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Thread ID: 92154 2008-07-31 01:45:00 How to get wireless printing? Strommer (42) Press F1
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693789 2008-07-31 01:45:00 What would I have to do to get wireless printing from a laptop that does not have wireless capability? The laptop is around 6 years old, with WinXP. It is my wife's and we connect it to the broadband using a cable from my desk (modem). The printer is connected to my desktop. My desktop's mb is not wireless capable ASFAIK but I do use a small USB bluetooth external connector to transfer pics and files to and from my cellphone.

We got a cable to connect the laptop to broadband because at the time my wife was not using email much, but now she is. The idea is to get her laptop so that she can connect to the internet and print a document or email - by wireless. There is a possibility that she will upgrade her laptop so that it can play DVD's, but for now I wonder what its going to cost to use the old laptop. Thanks.
Strommer (42)
693790 2008-07-31 02:40:00 The range for bluetooth isnt long enough, (it was made for things that are close to it), and it's not as good as wireless

Only thing you could do, is get wireless adapters for the laptop and desktop.

Just configure both like a LAN. And get adapters that support something better than WEP.

And add a printer, like you would if it were connected by ethernet cable
Speedy Gonzales (78)
693791 2008-07-31 03:10:00 Something like this (www.qmb.co.nz) would give you wireless and let you print to a usb printer via the network. stormdragon (6013)
693792 2008-07-31 20:59:00 The range for bluetooth isnt long enough, (it was made for things that are close to it), and it's not as good as wireless

Only thing you could do, is get wireless adapters for the laptop and desktop.

Just configure both like a LAN. And get adapters that support something better than WEP.

And add a printer, like you would if it were connected by ethernet cable

Thanks Speedy.
What is a "wireless adapter" and how much would it cost?

If my wife gets a new laptop with Vista, would all be OK considering my desktop is XP?


Something like this (www.qmb.co.nz) would give you wireless and let you print to a usb printer via the network.

Thanks. The wireless router is not as expensive as I thought.
The one you referenced says:
"EZPrint_Share - Built-In Printer Server lets all users share a printer wirelessly"
If I use my desktop and wife's laptop with the wireless router, can the laptop use the printer even when my desktop is not turned on?
Strommer (42)
693793 2008-07-31 21:24:00 It depends on where you get the adapter, (and the type you get, USB, PCI, PCMCIA etc) here's some from Dick Smith (search.dse.co.nz 6c4&site=&w=wireless+adapter)

Some are as cheap as $30.00

A wireless adapter will let you use wireless (with one of the above)
Speedy Gonzales (78)
693794 2008-07-31 21:28:00 "EZPrint_Share - Built-In Printer Server lets all users share a printer wirelessly"
If I use my desktop and wife's laptop with the wireless router, can the laptop use the printer even when my desktop is not turned on?

Yes the printer would be plugged into the router rather then the desktop, so therefore whether the desktop is on or not doesn't matter.
stormdragon (6013)
693795 2008-07-31 21:30:00 If my wife gets a new laptop with Vista, would all be OK considering my desktop is XP?

Shouldnt be a prob. There's a Vista laptop here with Wireless, and its going through me (XP). And I've also configured it, so it can print wirelessly to this printer.

It can be a bit fiddly configuring Vista to share a folder, if you want to this as well. BUT, it does work


"EZPrint_Share - Built-In Printer Server lets all users share a printer wirelessly"

If I use my desktop and wife's laptop with the wireless router, can the laptop use the printer even when my desktop is not turned on

It should work, if it includes a print server (she can print, if yours is off).
Speedy Gonzales (78)
693796 2008-07-31 22:26:00 Some are as cheap as $30 . 00



Thanks again .

I see that PriceSpy has some USB Wireless Adaptors for less than $20 (although I would want good quality and a decent warranty) . Wireless is now looking good and cheaper all up than I expected . The next step is to see if my wife wants a new laptop . . .
Strommer (42)
693797 2008-07-31 22:29:00 No probs.

Just make sure its secure, and it supports WPA / WPA2+ on both adapters.
Speedy Gonzales (78)
693798 2008-07-31 23:14:00 I was just logging on to ask a similar question.
I have (after 1 hour with customer support) set up our Belkin wireless router. We had a D-Link wireless that our kids used to connect their PSPs to the internet but when I bought the new laptop I decided to up grade the router as we will eventually have 2 laptops and 2 PSPs on line and we needed to upgrade. (at present we have 1 laptop and 1 desktop- wired and 2 PSPs)
With the new set up I bought a net workable printer as I was told that I could simply plug the printer into the router (in place of the desktop) and we would have wireless printing. After the performance of setting up the router this morning I am worried about setting up the printer.
Any advice?
Thanks
meg
meg_h_nz (6960)
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