Problem with router for Macbook

Gratis

Figment,

Figment wrote: »

The current model MBA does not have an ethernet port, an ethernet USB adapter would be required.

Quite so. You are right to chide my flippancy over that.

I would have thought, however, that a USB Ethernet Adaptor would be regarded as an essential accessory for an Airbook. Certainly, if I was buying an Airbook I would include one in my purchase.

Figment wrote: »

Two points:

1) A static IP for the MacBook Air is NOT necessary, nor would I recommend it, as it could cause problems when accessing other wireless networks.

2) The MBA would have detected/installed the printer at the IP address the printer had been allocated at the time it was added. If the OP deletes the printer from the MBA now and then adds it as a new printer, the MBA will detect and install it, and the chances are the OP will be able to print wirelessly from the MBA. However, turn the printer off for 24 hours or more and on next power on there is a possibility a different IP address will be allocated by DHCP. This is where the issue arises as the MBA will still try to use the IP address stored in Print and Fax properties.

I was not suggesting that the Airbook should be configured with a static IP. I was suggesting that the router be configured to assign fixed IPs to both the printer and the Airbook under DHCP. This would not affect the Airbook in any way and would certainly not cause it problems when accessing other wireless networks. It would simply mean that whenever the OP logs into his/her home network, the router would always assign it the same IP under DHCP. If the same is done for the printer, the route between them will always be the same. This would prevent any problems of the type to which you allude in your second point.

I have, for many years, configured my own routers to assign specific static IPs to every every single device on my home network and everything has always always worked faultlessly – including all our mobile devices, both at home and elsewhere.

With regard to: “If the OP deletes the printer from the MBA now and then adds it as a new printer, the MBA will detect and install it, and the chances are the OP will be able to print wirelessly from the MBA,” the grievance of the OP, as expressed originally, was: “My issue is the communication link between my Mac and my printer. there seem to be a barrier between them as i am unable to print wirelessly to the printer.” The inference to be drawn from that was that the OP had never been able to print wirelessly from the Airbook.

The fundamental point I was trying to make myself was that if the correct driver for the printer had not been installed on the Airbook there would be no possibility of it ever being able to print wirelessly.

So it was essential to establish that that had been done first, before messing about with ports and router configurations.



gino_76ph,

I am not sure.

But my curent (sic) Mac OS version is 10.7.4. do i still need to download the "Combo" pack?

If your current Mac OS version is 10.7.4, you are up to date.

It’s still a good idea, nevertheless, to download the Combo Installer file and store it on your hard drive. If ever your system needs repairing or restoring, you will be able to do it without having to access the Internet (which may not be available to you if/when you need to do it).

Like i have said i can print websites and my Amazon/Ebay seller invoices with no problem as i am printing it via the Google Cloud print way. Only .doc files from NeoOffice & OpenOffice doesn't print via direct wireless printing. (which i think is similar to the way it prints via GCP)

No. You never “said” any such thing. You gave no indication whatsoever that you had ever been able to print anything wirelessly at all. What you wrote was:

gino_76ph wrote: »

My issue is the communication link between my Mac and my printer. there seem to be a barrier between them as i am unable to print wirelessly to the printer.

Which, effectively, states the complete opposite.

Figment

Gratis wrote: »

Figment,

Quite so. You are right to chide my flippancy over that.

I would have thought, however, that a USB Ethernet Adaptor would be regarded as an essential accessory for an Airbook. Certainly, if I was buying an Airbook I would include one in my purchase.

I have recently purchased a new MacBook Air. I did not purchase a USB ethernet adapter, as I saw no benefit, and (so far) have had no use for one

Gratis wrote: »

I was not suggesting that the Airbook should be configured with a static IP. I was suggesting that the router be configured to assign fixed IPs to both the printer and the Airbook under DHCP. This would not affect the Airbook in any way and would certainly not cause it problems when accessing other wireless networks. It would simply mean that whenever the OP logs into his/her home network, the router would always assign it the same IP under DHCP. If the same is done for the printer, the route between them will always be the same. This would prevent any problems of the type to which you allude in your second point.

There's a difference between static and reserved IPs. A static IP does not need or use DHCP, a reserved IP does.

Gratis

Figment wrote: »

I have recently purchased a new MacBook Air. I did not purchase a USB ethernet adapter, as I saw no benefit, and (so far) have had no use for one



There's a difference between static and reserved IPs. A static IP does not need or use DHCP, a reserved IP does.

Thanks for clarifying that. :money:

Clearly, the word I should have used, to express what I meant, is "reserved", not "static".

Apologies if this caused any confusion.

I would find the Ethernet adaptor useful for direct connection by cable to devices that are not equipped with wireless (for example, my modem, my principal router, televisions, older Macs...)

Bootsox

Presume you have access to the manual for your printer (there is specific reference to MACs in there)?

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02983578.pdf

Do you know if the wireless connection is made directly between printer and MAC or MAC-wireless router-printer?

Figment

It would be connecting via the router.

By the way, to avoid confusion may I point out that 'MAC' = Media Access Control (as in MAC address). 'Mac' is the accepted abbreviation for certain Apple products.

All Macs have a MAC. Not all MACs have a Mac!