[SteveSX]

ip device address must be outside the range of DHCP-assigned addresses,
which is presumably 192.168.1.100 through 192.168.1.149. So use
192.168.1.81 for your printer.
Mask should be 255.255.255.0 in the printer, as it is everywhere else on the
LAN side (protected, interior side) of your router.
Gateway as you discerned: 192.168.1.1; this is the LAN side address of your
router. I don't know why a print server would need to know a default
gateway (to the internet) but if it asks for this, supply this number.

BTW, the "WAN" side (internet side) of your router has a very different IP
address, so don't be shocked if you run across it while inspecting the
settings within your router. By default, it is acquired automatically.
Don't worry about this. You might just be loosely aware of it, though.

--
Sent via OE by John, from MERCURY



Jack -

I sat down just now to enter the numbers you suggest, and low and behold
my PC found the HP printer before I did anything. It seems that the wisest
plan is to leave well enough alone, so I won't do anything right now. But I
have saved your advice and will implement it when and if necessary.
Thank you very much for your help.

Steve