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Need advice on getting a wireless printer
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MZB
May 12, 2013, 5:30:50 PM5/12/13
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OK, I need some advice. I currently have an old Dell Dimension 2400
desktop in the basement. It is connected to a Linksys Cable Modem and
Linksys router. I have had a parallel printer (Epson Color Stylus 600)
connected to the desktop and it has been a horse. I have 4 laptops
upstairs. The two main ones are W7 machines. But now, after about 15
years, it is giving me problems. The printhead keeps clogging. I then
have to go through the clean nozzle process about 5 times and currently
I�ve gone through it 12 times and it still won�t work. So, enough. It�s
not worth the effort.
I am now looking to buy a low cost wireless printer that won�t soak me
too badly when I need new cartridges. So, first, can you recommend one?
Second, I am not sure how they work. I ASSUME they work as follows: turn
it on. The printer will search for networks. I choose my network and
enter the passphrase and it joins my network. I then boot up each laptop
and tell it to add a printer. It finds my new network printer and adds
it. I might have to insert a CD to add the printer (driver). CAN I ALSO
DO THIS WITH MY BASEMENT DESKTOP, OR DOES THAT NEED A WIRELESS ADAPTER?
Any other advice?
Mel
desktop in the basement. It is connected to a Linksys Cable Modem and
Linksys router. I have had a parallel printer (Epson Color Stylus 600)
connected to the desktop and it has been a horse. I have 4 laptops
upstairs. The two main ones are W7 machines. But now, after about 15
years, it is giving me problems. The printhead keeps clogging. I then
have to go through the clean nozzle process about 5 times and currently
I�ve gone through it 12 times and it still won�t work. So, enough. It�s
not worth the effort.
I am now looking to buy a low cost wireless printer that won�t soak me
too badly when I need new cartridges. So, first, can you recommend one?
Second, I am not sure how they work. I ASSUME they work as follows: turn
it on. The printer will search for networks. I choose my network and
enter the passphrase and it joins my network. I then boot up each laptop
and tell it to add a printer. It finds my new network printer and adds
it. I might have to insert a CD to add the printer (driver). CAN I ALSO
DO THIS WITH MY BASEMENT DESKTOP, OR DOES THAT NEED A WIRELESS ADAPTER?
Any other advice?
Mel
Bob_Villa
May 12, 2013, 7:57:30 PM5/12/13
to
My desktop is USB wired to the printer.
Steve W.
May 12, 2013, 8:15:15 PM5/12/13
to
Qtip with some alcohol on it and let it soak the print head. Repeat a
few times till the stuff getting to the towels is clear. Then run a
couple cleaning cycles to flush the alcohol out.
--
Steve W.
dg1261
May 13, 2013, 3:32:52 PM5/13/13
to
MZB <m...@noway.prudigy.net> wrote in news:kmp1f9$bl$1...@dont-email.me:
> I ASSUME they work as follows: turn
> it on. The printer will search for networks. I choose my network and
> enter the passphrase and it joins my network. I then boot up each
> laptop and tell it to add a printer. It finds my new network printer
> and adds it. I might have to insert a CD to add the printer (driver).
> CAN I ALSO DO THIS WITH MY BASEMENT DESKTOP, OR DOES THAT NEED A
> WIRELESS ADAPTER?
>
Joining the printer to the network works as you described IF the printer
has a LCD control panel. Some printers have just a series of lights you
have to interpret and no control panel, so caveat emptor.
Note the printer connects to your network, not directly to your
computer(s). As long as your D2400 is connected to your network, it can
use the printer, regardless of whether the printer is wireless or not.
(And conversely, wireless laptops can use a wired network printer, just
as easily.)
You'll typically install from CD (or from an .exe installer downloaded
from the manufacturer's website) to get the driver. This is pretty much
mandatory procedure if you get an all-in-one (AIO) with scan function
rather than a regular printer.
I tend to stay away from HP because the drivers are huge and install a
bunch of crapware, like "HP update", "Shop for HP supplies", and "HP
customer participation program".
Like Bob, I favor the Epson Workforce series. They're AIOs, but as
inexpensive as these inkjets are it doesn't make much sense to go with
one that only prints. As a bonus, you can also scan from any of your
computers. The ink isn't cheap, but the results and flexibility of the
device are excellent.
Beware that fewer and fewer printers nowadays come with manual feed
slots for envelopes or 4x6 photo paper, so look for that or dual paper
trays when spec'ing machines. It can be a PITA, for example, if you
have to remove the paper and readjust the paper tray guides just to
print a one-off envelope.
> I ASSUME they work as follows: turn
> it on. The printer will search for networks. I choose my network and
> enter the passphrase and it joins my network. I then boot up each
> laptop and tell it to add a printer. It finds my new network printer
> and adds it. I might have to insert a CD to add the printer (driver).
> CAN I ALSO DO THIS WITH MY BASEMENT DESKTOP, OR DOES THAT NEED A
> WIRELESS ADAPTER?
>
has a LCD control panel. Some printers have just a series of lights you
have to interpret and no control panel, so caveat emptor.
Note the printer connects to your network, not directly to your
computer(s). As long as your D2400 is connected to your network, it can
use the printer, regardless of whether the printer is wireless or not.
(And conversely, wireless laptops can use a wired network printer, just
as easily.)
You'll typically install from CD (or from an .exe installer downloaded
from the manufacturer's website) to get the driver. This is pretty much
mandatory procedure if you get an all-in-one (AIO) with scan function
rather than a regular printer.
I tend to stay away from HP because the drivers are huge and install a
bunch of crapware, like "HP update", "Shop for HP supplies", and "HP
customer participation program".
Like Bob, I favor the Epson Workforce series. They're AIOs, but as
inexpensive as these inkjets are it doesn't make much sense to go with
one that only prints. As a bonus, you can also scan from any of your
computers. The ink isn't cheap, but the results and flexibility of the
device are excellent.
Beware that fewer and fewer printers nowadays come with manual feed
slots for envelopes or 4x6 photo paper, so look for that or dual paper
trays when spec'ing machines. It can be a PITA, for example, if you
have to remove the paper and readjust the paper tray guides just to
print a one-off envelope.
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