Laptop-do you need a wireless printer?

Floozie

As a technophobe with no idea about technical issues would anyone be able to help me with this query which is probably easy for you computer geeks!

We have a laptop and an old desktop computer with wireless broadband and a HPF2480 printer. We print from the desktop computer but would like to print from the laptop. We have managed to do this using a cable linked from the laptop to the printer but my question is do you have to have a cable linking the laptop to the printer or is there any way you could be in a different room with your laptop and send something to print to a printer which is in a different room. I hope this makes sense to you computer boffins.
Hope someone can enlighten us.

bengalknights

Set the printer to share over network and then you should be able to print from laptop with pc acting as print server

wayneo01

Above is correct but just make sure that the computer the printer is connected upto is turned on, you will not be able to print to the printer if the computer is off.
Also need to make sure that the computer it is hooked upto has no jobs waiting in the que (Failed print jobs) as these will take priority and you will not be able to print anything from the laptop untill these are deleted.

Kernel_Sanders

May I be the first to welcome you to the forum Wayne, and first to thank you too. (and the first to pull you up on the spelling of queue )

bengalknights wrote: »

Set the printer to share over network and then you should be able to print from laptop with pc acting as print server

These two computers may not be networked or both available at the same time. How about bluetooth?

johnmc

One suggestion here;
http://compnetworking.about.com/od/homenetworking/ig/Home-Network-Diagrams/Wired-Router-Network-Diagram.htm

Graystreet

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

These two computers may not be networked or both available at the same time. How about bluetooth?

This all assumes that the manual I've been looking at on the HP website is the correct one for your printer

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/manualCategory?cc=uk&lc=en&dlc=en&document=&product=3811337

The printer does not appear to have built in Bluetooth connectivity, you could get a Bluetooth Print server but I'm not sure how well that would work with printing from one room to another. I've never used one.

The printer does not have a network connector either but you could get a print server, you can get them either wired directly to your router or that connect wirelessly, set that up on your network, and then plug your printer into that using your existing USB cable.

Then you could print wirelessly from your laptop or your desktop.

debitcardmayhem

Does the router have a USB port and print spooling facility ?

Elliott_Fox

At the end of the day a new wireless printer is about £50+ and your printer is worth nothing (checked ebay) it would be alot less hassle to just buy one next time your ink runs out.

MarrowFarmer

Elliott_Fox wrote: »

At the end of the day a new wireless printer is about £50+ and your printer is worth nothing (checked ebay) it would be alot less hassle to just buy one next time your ink runs out.

How does that advice fit in with a money saving forum?

Just share the printer on the PC, it's free and it works. You will need the PC and Printer to be on to print to the printer (just on not logged in).

Share the printer on the PC.
On the laptop navigate to [URL="file://\\COMPUTERNAME*"]\\COMPUTERNAME*[/URL] right click on the printer share and connect.

*COMPUTERNAME being the name of the PC the printer is attached to.

Floozie

debitcardmayhem wrote: »

Does the router have a USB port and print spooling facility ?

My BT Home Hub has a slot for USB, one for GigE(whatever that is!) and slots for ethernet. On the front of the hub there are lights for power, boradbank and wireless.
Sorry if this sounds amateurish but my knowledge is limited!

johnmc

Take a look here
http://community.bt.com/t5/Other-BB-Queries/BT-HomeHub-3-0-and-Wired-Printer/td-p/584249

Try plugging the printers USB cable into the homehub and see if it is recognised. If not, leave it in and reboot the homehub.

Worth a try before spending any money.