Wireless Printing - Comments Page 10

So, based on your response to Christine's firewall question, it sounds like your solution to printer access from the wireless laptop requires shutting down any installed firewalls when printing. That sounds cumbersome and imprudent to me, a non-expert. If the above is true, is there a specific hardware solution you recommend that leaves firewalls active? I have a Dell Dimension 4550 desktop, wireless Vostro 1000 laptop and Canon MP 530 multifunction printer that needs a bidirectional connection. Thanks

EDITOR'S NOTE: I was referring to software-based firewalls, which are almost never necessary. Your network router has a hardware-based fierewall that should suffice. See http://askbobrankin.com/do_i_need_a_firewall.html

OUTSTANDING information!!!! Thanks

Bill

I'm trying to connect my laptop to the established network(desk top) in my home. When browsing for the printer it does not find it. Should I install the printer software on the laptop.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I'd investigate other issues first, such as the "sharing" checkbox, and firewalls that may interfere.

I have Comcast with a lynksys wireless router. My PC is wired to a new wireless Epson printer.
I also have a new Macbook Pro laptop with leopard and I want to print wireless to the printer. The Mac will print when wired direct, but will not locate the printer wirelessly. What do I need to do?

EDITOR'S NOTE: When you said "My PC is wired to a wireless printer" my head started to hurt. Can you clarify?

Hey there bob, there are two desktop computers in my house plus my mum has a laptop - we are all connected to a wireless network but the laptop has problems printing to the network printer. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't! Everything works the same when it is printing and when it is not - like it says the printer is ready and the files enter the printing cue - the only difference is that after a few seconds of it saying it is in the process of printing it comes up with failed printing. I dont get it! Help!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Intermittent problems are the hardest ones to diagnose. If you send the print job again, does it work?

Hi Bob, Thanks so much for all your help. It's clearly MUCH needed! I could use more of your help connecting to a printer on a Mac computer. I am on a Dell laptop running Vista (in case that matters). I downloaded Bonjour for Windows as you suggested. I restarted my computer. I opened the Bonjour printer wizard, it found the printer attached to the mac, I chose it as my default, and then when I clicked "finish" I got this error window: "You do not have sufficient access to your computer to connect to the selected printer." What does that mean?? I presume I need to use the wizard right? Thank you so much in advance.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Here's one possible cause and solution: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946394

Hi Bob, I have a problem, I just brought a wireless printer in which I would like to print form my desktop. To make a story short, is there's a way that I can print from my desktop which is not a wireless pc. what do I need to make this work. (to be able to print from my desktop to a wireless printer)

EDITOR'S NOTE: I've never come across a "wireless printer" that did not have the option to connect via USB or a network cable. Are you sure there is no USB port on the printer? If not, you'll need a wireless adapter in your computer, and a router with wireless capability to connect them.

Bob, I want to purchase an all-in-one printer to function for four (or more) laptops (Vista and Mac). If possible, I would like to have the printer function independently of any specific computer and simply be connected to the wireles, Linksys, router. Is this possible? If so, how? Do you have a specific, all-in-one printer with sheet feed capability, that you would recommend. this is for a small office/ large family.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Sounds like the HP OfficeJet L7780 would be ideal. I have one and it works great for me. I print wirelessly from the computer upstairs to the L7780 which is downstairs in my office. See my rewview here: http://askbobrankin.com/hp_officejet_pro_l7780.html

when i get to this step on the laptop:
"When the Printer Wizard opens, tell it you're looking for a network printer, then browse for the desired printer on your network."

it does not find the printer, just says "Microsoft Windows Network... Documents waiting:". the printer (hp 6540) is connected to the desktop running vista and the laptop is run xp. i was told to select "addional drivers" on the desktop and cite the location of the other version's printer driver. what is it and where is it?

Bob, I followed your instructions to set up my wireless printing. Had trouble. My desktop is the one with the printer attached. The printer is on. Both the desktop and my laptop are running VISTA. But when I tried to add a printer on my laptop it said 'none found' even though I am on line through my wireless router. HELP!!