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Thread ID: 77457 2007-03-10 20:23:00 RJ45 To USB adapter k9.college_napier@xtra.co (10864) Press F1
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531691 2007-03-10 20:23:00 Hi all,
Firstly I would like to say thank you to those who replied to my query about my machine waiting for input on bootup. I think it was related to the cmos battery as several mentioned. It came right of it's own accord. So probably a dry connection somewhere and it will be back some time.

Now a new one.

I have a USB printer/copier that I want to make available to the home network at all times. It is currently connected to the desktop which of course limits the time it is available to when the desktop is on.

I have a DlinkG604T wireless router. On this are two spare RJ45 ports. It has DHCP address allocating software built in. I thought easy just find a RJ45 to USB adapter. Oh OH! you can get USB to RJ45 but not the other way around.

I know I could probably do it using a dedicated print server attached to the router but this is not the route I wish to take. I tried a USB print server that was built into an earlier elcheapo ADSL router and had no end of trouble. So much so that I gave up on the print server capabilities and upgraded the router anyway.

I firstly wonder why RJ45 to USB is not available?
I could use gender benders etc to get the USB to RJ45 adapter to connect but would it work?
Any other ideas anyone?
If not I guess it might mean upgrading the printer to either wireless or RJ45 network capable.

Regards John L.
k9.college_napier@xtra.co (10864)
531692 2007-03-10 20:44:00 I firstly wonder why RJ45 to USB is not available?
I could use gender benders etc to get the USB to RJ45 adapter to connect but would it work?
Any other ideas anyone?
If not I guess it might mean upgrading the printer to either wireless or RJ45 network capable.

Regards John L.

1) RJ45 to USB adaptors are not available as "adaptors", because you cannot simply plug a USB device into a network port. You can get (as you identified) USB print servers, but they are not always guaranteed to work. In fact, quite often only the printing function will work, and you won't be able to scan due to the nature of the software.

2) Short answer no, because a USB-RJ45 "adaptor" is actually a USB network card.

I think your only option is to set up a dedicated print server of some description. Try one of those small network USB print servers which are available on the market (www.dse.co.nz), and see how you get on.
somebody (208)
531693 2007-03-10 21:51:00 got an old pc laying round, this can loaded off floppy and run in ram

freesco (http://www.freesco.org) (very small linux distro that can be a http, print or ftp server) uses raw or lpr ip printing very easy to setup also.
beama (111)
531694 2007-03-14 07:15:00 Thanks people. Unfortunately even the lynix freesco software router isn't a runner as the only spare computer I have around only has an RS232 Serial port not a USB and the same problem applies. It also doesn't have a PCI port so I cant even put a USB card in it.

But thanks for your replies anyway. I guess my only real option is a printer upgrade.

Regards John L.
k9.college_napier@xtra.co (10864)
531695 2007-03-14 10:44:00 But thanks for your replies anyway. I guess my only real option is a printer upgrade.

Was about to suggest that as I was reading, but see you have come to the same conclusion. You could also try a new router with a built in print server, but I think most of those are ethernet anyway.

As an aside, USB in networks is a pain in the neck.
Murray P (44)
531696 2007-03-14 20:41:00 I suspect you don't want to do this, but why not leave the pc on. Turn the monitor off when not in use and you might be able to fine tune the power saving capabilities of Windows and still be able to use the printer. This might be an interim solution until you NEED to upgrade the printer. dolby digital (5073)
531697 2007-03-14 21:43:00 Was about to suggest that as I was reading, but see you have come to the same conclusion. You could also try a new router with a built in print server, but I think most of those are ethernet anyway.

As an aside, USB in networks is a pain in the neck.

You are not wrong there!!!
SolMiester (139)
531698 2007-03-15 02:55:00 On a side note: cancel your current account and rejoin, using your email address like that opens the door to spammers. ;) pcuser42 (130)
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