question about wireless networking and using a WiFi printer

[passatdoc]

Hi folks, I thought I'd ask the friendly residents here about a computer and networking question before taking it to a computer site because I trust all of you not to send flames.

I have an HP all in one printer (print/scan/copy/fax) but have never used it as a fax because there is no telephone jack near my computer desk. It is USB-hard wired into my computer. It does have WiFi capability, and I added it to my wireless home network so that I could print from my netbook computer. The netbook "sees" the printer as wireless and I can print documents wirelessly from netbook to printer.

I may need to move the printer to a different home location so I can receive faxes, i.e. near the kitchen under a bar counter on a stand. This location has a phone jack. If I did this, I would be able to receive faxes. However, I would not be able to run a USB cable from computer to printer. The main computer is plugged into the router by ethernet cable, it does not connect wirelessly to the network.

QUESTION: is there a way for the main computer to "see" the printer, so that I can print wirelessly between main computer and printer? Or must the computer itself have a wireless connection to the network (e.g. use a wireless card or USB adapter) in order to "see" the printer. Right now the computer does not "see" the computer wirelessly, but that may be because the computer is currently hard wired by USB to the printer. I suppose I could experiment by disconnecting the USB cable from computer to printer to check if the computer then "sees" the printer.

Is there a way for me to connect wirelessly via my current set-up, or do I have to connect the computer wirelessly to the router/network? Thanks in advance for your answers.

(ps: do I have to change any settings on the computer to enable sharing or to allow it to see other devices on the network? I guess what I am asking here is whether a device that is hard-wired by ethernet to the router can "see" the wireless portions of the network.)

 

[nurdlinger]

Connection via the USB is a "local" connection, as contrasted to the "network" connection obtained via the wireless radio system. I think you will need to uninstall the printer driver from the main computer, disconnect the USB cable, and then reinstall it again as a network-connected device. Since you did this once before for the netbook, it should be a similar procedure for the other computer.

Router configuration certainly plays a role, but it may be that everything will just work right away. Did you install the wireless router? If so you probably have been exposed to any configuration item which would be important.

If you have all the installation media which came with the printer and the router, risk should be low. (i.e. if it gets totally hosed, you can recreate the present condition)

 

[cleanteamofny]

Since your printer is Wi-Fi capable, you will have to use your printer setup disk to get you started by using usb connection. Then after you complete setup, unplug usb connection and add printer by new connection on your system. Since this is already done, look for network connection on your printers menu and enter your SSID and Password on your printer and then go to your PC and add new printer. Make sure your printer is not too close to your router connection or it will not recognize new wi-fi connection.

 

[passatdoc]

I originally installed the printer as a local printer via USB connection. If I understand this correctly, my steps would be:

1. Uninstall the printer from the computer

2. Remove the USB cable.

3. Reinstall printer using the install disk, but this time select "network printer" instead of "local printer". I know the admin name/password for the router if needed.

Is this sequence correct? I have the install disk. It's a low end HP all-in-one. At first I never bothered to use wireless because it was at the same desk as the computer. I now need to move it about six feet away (below a kitchen counter bar, right beneath a phone jack).

Recently I did connect the printer to the wireless network, but only for the purpose of being able to print from the netbook. At first I was using WEP security and could not get the printer to join the network. Later, I changed security to WPA2 and then I was successfully in connecting the printer to the wireless network---the code has to be entered using the printer's keypad but it's not a big deal, just a bit awkward.

The printer does work fine in wireless mode from the netbook. I was just concerned that my desktop computer wouldn't be able to "see" the wireless printer unless the computer itself used the wireless network, rather than the ethernet cable to the router that it now uses. Since I have high speed cable internet, I wouldn't want to lower the download speed by using a wireless connection between desktop computer and router. I'd prefer to keep the computer-router connection as ethernet hardwire.

 

[vacbear58]

Stating the bleeding obvious ....

I am no computer expert but it could be the wireless connectivity of the netbook is communicating directly with the wireless connectivity of the printer and not via the router. In THEORY your other computer should communicate with the printer via the router but computer theory and reality are often two very different things.

I do not know they layout of your room of course, but would it not be as simple (and potentially a LOT less frustrating) just to run a simple phone extension cord from the phone jack to the printer in its current (or previous if you have already moved it) position or get a longer USB lead if it does not run in front of door ways or "traffic" paths, especially if they are only six feet or so apart?

Just my two cents

Al

 

[cleanteamofny]

I think that is correct.
I just installed a cheap Epson all in one printer last week and had network issues and got them worked out, everthing is working fine for now!
Keep us posted!
Larry

 

[mattl]

I have my all in one wifi printer set next to my computer and it works fine without a wired connection.  As long as your computer is connected to a wireless capable router you are good to go.  If your netpad prints so will your computer.  All the previous advice applies, you just need to tell the computer you have a net-enabled printer.  I would not bother to uninstall drivers, at some point you may want to reconnect.  Just add a printer to your computer and choose network and it should ask for the disk.

