WinME and SBRU-10100 USB print server 1

[BionicJohn]

I think this is a WinME issue, raher than a hardare problem.

I have two PCs, one Win2K and the other WinME, networked and linked to the 'Net via a SBRU-10100 DSL Router. There is no problem there.

On the SBRU-10100's USB printer port is a Canon BJC-600e, a rather old inkjet printer. It is linked using a USB to Parallel port lead as the BJC-600e has no USB connection.

There is no problem printing to the BJC-600e from theWin2K PC, but the WinME sees the USB to Parallel port lead - "USB_1 (Prolific Technology Inc. IEEE-12_192.168.1.1)" - rather than the printer when creating the port.

This then produces the error mesage "Remote printer is offline" "Close the connection" etc. even though it is online and working when the Win2K Pc sends data to to it. I cannot get WinME to accept there is a Canon BJ printer on the port, only the cable.

I have tried trying to create a network port (

http://192.168.1.1)

but this doesn't work.

How do I gt WinME to see the Canon BJprinter on this port?

Any advice (other than upgrade to Win2K) would be welcome.

LIVERPOOL FC - FA Cup Winners 2006.
Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.

 

[BionicJohn]

I realise now that I have come up against a shortcoming of WinME as it contains no built-in networking printing client.

There are manufacturer/printer specific pieces of software which will create the port, but they expect to find specific printers during the installation process - the ancient Canon BJ ain't one of them.

I got Intelliscribe to at least create the port and print a header page, but the Windows test page halted at the point where the list of related files begins.

Anyone know of any similar software which will add network printing client software to WinME?

LIVERPOOL FC - FA Cup Winners 2006.
Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.

 

[Rick998]

As you've found out, Windows ME does not come with the necessary software to print directly to a TCP/IP address the way you can in Windows 2000 or XP.

However, there may be a way to do it so I hope the following works for you:=

1) Download the following software from HP:

ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/networking/software/hpspm98.exe

(Although this is designed for HP printers I've used it with other makes of printers as well, either connected directly or via Netgear and/or Edimax print servers.)

2) Next, install the printer as a local printer. This is usually connected to a LPT port. I haven't tried it with a printer connected via USB (so fingers crossed <grin>).

3) Once it is installed, open up the configuration settings (i.e. click on Start > Settings > Printers then right-click on the printer and select Properties).

4) Go to the DETAILS tab and click on the ADD PORT button.

5) If you installed the above software, under the "other" you should see "HP Standard TCP/IP port". Select that and type in the IP address of your network printer.

Hope this helps... let us know if it works.

 

[BionicJohn]

Bingo! That's the one!

I'd tried HP's ME specific but when it couldn't find an HP printer it took its ball home and wouldn't play.

Yes, the setup is not exactly standard, with a USB ported printer server on a router, but the IP address is straightforward enough - 198.162.1.1.

Have a star, many thanks!

LIVERPOOL FC - FA Cup Winners 2006.
Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.

 

[Rick998]

Yay! I'm glad it worked for you. Thanks for the star.

As an aside, HP revamped their online resources a month or so ago and, in the process, reduced the number of their support websites. As a result, this utility (and many other utilities, FAQ's and/or support info) has become quite hard (as in almost impossible!) to find.

Whilst I downloaded the utility a while ago (just in case), it took me quite some time to find it again on HP's newly revised support lineup.

I suggest you keep the installer somewhere safe in case you ever need it again. There's no guarantee at all that it will be easily available in future from HP.

 

[BionicJohn]

Yes, that's good advice.

Hopefully this WinME PC will completely die soon and I'll no longer have to keep resuscitating it weekly for a friend. This kind of thing is much easier with WinXP.

As an aside, the Safecom SBRU-10100 4 Port Broadband Cable Router + Print Server is amazing value for about £15.


LIVERPOOL FC - FA Cup Winners 2006.
Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.