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60s Rocker
6 Posts
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7645
February 29th, 2004 16:00
Trouble networking a printer
First of all, thank you ahead of time for any assistance I receive. In addition, I am not sure what information is required to provide such assistance but I will offer what I can initially.
I have a Dimension 8300 with a Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet and an Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network Connection installed in the computer. My DSL internet connection is via the Broadcom connection and it is problem free.
This is what I am tryng to do. I have a color printer attached directly to the computer via USB port. I want to add a second HP all-in-one Laserjet printer to the computer but that printer is on the opposite side of the room and I cannot connect it directly via USB cable (total length of running cable over the ceiling is > 30'). In addition, I cannot use a wireless connection because the scanning function of the printer does not operate over a wireless network. For this same reason, I cannot use a USB hub. Therefore, I purchased a wired JetDirect (HP) external print server that functions over a network and the print server connects to the computer via RJ-45 cable and to the printer via USB cable. I hooked the RJ-45 (for the print server) to the Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network Connection and enabled that connection in Network Neighborhood. After all the physical connections were made, the print server did not recognize the network connection and without that there is no way to install the printer.
Other information that may be helpful: There is no green light next to the Intel port on the back of the computer. The icon in the system tray for the Intel connection notes "a network cable is unplugged" when it isn't. Also, there is no IP address assigned to the Intel card and it is set to assign it automatically in the Internet Protocol.
Can you have two network cards functioning on one computer? Any ideas of how to recognize the Intel network card so I can install the printer?
60s Rocker
6 Posts
129
0
Posted February 29th, 2004 18:00
Steve,
Thank you for your prompt reply. I was wondering if a crossover cable would be required. The literature with the print server only specifies needing a "network cable." Due to my ignorance, I figured that if the cable has an RJ-45 terminal on each end it is a network cable and should work. Obviously, logic wasn't correct in this instance.
I would hesitate to use a router because I would lose the scanning function of the printer. Any intervening hardware between the computer and print server would cause this.
Regarding the assignment of the IP address, would the installation process of the printer manually assign the IP address once it recognized the network? Otherwise, what IP address would I use?
Thank you.
volcano11
2 Intern
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27973 Posts
129
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Posted February 29th, 2004 17:00
You could easily solve the problem by adding a router, and connecting the printer and computer to the router. As it is now, you have no dhcp server on your network, so there is no way that the printer can be assinged an IP address. Furthermore, since you are connecting the network card in the PC directly to a network card in the print server, without an intervening hub or switch, a regular network cable will not work - it would need a cross-over cable, and that would explain why you are getting the network cable unplugged error.
You may be able to get this to work without a router or hub, if you use a cross-over cable and if you manually assign an IP address in both the print server and on the PC.
Steve