 

[passatdoc]

The reason why I can't run a longer phone line is that the computer desk is situated in what should have been a breakfast nook/room. Between this area and the kitchen is the door to the garage. Floor is tile. I could run a very long phone line either over or under the door, but it would be very unsightly, and maybe a hazard. (if they sold devices to make phone jacks wireless for faxing, I'd buy one).

Placing it on a small table, under the wall end of the counter bar, would be much less obtrusive, plus there is a phone jack just above the wall end of the counter bar. There is currently nothing underneath the bar at that point and the printer is only 17" long, very compact. I have a small teak parson-style table that would accommodate the printer very neatly. Also, I have a cordless phone plugged into that jack (above the bar). I guess I could get a two-in-one adapter and thus plug in both the phone and the printer. to keep things neat. I don't have an answering machine anymore----most people with a reason to call me know my cell number, and the land line is there just for emergencies (or for fax). Because I get tv and internet from Cox, they provide a land line at half the normal charge. With no answering machine, I assume unanswered land line calls would go to the fax. At least I hope so.

 

[passatdoc]

so far, so good

I tried the "Add A Printer" function in Control Panel, did not work.

The printer (HP OfficeJet J4680) is about two years old. I do have the original install CD, but I looked at HP's support/drivers section and learned that they offer an updated, downloadable full version of the software (290 MB), issued April 2011---which is more up to date than my install disk (dated 2008).

I started up the install software and the first question was "Do you wish to install a local printer or a network printer?". I hit the "network printer" tab and it's now half way through the install. First, it removed the existing installation. I have the printer off and the USB cord disconnected. Will turn them on when instructed to do so by the software. Will keep you updated as it happens.

Thanks for your help, it's kept me safe thus far.

 

[passatdoc]

YAY! It works!

Followed the directions and turned on printer and WiFi radio when prompted. The installer did the rest. Nice, clean installation. There are some new features and an enhanced control center, an improvement over the original software. In addition, the new install included an update notifier which advised me to download and install two updates. You hit one button and it does the rest. I printed a test page and then a document and both look great. Time to put that USB cord to better use!

So far I haven't moved it from the computer desk to the table under the kitchen bar counter, but that's my next project, and then I want to configure the fax functions.

Thanks again for all your help.

 

[cleanteamofny]

That's what we are here for, share the knowledge and pass it on!
If we keep it to ourselves and die, the secrets will not be passed on and we all lose!

 

[passatdoc]

Thanks. I had installed the printer the first time (as a local printer) about two years ago, so I don't even remember much about the initial install. It now appears that you must make the network vs. local decision very early in the install process. I had uninstalled the printer in Control Panel, but had not removed the HP software. Apparently, by running the install software again, and by choosing Network, the install program first removed my old installation (removed all the HP software) before reinstalling the 2011 software (my original install was from my 2008 install disk).

Although I had a wireless router when I bought the printer, I never bothered to explore the wireless capabilities of the printer because it was just easier to run a USB cable from printer to computer (at the same desk). Also, my first few attempts to connect the printer via WiFi to the wireless network met with failure: apparenly the printer has a difficult time with WEP security. A few months ago, I changed the security to WPA2, and at that point I was able to connect the printer to the wireless network, allowing me to add the printer to my netbook. What I had long forgotten was that when I installed the printer in 2009, my choice of "local" printer at the first installation window meant that I'd have to do a re-install if I wanted to use it wirelessly.

I've never had a fax at home, but now I see an opportunity. My land line is almost never used, anyone with a need to know has my mobile number. I keep the land line because it's half price with my Cox bundle. I don't do a ton of printing, so having the printer six feet away (across the garage door way and tucked underneath the kitchen bar where it meets the wall) is do-able. I no longer have an answering machine (because anyone with my mobile number can leave a voice mail), so there would be no interference for those needing to fax me something. Mainly, I need it as an outbound fax. There are items I need to fax that I end up bringing to the office with me because I have no way to fax them at home.

 

[passatdoc]

update: it seems to be working

I moved it across the doorway and it now sits on its own teak parson's table. I may need to use it for faxing for the next month or two. Then it can go back to its old position in the computer desk hutch, but I will leave it as wireless and not use the USB connection again. It works fine as a printer this way. The only downside would be if I wanted to scan a photo or pile of papers into a PDF----it's no longer within arm's reach, I'd have to get up, and bend down a bit (table height is about 18 inches) to load the Automatic Document Feeder or lift the lid to scan from the glass screen.

I used my cell phone to call my house phone, after about six rings the fax answered and I heard the screeching "fax noise", so i assume it would have received a fax had I been dialing from a fax. I am going to play with the fax settings, maybe to reduce the number of rings before it answers and to mute the volume. I disconnected the cordless phone that was connected there and gave the printer/fax a dedicated phone plug. I found a single-outlet surge protector and plugged the fax into that protector, since it's no longer connected to the surge protector I use for the computer itself. Hopefully that will work.

Thanks for your help!