Wireless router with USB port - use for printer?

BigBouncyBall

Hi,

I've got an O2 Wireless box (same as the BeBox, which are both just rebranded SpeedTouch 780WL)

I've got 2 computers plugged into ethernet ports for the internet, I also have a printer i'd like to connect to this router so both computers can print from it.

It's a very basic canon i320 printer, with a square USB port in the back. The router has a square USB port too.

My question is, before i go out and spend £10 on a cable is will this setup work with this router. Or is the USB port only for internet connections?

It's probably about time i bought a new printer but i think this one still has life in it yet and would like to try this setup. If it doesn't work i'll buy another cheap printer and each computer can have it's own printer.

Any advice appreciated

PS - forgot to mention i have 2 laptops that connect to the router wirelessly. If they could print from it too that would be amazing, but not too fussed if they cant

custardy

connect the printer to the PC not the router
then enable printer sharing acrross the network
control panel>printers &faxes> selet printer then right hand menu share printer)
once the printer is enabled for sharing your wifi laptops can use it as well

this is in xp and im working from memory tbh

do you have the pc/laptops netwok sharing already?

h34v3ns3nt

My first guess is that the USB port is more likely for a VOIP phone such as the Tesco Internet phone.

I need to research the router you have a bit more though for definate. Is there any other markings on it? a model number?

Also agree with the reply above, the only drawback to this is that the PC that the printer is connected to must be on for other PC's to print to it.

BigBouncyBall

does the PC have to be on all the time using this method?

My current setup is:

a Mac Pro connected to the router with ethernet cable (running Mac OS X leopard)

a Dell Dimension connected to the router with ethernet cable

an iBook G4 running Mac OS X Tiger connected wirelessly

a macbook running Mac OS X Tiger connected wirelessly

I think i might try connecting the printer to my mac pro (my main computer) as that might connect up with the laptops better.

But i obviously don't want to have to have my desktop switched on in the evenings when i use my laptops if i can help it.

h34v3ns3nt

Looking at your setup you also have another problem, you have a mixed platform (mac/pc) so even if you enable printer sharing it unlikely the macs will see the printer on the network once its enabled or vice versa.

You definitely need to keep the PC thats connected to the printer on, as the other PC's/MAC's on your network send the printing data to the host PC which then sends it to the printer.

The only solution I can see is to invest in a decent printer that has Wireless network function, that way the printer can be connected wirelessly to the router and ALL your MACs/PC's will be able to see it. You also wouldnt need to leave any of your computers on.

You basically need a network printer. There are plenty of printers that have this function. Printers are cheap, its the ink thats costs the money!

Browntoa

you can use the USB on the BT home hub for a printer ,it seems to have a fixed ip address for that port

wonder if this is the same

Paul_Herring

h34v3ns3nt wrote: »

The only solution I can see is to invest in a decent printer that has Wireless network function,

Just get a normal network-enabled printer and plug it directly into the router.

BigBouncyBall

interesting.

With the price of printers these days they're almost becoming disposable - Ink is more expensive than the printer and a new printer comes with a full set of ink. Ergo - buy 10 printers and throw them away when they're done. Terribly wasteful i know. Maybe 'freecycle'/eBay them.

So instead of buying a print server or network printer, i think i'm just going to buy a second printer for the dell and the laptops can email/usb drive documents to a desktop as and when...