Print server problem

OK - all the answer posts on HP sites, Experts Exchange and MS have been a joke to this problem so far. HP 10xx series LaserJet printers do not work (well) in a shared environment. I have found two solutions to this problem. If you really don't understand shares/printing/services/firewall exceptions - don't bother trying this - buy a networked printer when the toner runs out of the HP10xx.
If you want to spend a few hours or about $100 for a print server/NAS device, read on... I HAVE an HP1022 shared on a Windows XP Pro SP3 machine serving as a print server to a Vista laptop, a Windows 7 desktop and a Mac-Mini running OS X 10.6.x. ALL are working.
1. Buy a network print server device (or a NAS device with an included print server - I picked up a Buffalo LS-CHL 1TB and it worked out of the box. I AM NOT ENDORSING BUFFALO NAS servers, they get horrible reviews and you may end up having the same problem down the road due to the NAS device) In this case, your print clients (Win7, Vista, XP, MacOS X) can use a traditional SMB Windows client to print or the BETTER solution is to use the print services for Unix client that comes with Windows but is not installed by default. Both clients work, you may have fewer problems down the road using the Unix (LPR) client. See http://www.alexfalkenberg.com/2009/10/06/linkstation-windows-printing-problem-solved/ This is an excellent article on the Buffalo - BUT THE SOLUTION works in a native windows environment as well.
2. Build on the idea from number 1 above and INSTALL the LPDSVC (friendly name TCP/IP print services) on the machine with the printer LOCALLY attached through USB. You will also have to open up some firewall ports on the machine you are using as a print server if you have one running... I used a program exception (C:\WINDOWS\system32\tcpsvcs.exe) but you could lock this down to 1 TCP port if you wish - I think TCP 515 but you'd better check on this one...) Share the printer as normal. Next install the "Print Services for Unix" CLIENT on the machines you want to connect to the printer remotely from. When you connect to the printer share from the clients, select a LOCAL port, create a NEW PORT, select LPR, use the hostname or the IP of your machine acting as a print server and the NAME OF THE SHARE as the queue. (I don't like to have spaces in my share names, so I used HPLaserJet when I set up the share and description.) You will HAVE TO INSTALL THE RIGHT Printer driver locally on each client. This might be easiest just plugging in the printer with a USB cable since the HP printer driver is an installer as well and wants it to be connected locally unless you can extract the driver...)
Sorry I can't give more details than this. If you don't get the jist of what I am saying above. Don't try it. Give up and call the plumber.

hmm ok you got windows xp right
]now here is what you do

CLICK START / PRINTER AND FAXES
SELECT ADD A PRINTER
THEN SELECT A NETWORK PRINTER AND CLICK NEXT
SELECT BROWSE FOR A PRINTER AND CLICK NEXT
SELECT THE PRINTER AND CLICK NEXT
NB.. It may require your printer driver so keep it handy and only insert the disc if it ask you too..

OR YOU CAN TRY
CLICK Start \ My computer \ My Network Places
Click View Work Group Computers
Double Click On Your print server
Double Click On Your Printer To install it
OR IF YOUR PRINTER DOES NOT SHOW UP
Doublew Click On Printers and Faxes, Right Click Your Printer And choose install
Again Just incase keep your driver handy..

NB on some printservers you may need to right click your printer and choose install..

IF YOUR PRINTSERVER DOES NOT SHOW UP IN MY NETWORK PLACES YOU GOT IT SET UP WRONG...

Have you check which port your PC trying to register your printer to?

Hi, it appears that many are having problems with the WPS54G Print Server. I too have always found it hard to get pc to connect to it. My latest problem was with a Win 7, 64bit pc.

Setting up a printer with a print server is a two part configuration. First you need to configure the print server and then add a printer in your OS.

The following instructions are for a linksys wireless router and the linksys wirless print server model # WPS54G.

To set up the print server correctly go to this link.....http://www6.nohold.net/Cisco2/ukp.aspx?pid=80&login=1&app=search&vw=1&articleid=4142&donelr=1

Following is the instructions from the above link:
Title: Connecting the PrintServer Wirelessly to a Wireless Router Article ID: 4142 Before configuring the wireless settings of the PrintServer, make sure to know the following settings on your linksys router: SSID, and wireless security. To check the wireless settings on the linksys router, click here.
Configuring the Wireless Settings on the PrintServer
The wireless settings of the PrintServer can be configured using its web-based utility. Make sure the PrintServer is set to a static IP on the network.

Record the Print Servers IP address you will need it later.

NOTE: Make sure the PrintServer is already working when hardwired to the linksys router before attempting to use it wirelessly on your network.
Step 1:
Access the PrintServer’s web-based setup page. Open a web-browser such as Internet Explorer.
NOTE: If you're using Mac, use Safari to access the PrintServer's web-based setup page.
Step 2:
Go to the address bar and enter the IP address you've assigned to the PrintServer.
NOTE: To assign the PrintServer a static IP address, click here.
Step 3:
When the PrintServer setup page appears, click Wireless.
Step 4:
Enter the same SSID you have on the linksys router. Make sure the Network Type is set to Infrastructure then click Save to apply your changes.
Step 5:
Click Security and look under the Security Mode field. Select the type of wireless security your router is currently using then enter the corresponding security keys.
Step 6:
Click Save to apply the settings then close the PrintServer setup page.
Step 7:
Unplug the Ethernet cable connecting the PrintServer to the linksys router. Power it off for 30 seconds then power it on.
Step 8:
Make sure the Wireless LED on the PrintServer is lit and the Ethernet LED is off to indicate that the PrintServer is in wireless mode then try to print wirelessly.

