Adding to a network

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Adding to a network

jimshooz

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Topic # 112819 21-Dec-2012 20:39
Had a local network consisting of 2 desktops connected to a router by ethernet cable and a printer connected by wireless. Then I bought a laptop but ran into connecting problems. To get the laptop connected wirelessly I went to the Netcomm helpline and as instructed changed the wireless name of the router and a couple of other wireless settings. But that resulted in the printer not recognising the wireless router because of the namechange. Then I deleted the printer and reinstalled it on an ethernet cable. So now the laptop can send to print, but the 2 desktops cannot. Could it be that the 2 desktops are looking for the printer at its old wireless address but now that it's on ethernet they can't "see" it. Is there somewhere where I can go to check which IP address belongs to which machine. I've tried pinging all the numbers and then switching off one machine and seeing which one don't work but still not sure of which one I'm looking at.

BDFL
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Reply # 736158 21-Dec-2012 20:46
As you suspect, most likely the other PCs are still looking for the printer in its old address. You can delete the existing printer in each PC and create a new one. This should make them scan the network and possibly finding the printer automatically. If not then you should be able to print a configuration sheet by pressing a combination of buttons or following instructions on your printer - this will have its address. Mauricio Freitas (Geekzone Admin, Devil's Advocate, my blog, technology disclosure, my tweets, Web Performance Optimization) Geekzone Price comparison \| Amazon Kindle order page \| How to get the best out of Geekzone \| New Zealand IT Jobs \| Geekzone News \| Jinglebugs

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Reply # 736159 21-Dec-2012 20:47
Difficult to say what the problem is, especially when you state that you changed "a couple of other wireless setting". I've gone from a similar set up to you to a home network with 25 devices attached, and the one that gave the most grief was the printer. Try allocating the printer a fixed IP address. This solved my problem. If you are using Mac computers, the Network Utility app will tell you the IP addresses of your devices. Otherwise try accessing your router with a web browser and look for client information. David.

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Reply # 736171 21-Dec-2012 22:02
Definitely set the printer up with a fixed IP no. Install the printer to that IP no. for each machine. In command mode, ipconfig will tell you what each machine's IP no. is.

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Reply # 737371 26-Dec-2012 14:24
I would go to the lan settings in your router and set the printer to a fixed IP there instead of trying to do static ip directly in printer's settings. Then just reinstall print drivers as everyone said. But yeah ethernet to the printer should be more ideal the way you have done it. Qualified in business, certified in fibre, stuck in copper, have to keep going ^_^