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Problem with Motorola Wireless Print Server WPS870G

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Robert Boerner

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Sep 27, 2004, 2:28:40 PM9/27/04
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Hello,

Has anyone been able to successfully setup a Motorola WPS870G wireless
print server with WPA-PSK encryption turned on?

I recently purchased this unit because of its implicit support of
WPA-PSK security. I first setup the device with all security features
off and it worked very well with my HP 1300 printer. As soon as I try
to enable WPA-PSK, the unit can no longer connect to my access point.

I initially though I had made a configuration error and started again.
Same results. I looked through the manual and the on-line help file
and found one small detail in that Motorola does not guarantee that
WPA-PSK will work will non-Motorola devices. I had a Netgear router
that I was wanting to upgrade, so I went out and bought a Motorola
WR850G Wireless router.

I made sure I had the latest firmware loaded on the Wireless Router,
and tried the whole process again, with the exact same
results...failure.

I emailed Motorola via their website and never received a response. I
called their help line and the tech was polite but came out and said
that they are not trained on anything beyond showing me where the
settings were located.

The tech said that he would escalate the issue, but I am not holding
my breath. I just wanted to see if anyone else had gotten this device
to work with WPA-PSK enabled.

Thanks in advance.

msandrews

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Oct 8, 2004, 3:26:56 PM10/8/04
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I've had exactly the same experience you describe, both with the product
and with Motorola technical support. It won't work in WPA-PSK security
mode with either my Motorola WR850G or my D-Link DI-624 wireless
routers. I'm convinced that there's a flaw in the firmware or
elsewhere in the product.

BTW, the print server does work with WEP security.


--
msandrews
brought to you by http://www.wifi-forum.com/

Don

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Oct 8, 2004, 10:01:46 PM10/8/04
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In article <msandrew...@no-mx.forums.yourdomain.com.au>,
msandrew...@no-mx.forums.yourdomain.com.au says...

Have you upgraded the WR850G's firmware to V5.13? Perhaps this will
address the WPA-PSK security mode's problem. Just a thought . . .

Most 850G's were shipped with V4.03 firmware.

Don

Robert Boerner

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Oct 19, 2004, 1:50:46 PM10/19/04
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Yes, I did upgrade the firmware the day they released it actually. I
was hoping for a magical fix, but ran into the same issues. I keep
playing phone tag with Motorola. Whenever I get them on the phone, the
engineering/escalation team is unavailable. Whenever they call back, I
am not home. This is getting very frustrating. I just can't believe no
one else has run into this very same problem.


Don <w9...@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:<MPG.1bd102907...@netnews.insightbb.com>...

msandrews

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Oct 29, 2004, 8:20:36 PM10/29/04
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I, too, upgraded to firmware v5.13, but to no avail. I ended up
returning the print server to RadioShack. It's too bad, because the
WPS870G worked very well in most other respects. I'll probably buy it
again at a later date when it's evident that Motorola has fixed the
WPA-PSK problem.

tputney

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Jan 11, 2005, 10:00:01 AM1/11/05
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Robert,
I was able to get through to the Motorola tech support and have
recieved many emails from them. Bottom line is the product does not
work on WPA and they won't admit it. Their tech support line is that
the WPA works but they don't support it so they won't help with it.
After pressing them a bit I recieved a few email responses on their
idea of support. Posted are the emails from them

\"The WPA function on our print servers do work. However, due to
Motorola's troubleshooting policy, we do not cover this advanced
configuration. Once again, I appologize for this inconvenience.\"

\\"I do appologize for the inconvenience. However, we do support
encryption of Open WEP-64 and Open WEP-128. This is due to the fact
that the other encryption is not needed, and WEP is adequate security.
If you would like us to walk you through setting this up we could.\\"

Since this setting is considered \\\"personal preference\\\", we do not
support the set-up of this option. It is an option for our customers
who have previous experience setting this up (such as I.T. Dept. heads
in major corporations). And again we do remind you that you do not have
the permission of Motorola to print, or re-use this e-mail in any way.
If you would like us to forward to our corporate office, a request for
you to be able to print this e-mail, we would do that for you. I do
apologize that you have not been satisfied with your experience with
Motorola, we do value our customers, and I do apologize that you are
not satisfied with our service on this product. \\\"

So...there is the motorola answer...I guess if you are not a head of an
IT dept of a MAJOR CORPORATION you won't be able to set this up...I
think that means just common everyday working schlups in IT depts dont
qualify.


--
tputney

bobc...@comcast.net

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Jan 21, 2005, 10:28:32 AM1/21/05
to
Thanks for the update. I have given up. I actually wound up just moving
things around and using the standard wired ethernet port on the device.
Of course, that defeats the whole point of me buy a WIRELESS Print
Server in the first place. I would love to have the time or the money
to sue Motorola for false advertising, but I don't. Thanks to all those
who responded. I appreciate the confirmation that I am not crazy. I
will say this though...NEVER again will I buy a Motorola product. They
seem to make decent hardware, and when they work, they seem to work
well. God forbid if it does not. I actually live near their
headquarters in Horsham, PA. Maybe I should just drive to the office
and dump the stuff on their door step :-)

The Maxx

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Feb 26, 2005, 6:37:50 PM2/26/05
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I had the same problems as others. I think that Motorola blatently lied
or misled with the product description. This print server does not
support WPA. It is a solid piece of hardware, but grossly overpriced
without WPA support. You can get either the linksys or Hawking for
about $50 cheaper. Both of them support 2 (linksys) or 3 (hawking)
printers USB and parrallel. Motorola attempted to set themselves apart
by putting the WPA on their specifications, making their premium price
appear justified, but since it doesn't work and their tech support is
weaker than kitty piss, they are costing the consumer considerable time
and money. They really should be admonished for this. Unfortunately
this is not a mainstream product, so the public outrage will likely be
minimal and go nearly unnoticed. I returned mine and will likely use a
spare PC as my print server as I am unwilling to part with WPA
currently. I will wait for a print server with real WPA support to be
released.


--
The Maxx

the tech

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Mar 26, 2005, 4:57:59 AM3/26/05
to

Hey

Look it does not matter what kind of security that you have if some
one wants it they can get into it. Think about this dummys if a hacker
is rolling by your house and they see that you have open and 64 or 128
than they usualy will not mess with you but than again if you are using
wps than they will stop and say hey this person has something to hide
and then will hack you. Also since open and 64 or 128 is easy than
they don't mess with it but, since wps is a challnge than they will do
it just for the thrill so in nother words you guyes are stupid. Also
I have had the print server to work with it so yes it does work with
the wps settings you just have to be smart enofe to get it to work.
That is the reason I am a IT you you are the average person.


--
the tech

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