Repurposing old laptop

rmg1

I think I'm finally understanding this. 
The cable is superfluous to requirements. 

Next question is, how do I check if the printer can be seen via the router or, if it isn't, get it seen via the router?

flaneurs_lobster

rmg1 said:

I think I'm finally understanding this. 
The cable is superfluous to requirements. 

Next question is, how do I check if the printer can be seen via the router or, if it isn't, get it seen via the router?

Standard setup of the printer, configured via the LCD screen. Start at NETWORK and work through the options.

If the printer cannot "see" the router (too far away, too much stuff in between, rubbish wireless hardware) then all bets are off and you are back to that old laptop, although can that see the router from it's proposed position?

Vitor

Connect HLL3230CDW to a wireless computer - Windows also cover HL-L3210CW

jshm2

rmg1 said:

In some semblance of order:-
It's a Brother colour laser (can't remember the exact model) and there's no network port on it
@flaneurs_lobster - thanks for the detailed instructions (hopefully I can follow them)

@sk2402005 - it's already wireless, but I need to use a couple of wired connections (machines don't have wireless capabilities) and it's a faff having to move the USB cable between machines

@Frozen_up_north - I did think about that, but I already have the laptop sat gathering dust

@jshm2 - wouldn't know where to start making it into a arcade machine

@droopsnoot - exactly my point

@Ergates - it's more saving the faff of moving the USB cable between machines

You can make it into an arcade machine using MAME

rmg1

flaneurs_lobster said:

rmg1 said:

I think I'm finally understanding this. 
The cable is superfluous to requirements. 

Next question is, how do I check if the printer can be seen via the router or, if it isn't, get it seen via the router?

Standard setup of the printer, configured via the LCD screen. Start at NETWORK and work through the options.

If the printer cannot "see" the router (too far away, too much stuff in between, rubbish wireless hardware) then all bets are off and you are back to that old laptop, although can that see the router from it's proposed position?

It can see the wireless signal but I'm assuming that's not enough?
The laptop will be on a little shelf under the printer so there will be plenty of cable

flaneurs_lobster

rmg1 said:

It can see the wireless signal but I'm assuming that's not enough?

Why would you assume that? If the printer can see the router signal, and connect to it, that's all that is needed.

rmg1

Just checking (I've never tried this before).
How do I get the (currently) wired device(s) to print without the cable?  Do I just disconnect the cable and look for a network printer?
I assume I'll still the driver software on each machine?

Explain it to me like I'm 5 

flaneurs_lobster

Let's assume it's all going to work without fettling.

Disconnect the cable from the PC and reboot it. Try to print something and see if the printer is available as a print destination.

If it's not there then look at the video that @Vitor posted above about setting up the printer.

Vitor

- Explain it to me like I'm 5  - 

Look at he video I posted. You'll likely need to install Brother's drivers to connect and print to the wireless printer.

rmg1

I followed the video (after uninstalling the printer software and rebooting).  I could still print from mobile but not PC.

I had to specify the port and now everything is working (thanks ChatGPT)

I'm now up and running so thanks to all.

As an aside, I've had to enable print preview on the PC or it won't print (which I thought was odd) but it's now working.

I'm now left with the question of what to do with the laptop???