Printing Over Network Problem

Hi:

Home network printing capability no longer works from computer (#1) though it had been working for 12+ months. I am not aware of any specific event that might have caused this to stop working.

In addition, I can still network print Ok from computer #2. And, I can still print OK from computer #1 when connect direct to same printer (via USB) and print as local print option.

Printer:
- Lexmark E250d (downloaded / installed latest drivers)

Computer #1:
- Lenova Thinkpad T410, XP, 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3
- Connected direct to router via ethernet cable; however, did try printing wirelessly (as this is how computer #2 prints) but did not work
- Computer uses VPN for work but have unsuccessfully tried printing while not VPN connected

Network:
- Router: Airport Extreme Base Station, Latest Firmware 7.5.2; Connected to printer via USB
- Used Bonjour to setup network printer; have reinstalled Bonjour software on computer and re-setup computer to print

Firewall:
- Symantec Client Firewall: have tried temporarily turning off firewall but did not work


Computer, router, printer, firewall, user . . .or all of the above! . . issue?
Thank you for helping! CAS

 

So the printer has an IP address?

One thing to see if you can connect to a dummy shared file on Computer #2 to see if it is communicating in the network.

 

I would delete the printer from XP then reinstall it. If you had it setup as a network printer before, XP should see it on the network when you reinstall it.

Sam

 

I may be using term "network" incorrectly . . having spent the better part of the evening trying to setup and connect to a shared file on computer 2 I realize I don't have a computer / printer shared network but rather just use router to connect to internet and printer. This also was apparent when I deleted the printer in XP and tried to reconnect using "Add Printer" on the network. Found nothing. Rather, the way I am connecting to the printer is through the Bonjour utility which recognizes the printer on the Airport router. Maybe it's the same thing as "Add Printer" function but just automated so novices like me can get connected?

Still no luck printing . . .

 

OK I have an Epson NX420 wireless "network" printer on home network. I didn't have to do much other than run the software that came with it which said it was setting up the printer as a device through the router. Then I just ran the software on each computer on our network (2 hardwired, 2 wireless) and we can all print. Running Win 7 on all computers though.

What is odd is when I check in the port properties for the printer it doesn't show me an IP address, just shows it as EpsonNet Print Port. Checking the IP list in the router does show an IP address higher up than the computers we have so I'm guessing that's it.

Have you run the software that came with the printer?

Sam

 

Yeah, it only really shows the IP if you manually create a new TCP/IP port for the printer.

I am unfamiliar with Bonjour and how it works with printers. The settings on Computer #2 should mirror Computer #1.

So does the printer have an Ethernet cord plugged into it? or usb to a unit of some sort?

 

Well, your network is basically how your computers communicate to each other, printers, and the internet. You most likely have a simple home network. But to share files and folders or printers to another computer you have to first enable them.

For instances:

1. Create a new folder on your desktop.
2. Right click the folder and go to Properties.
3. Click Sharing tab and Enable sharing.
4. On the other computer. Go Start -> Run and type "\\computer2" without the " " (where computer2 = the name of the computer that you just shared the folder on) To find the name of the computer right click My Computer and go to Properties. The name should be listed there or in another Tab(on XP).

You might need to edit permissions to the shared folder. But you should be able to at least see the folder when connecting to the other computer.

You might even want to share the printer if you are able to connect to the other computer.

 

It's working!

The last 24 hrs has been educational in trying to perform some of the recommendations here and once I had a better understanding of a network I found I could simply add a network computer from the Windows XP "Add Printer" capability instead of relying on the Bonjour utility that came with the router and I guess is suppose to simplify an already simple process?!?

Thank you for the help!
CAS

 

Hope I was helpful.

 

Yes! Thank you!

 

Hi I have a netowrk printer installed on my network, it is plugged into the router with a cat5 cable, and it supposedly has an IP address. I have gone to my router page, and it can see a device (although it is unknown) at that ip address, which makes me think that it is there.

I am able to install the printer, however, whenever I try to print to it, it just does nothing. I am not sure what is going wrong.

I have just reinstalled windows, and it worked before the fresh install. I have downloaded the drivers for it from the Fuji Xerox website (as it is a FX DocuCentre 1085), and it installed as you would expect it to.

I have tried printing simple text files, as well as running the test page on the printer properties, however nothing comes out.

Any suggestions?

Regards