How to use a printer wirelessly

[rgillis]

I have a printer than has usb ports. Is it possible to get a usb
wireless adapter to make my printer wireless? I have a laptop and a
wireless router and I would like to be able to use my printer without
having to haul up to the office printer every time.

 

[Lem]

I have a printer than has usb ports. Is it possible to get a usb
wireless adapter to make my printer wireless? I have a laptop and a
wireless router and I would like to be able to use my printer without
having to haul up to the office printer every time.

Yes -- probably. And if you have an AIO device rather than a simple
printer, the scan/fax functions may not work. Look for "wireless print
server" from Linksys, DLink, Netgear, etc. Read the product
descriptions carefully. Get a device that supports at least WPA
encryption or you'll have to change your entire wireless network to WEP
(very undesirable).

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=371
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=wireless+print+server

Note that these gadgets are not particularly inexpensive. It's "almost"
worthwhile to get a printer with built-in wireless capability (you'll
pay more, but you'll be certain that all printer functions will work):
http://www.nextag.com/wireless-printer/search-html
(From what I've seen, I'm not sure that I'd get a Lexmark, but the hp
6980 is very nice. Do some research before you buy).

 

[rgillis]

rgillis wrote:-
I have a printer than has usb ports. Is it possible to get a usb
wireless adapter to make my printer wireless? I have a laptop and a
wireless router and I would like to be able to use my printer without
having to haul up to the office printer every time.



-
Yes -- probably. And if you have an AIO device rather than a simple
printer, the scan/fax functions may not work. Look for "wireless prin

server" from Linksys, DLink, Netgear, etc. Read the product
descriptions carefully. Get a device that supports at least WPA
encryption or you'll have to change your entire wireless network to WE

(very undesirable).

http://tinyurl.com/3tqoz
http://tinyurl.com/yst4vp

Note that these gadgets are not particularly inexpensive. It'
"almost"
worthwhile to get a printer with built-in wireless capability (you'll
pay more, but you'll be certain that all printer functions will work):
http://www.nextag.com/wireless-printer/search-html
(From what I've seen, I'm not sure that I'd get a Lexmark, but the hp
6980 is very nice. Do some research before you buy).


--
Lem MS MVP -- Networking

To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

Thanks so much. I just bought a Netgear Print Server. Seems that i
will be as simple as running the printer thru it and it to the router.
Beyond that I'll have to figure out how I need to set it up in XP but i
doesn't seem that it would be that difficult

 

[Lem]

Thanks so much. I just bought a Netgear Print Server. Seems that it
will be as simple as running the printer thru it and it to the router.
Beyond that I'll have to figure out how I need to set it up in XP but it
doesn't seem that it would be that difficult.

It should not be difficult to set up. Just remember (from the "Netgear
Print Server Compatibility List"):