One for the IT bods......

[Azman]

Hi guys.

In the ever persuing art of setting up my home network I am now trying to get my lappie to be able to print through the network. The printer is currently hooked up to the desk top but I would like that to be not the case as the desktop will have to be on to print from. correct? So what to do or get.. I have a netgear wireless router and the desktop is plugged into it at the mo leaving 3 spare plgs at the back....

Possible or not possible... Basically I want to be able to print from my inkjet (which is a USB only printer BTW) from the lappie without the desktop being on..

Or can someone who knows all about this stuff come and set my network up as I have a 1000gb network drive arriving next week....

Cheers and sorry for the 4yrold type question but when it comes to this I haven't got a clue...

Az

[Cullam3n]

There is something you can buy made specially for this purpose. I forgot the real name, I think it's just called a print server. Basically acts like the computer you described; you plug the printer into that and on the back of it is a ethernet port, just hook that up to the router and it should work. Never used one before personally but that sounds like what you are looking for.

PS if you need any help setting up the network let me know

[Nuvo]

You need a wireless print server. Netgear do them.
Something like this should be suitable for your needs.

Have a read at the tech spec document linked at the foot of the page for more information. This one retails at 55 quid ex VAT.

[Azman]

Cheers guys will start to have a mooch.
@ Cullam keep an eye on this thread... May be calling on you bud.
Az

[mcandmar]

Wired or Wireless, HP Jetdirect boxs work the best but they are expensive.

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF05a/18972-18972-236253-34214-64302-28830.html?jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

What make/model is your printer?

[Greg_S]

linksys also make USB printer servers, I will check which version my mum has spare now and can prob get you a bit of a deal on that, provided you have an ethernet connection to wire it all to your wireless. also a 4 port hub too

[Big_kev]

As greg said HP jetdirect box connected to the netowrk. Ip address will be assigned to the jetdirect box and you can then use the IP address to print to.

[Azman]

you are all talkign jibberish... Can cope with most computer things but when it comes to networking I is pants.... Think I need to reset the whole thing and start again as the lappie is picking up three different networks all from my one router????? Think I has dropped one somewhere along the line........

Anyway this is the drive I ahve one the way

http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.202-7776.aspx

Chesp for a terabyte eh

[Azman]

Cheers Greg let me know

[curlyks2]

Whatever your choice, check out the compatibility lists for the various options first. Netgear's is here, and I'm sure a quick search will find the others.

Ck.

[Azman]

yarp, printer is on the netgear list...