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TICKET ARCHIVE -> setting up a linksys print server

tlfrench - Apr 14, 2007 - 1:32 pm

Hi,
I'm having trouble setting up this linksys wireless-G print server to my network. I have and iMac OS 10.3.9 dedicated to a DSL wireless 2wire router. I have a ibook 10.4 and a pc laptop running on Windows XP. My internet works on all 3(the laptops have wireless devices). All are in seperate rooms around the house.
I recently bought a new printer from Staples (an Epson stylus photo R380) and wanted it to be a network printer so he sold me the Linksys wireless-G print server. Problem is that the CD installation disc is for Windows. I'm not a very good PC person. All my knowledge is with MAC. Can I install the print server software on the PC even though the router is connected to the iMAC? Will this work?

Thanks,
Theresa

gsahli - Apr 14, 2007 - 8:16 pm

Your question about the windows setup software is just that - about windows. It has nothing to do with OS X. Sorry. Network printing protocols are included in OS X and an installation disk isn't required.

On the other hand, printer driver software is an important issue for OS X. Network printing on OS X requires a driver that was written to make use of the CUPS printing system on OS X (ie, a CUPS driver). Epson doesn't make CUPS drivers. Their drivers bypass CUPS, so their drivers are for whatever they include in the driver (almost always USB ONLY). Apple included Gimp-Print (CUPS) drivers in OS X to try to get around this. But your model is too new and there isn't a free Gimp-Print (now called Gutenprint) CUPS driver for it. Install the Gutenprint update:
http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/MacOSX.php3
And try using the R340 driver until someone comes out with a R380 driver.
Tell me the exact model of the Linksys print server if you need help setting that up in the OS X Add Printer dialog.

tlfrench - Apr 14, 2007 - 9:04 pm

Thank you! But I'm so confused. Are you saying I should try to
load the R340 gutenprint driver on the 2 macs I have, the r380
driver on the PC, plug in the printer in another room sans any computer hooked up (with the wireless print server attached) and then I can network print? And yes, I do need help setting up the print server. Thank you soooo much.

the linksys wireless print server model WPS54G

gsahli - Apr 15, 2007 - 9:08 am

Yes, install Gutenprint on the Macs. Yes, connect the print server to your network via either ethernet or wireless -- use the Windows computer(s) and auto-setup software to get the print server set up, and write down the print server's IP address.

On the Mac(s), Add printer, select IP printing > IPP protocol. Enter the IP address you wrote down. Enter P1 (p one) for queue name (you could find this in the print server manual). Now, for driver try Epson S-P R340, CUPS + Gutenprint. You will find that the Gimp-Print/Gutenprint drivers require a lot more "fiddling" to get perfect colors. Sorry.

By the way, using an Apple Airport Express is much easier, because Apple figured out how to use the original manufacturer's drivers. I guess it's like making the USB port on the server an extension of the USB ports on the Mac. Not "standard" network protocols like the Linksys uses.