Comments | luciab: calling on the LJ brain

luciab

calling on the LJ brain

Oct 22, 2008 13:49

This is a question about computer networking, I think. I decided to hook up the new printer to the network instead of directly to the Mac. I put the drivers for the printer on the Mac. (Haven't messed with the Dell yet. Should I confuse myself further at this point? Or does it make a difference? Not sure how this works. If it's on the Mac, and the ( Read more... )

cats, computer

Comments 5

redsquirrel October 23 2008, 00:01:18 UTC

What model printer do you have? Is it a network-ready model? If it's not, you need an (additional) external print server widget to run it as a network printer. People do use these, which is why the drivers are included even if it's not a network-ready computer. External print servers run about $30-$90, depending on functionality.

luciab October 23 2008, 00:26:02 UTC

Yeah, all the instructions talk about how to do the network installation. It's an HP C7280 Al-in-One. Maybe I'm using the wrong terminology, but the printer and the WiFi router recognized each other so I figured that was hunky dory. Did I miss something?

redsquirrel October 23 2008, 16:03:35 UTC

Yup, that's a network-ready model alright, the networking functionality's built into it.

If it were a PC I'd check to see if the printer showed up in the Device Manager as installed but unfortunately you're a Mac girl and I know squat about Macs. Hmmm...my friend gilmoure is a Mac tech. Lemme see if I can point him your way. (Depends on how bored he is at work right now.)

luciab October 23 2008, 19:40:25 UTC

Well, it shows up under "Applications" as HP and then Device Utilities but it's not under the Applications subheading "Utilities". However, it IS printer that shows up as the default when I go to "System Preferences" and click "Print & Fax."

gilmoure October 24 2008, 04:46:34 UTC

Hi!

First, what do all the computers plug in to, for networking? Do you have a router with several ethernet ports, that shares out a high speed internet connection (cable or dsl)? If so, what's the brand of the router?

On the Mac, if you go to Apple Menu/System Prefs/Printers and Faxes, you should see it listed there. High light it and then hit Open Print Queue. If it comes up, make sure that the print queue isn't stopped.

I can't check LJ during the day so if you want to email me: gilmoure at gmail dot org.