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Question

Peripherals forum: Connecting a wired computer to a wireless

by Mar 20, 2014 12:37AM PDT

This forum addresses my issue but I need further help. I have a non-wireless enabled desktop (Windows XP), a DSL modem, a dual band Belkin wireless router, a new wireless printer (HP Photosmart C309), a wireless android tablet and wireless android cell phone. I would like them all to have access to the new printer but I seem to be having the same problem as in the above forum question. Printer currently set up in wired (ethernet) directly to computer. I have an extra ethernet cable if that will help. Just need step-by-step because I'm old and technically challenged. Thanks

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4 Posts
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Answer
Odd.
by Forum moderator Mar 20, 2014 4:37AM PDT

I have yet to see folk wire their printer with Ethernet to the PC as that would be a fairly expert setup. You claim you are technically challenged but your setup makes me think you are very adept.

Either that or you really connected it with USB.
Bob

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USB!
by lynemo Mar 20, 2014 6:06AM PDT

Yes, it is a USB cable connecting the printer to the desktop (came with the printer). I told you I was challenged. So what to do next? Thanks.

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Wrong printer.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Mar 20, 2014 6:24AM PDT
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Answer
Re: printer
by Forum moderator Mar 20, 2014 6:43AM PDT

A few weeks ago I managed to get a wireless HP printer working on a friends new Windows 8 laptop. The recommended way in the manual was
1) use the touch screen on the printer to switch it to wireless, connect to the router and have it show it's IP-address
2) run the software that came with it and choose the "change this printer to wireless" option

Alas, she hadn't installed that software. But on installing a new printer via Control Panel, we stumbled on the 'wireless' port option (there's also parallel and USB and such) which asked for IP-address and when we entered that it miraculously worked.

But a few days later she mailed me it didn't work anymore. So I advised her to use a USB-cable and change the printer port back to USB. I'll visit her this weekend, and then I'll have a look. But I'm afraid it's something like her turning off the router or the printer or both when she's not at home to save electricity, and then on turning everything on again it might get another IP-address or reset itself in some way.

Since (unlike you - being somewhat 'technically challenged' thus not having have a smartphone or a tablet) the laptop is all she uses it with, a wired connection might be the best solution for her.

Kees

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