Need Recommendation for printer server

[chuckerants]

Guys, I have a laser printer connected to my main rig running W7 x 64. Every so often, actually too often, I lose the ability to print from my other computers at home. I have a Win XP PC, and a W7 x86 laptop and I can't print from either computers.

I think the easiest and simplest solution would be to add the printer to a printer server. I see on Newegg though that some PS don't say that they can be used with Vista or W7.

Does anyone have any (Cheap) PS that will work with W7?

TIA

 

[eljefino]

Maybe there are some networking tweaks that will help the machines see each other better.

I'm not a guru by any stretch... but the first might be giving each machine a static IP address.

 

[chuckerants]

I thought it was a network issue too, but the network sees the printer, but it just says it's offline. It's a PITA.

It's just not worth it to me to spend the time to diagnose this.

 

[Donald]

I think you will have various odd problems unless you get a true network printer. If you print through another PC (like I assume you are now) it works most of the time, but the other PC has to be up and running. If you get a print server it will help some but still the drivers installed on the remote PCs will not be the the 100% correct driver.

I have been down this route a few times and the best answer is to get a network printer (wired and or wireless) in the first place. I just got a color Samsung network printer for $150.

It would seems they are selling many/most printers these days at a loss to get you to pay for the ink/toner and other parts latter on.

 

[chuckerants]

Donald, if you've been down this road, got a PS you don't need? (j/k).

Seriously, I would love to get a network printer, but that doesn't fit my first criteria - cheap.

 

[tmorris1]

Originally Posted By: chuckerants
Donald, if you've been down this road, got a PS you don't need? (j/k).

Seriously, I would love to get a network printer, but that doesn't fit my first criteria - cheap.

I am having the same problems with my laser printer shared out through Win 7 64 bit. It works great for days or weeks and then it acts up.

You can get a networkable printer for not much more than a print server. I have a canon mx870 for color printing/ scanning/ fax, but if you look you can get network laser printers for $90 - 100. You will pay $50 for a print server.

 

[Ursae_Majoris]

http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-DP-301U-100...8411&sr=8-4

I've had a parallel version of it for 6 years, works great.

This: http://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-1-Port-Pr...8531&sr=1-3 has been running for 4 years.

In the router: assign a static IP to the print server; on each computer: install drivers for the printer, create a TCIP port with the static IP, and you are all set.

 

[Rand]

I got a brother wireless laser printer from newegg for 80$.. working great and the replacement toner is about 20$

I am at 2200pages on the first replacement and counting.

edit:

something like this monochrome wireless laser printer with duplexing for 89$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...mc=BlkNov_LB_DD

 

[tmorris1]

Originally Posted By: Rand
I got a brother wireless laser printer from newegg for 80$.. working great and the replacement toner is about 20$

I am at 2200pages on the first replacement and counting.

edit:

something like this monochrome wireless laser printer with duplexing for 89$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...mc=BlkNov_LB_DD


I would spend my money on this before I would spend the money on a print server.

 

[Donald]

Also most (but probably not all) print servers are wired to the router, so the printer will need to be next to the router. No such restriction exists with a wireless printer.

In addition good luck if you have problems, the printer company will say it a problem in the print server and the print server company will say its a problem with the printer. Your stuck with figuring it out.

 

[tmorris1]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Also most (but probably not all) print servers are wired to the router, so the printer will need to be next to the router. No such restriction exists with a wireless printer.

In addition good luck if you have problems, the printer company will say it a problem in the print server and the print server company will say its a problem with the printer. Your stuck with figuring it out.

That is what I have found too. They only guarantee them to work on a select list of older printers, but they all say that they "should" work with others. Best to just get a new printer and save yourself the hassle.

 

[chuckerants]

Man, what a great deal! And duplex too?

The printer is on my "to buy" list.

Thanks.
Originally Posted By: Rand
I got a brother wireless laser printer from newegg for 80$.. working great and the replacement toner is about 20$

I am at 2200pages on the first replacement and counting.

edit:

something like this monochrome wireless laser printer with duplexing for 89$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...mc=BlkNov_LB_DD

 

[chuckerants]

I couldn't wait any longer. Ordered.

Thanks all.

 

[Rand]

thats a good thing it was a limited time sale and they often run out early on good sales