Stop if you can print at this point. If not continue. The following instructions are for Windows 7, 64 bit OS.


Once the above steps are completed open windows file explore. Click Network and you should see a "print server" listed. Click on PRINT SERVER and you will see a network icon labeled p1.

You should now be able to add a printer.

In win 7 open the add printer and click "Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer", and click next. A searching for printer window pops up. It will list any network printers or print servers it see's on your network. You should see a listing titled "p1 on Print Server".

At this point you need to click "The printer that I want isn't listed. This is just below the "Select a printer" box.

Next a "Find a printer by nane or TCP/IP address" window opens. Select "Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname. Click next.

Another window pops up which ask for a printer host name or IP address. Enter the IP address of your print server (the one you recorded when setting up your print server), and click next.

The next windows states the device is of unknown type. Under Device Type, make sure Standard is checked. Out to the right is a down arrow, click it and you should see many different devices displayed. Scroll until you find "Hewlet Packard Jet Direct", click on it to select it and click next.

Finally a "Install the printer Driver" window should open. Select your printer and follwing the instructions. If your printer is not listed you can click "Window Update" which will look for new printer divers. Once the printer driver is installed you should be able to print.

As you can see this in not a simple printer install. Good luck!

HI, Follow the steps below to reconfigure the print server:

1. Now connect the printer to the USB port of the printserver and then the ethernet cable from the router to the Printserver ethernet port.
2. Press the diagonistic tool button on the printserver for 10 sec (All the lights will blink amber), you will recieve a print page with Port name,Ip address of the printer and other details.
3. The ip address will be given from the router,If no ip address, powercycle the router, printserver and the printer. Press the diagonistic tool button again.

Step 2:- (For XP)
1. Go to control panel then go to printer and faxes.
2. Right click on the printer icon go to properties.
3. Click on the ports tab on the top.
4. Click on add port.
5. Select standard TCP/IP port and click on new port.
6. Press next.
7. Enter the IP address of the print server it will show you the port (IP_ip address).
8. Press next.
9. Select the second option custom and click on settings button.
10. Select the protocol as LPR; enter the queue name as q1.
11. Select LPR byte counting enable.
12. Click on ok and press next then click on finish.
Step 3:- (For Vista Computer):
1. Please confirm you are able to print by connecting the printer to the Vista computer directly.
2. Click Start - select Control Panel then switch it to Classic View from left side.
3. Double click on Printers & Click on 'Add a Printer'.
4. Select 'Add a local printer' & Click next.
5. Select 'Create a new port'.
6. Select 'Standard TCP/IP Port' as 'Type of port' then click 'Next'
7. Enter the IP Address of the Print Server in the 'Hostname or IP address' field.
8. Uncheck 'Query the printer and automatically select the driver to use' & Cilck next.
9. Select 'Custom' then Click on 'Settings' on the next dialogue box.
10. On the next dialogue box, select 'LPR' as the 'Protocol'.
11. Under the LPR Settings put in any name for the 'Queue Name'.
12. Check 'LPR Byte Counting Enabled' then click on OK and next.
13. Select the Manufacturer and the Model Number of the printer. If it is not available then click on 'Have Disk'. Click 'Next'.
14. Check 'Set as the default printer' and click next.
15. Try to print test page, it'll print.

I hope this information allows you to resolve this issue.

If I have helped you, please help me, and rate this suggestion the highest FixYa rating. If you cannot rate this post with the highest rating, then please comment to this post and I will try to help you further.

Regards
Anand

Whatever the model is, or brand, I always prefer to ignore the printserver software and just ADD a TCP/IP Port.
Open Control Panel
Open Printers
Right-click: Server Proprieties
Add TCP/IP Port
put the IP address and select option "Print Server"
That's it.
now, just add the printer, manually select the port you've just created.

Does your network have a dedicated computer server and the printer is attached to this server or is the printer attached to a dedicated print server device?
OR
Does a computer on your network shares its printer with other computers on your network?
There is insufficient information on how you configured your printer setup for me to give you a proper answer to your problem.

Hi dreaddymck
I need a little more information on the setup. Is there a router in your network? If there is, is your PrintServer connected to the router and your computer is attempting to connect to the printserver through the router? If there is no router and your PrintServer is connected to your printer via the USB port and your computer is connected to one of the ports on the PrintServer via a cat5 cable, I would check to see whether you are actually communicating with the PrinterServer by pinging its IP address from the computer. If the ping is successful, then I would look at the printer properties in your computer's printer control panel and check the port configuration. Usually it is shows the IP address, port 9100 and port protocol is usually set to RAW. Otherwise I would attempt to reinstall the PrintServer using the CD originally provided. It appears to me that the server may not be publishing its IP address on your network.
--RoadHawk