Print Server Problem

I have two Wi-Fi capable laptops that connect perfectly to the internet through a D-Link DI-524UP wireless router. Both also connect with no problems via an ethernet cable if I choose to do so. The router incorporates a print server and drives an OKI B4350 USB printer. I set up the printer on laptop no. 1, and it prints perfectly via the router. However, I can't get it to operate on laptop no. 2. I followed exactly the same procedure for laptop 2 as I had for laptop 1, but while laptop 1 was immediately OK, laptop 2 gives a "this document failed to print" error message. I have reinstalled a number of times, but no change. The network printer appears in the printers dialogue box on laptop 2 and shows as the default printer, so it appears to be installed. The router is obviously OK as laptop 1 prints. I tried installing the printer on laptop 2 as a USB printer, and it is OK, so the driver is working. I've checked the settings on both laptops, and they appear identical.

Any suggestions?

 

Check that you have allowed the print stream through your firewall. For many USB printers they need to have more than just the Windows/SMB/CIFs ports open.

I believe for USB/DOT4 they need UDP and TCP port 1900 open.

It is also somewhat problematic if you define redirection on a device name of USB or DOT4. Use an LPTx port or directly use the TCP port of the print sharing device instead.

 

Bill,

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I'm afraid much of what you said is beyond me - I'm a raw amateur when it comes to networking. The setting up of the printer was done identically on both laptops as per the D-Link instructions, including the creation of a port, and every parameter I have been able to find is set identically on both laptops. However, one prints and one doesn't, even though both connect perfectly well to the internet via the router.

Any other thoughts?

 

Could you try using ethernet cable to connect the No.2 laptop and see what will happen?

 

Tried ethernet cable. Same result.

 

I have an HP5850 Printer Cat5 cabled directly into my Linksys Router and used by this XP Pro and 2 98SE machines.

However;

I had all kinds of problems getting things to work properly from the other two machines until I made sure that the machine that I was installing the printer on was the only machine that was powered up.

And after I got the other two working I had to shut them down, uninstall the printer from this machine and reinstall it.

The only answer that this feeble mind can come up with is;

When all machines are powered it must try to get sharing involved somehow.

BillyBob

 

When I install a network printer attached to a print server that is not Microsoft aware (such as those built into routers and cheap print server units), I find this procedure works best.

1. Start the add printer wizard.
2. When prompted to select the "option that describes the printer you want to use" select the "Local printer attached to this computer" rather than the "A network printer, ... " option. Make sure "Automatically detect and install my Plug and Play Printer" is not selected.
3. On the next screen select "Create a port ", and in the drop down list select "Standard TCP/IP Port ". This starts the "Add Standard TCP/IP Printer Port Wizard ".
4. On the second screen you are prompted to enter a "Printer Name or IP Address" and "Port Name ". In the "Printer Name or IP Address" enter the IP address of the printer server (router or other network print device). As you type, the Port Name will be automatically generated. Leave the port name as it is generated.
5. You are then prompted to choose a Device Type. Leave this as "Generic Network Card
6. You then Click Finish and leave the "Add Standard TCP/IP Printer Port Wizard "
7. You are then prompted to select a print driver. You may have the driver installed already, but usually it is best to click on the "Have Disk" option and grab the drivers from the driver disk/location.
8. Then follow through the rest of the Wizard and complete creating the printer object.

This has worked for me on most obscure print servers I've come across. Occasionally, I have to go into the printer properts, select the Ports tab and then use the "Configure Port" options to play around with the settings (for example, trying LPR rather than Raw). These screens also give you the port number that is being used if you need to tweak firewall settings.