I want to hook up my printer through my router

[lordhutt]

I keep my printer on one of my pc's in the back room where my router is.
I have a cable modem and a wired router with 2 pc's wired up to it.
I had a Belkin Network USB hub hooked to the router. This allowed me to use the printer on my pc.

There is an RJ45 port on my printer....Lexmark C534. I would like to just hook this up to my router bypassing the Belkin hub.

Can this even work? I hooked it up but I don't know where to go from here to make the pc recognize the printer.

????

[redwudz]

You usually need the Mac address from the printer. Usually on the bottom of the case. You open your router dialog. Most routers have a intranet address like 192.168.0.1 or similar. You use that in a internet browser to access your router. Add your printer and it's Mac address, along with a intranet address for the printer. You will need a driver for each computer that accesses the printer.

Your router manual should give you the proper procedure, along with the printer manual. If your router is set for DHCP automatic addresses, your printer may show up when you attach it via RJ45.

This is usually a fairly simple process. I ran into problems with my Ethernet printer when I changed routers. But in the printer firmware, I was able to change the printers address. This was in the printers menu settings.

[Nelson37]

Have never needed the Mac address or to access the router.

Just set a static IP on the printer, in the same network as the PC. Command prompt, ipconfig /all. Just pick a higher number than the PC's, ie Router = 192.168.0.1, PC are 192.168.0.2 and .3, set the printer to 192.168.0.x, with "x" being from 4 to 254.

Uninstall current printer software FIRST. Then connect the printer thru Ethernet, and install software for Network Connection. You may have to have the printer connected as-is for uninstall, make sure and reboot, and double-check that all the existing Lexmark software is gone. Avoid any additional software, update utilities, toolbox, etc., you want the driver only. I often download just the driver and avoid using the disk altogether. Have had some significant problems with Lexmark's "extra" software.

You don't want DHCP on the printer as the connection is dependent on a static address. I guess you could dictate that through the router with the Mac, that's probably where Red was going. Personally I strongly dislike DHCP and avoid it whenever possible, on small networks it is just safer and easier to static everything. One less failure point.

[stiltman]

Uninstall current printer software FIRST. Then connect the printer thru Ethernet, and install software for Network Connection. You may have to have the printer connected as-is for uninstall, make sure and reboot, and double-check that all the existing Lexmark software is gone. Avoid any additional software, update utilities, toolbox, etc., you want the driver only. I often download just the driver and avoid using the disk altogether. Have had some significant problems with Lexmark's "extra" software..

Why uninstall the software?
After setting up the printers IP address, right click on the printer in the Printers and Faxes
Select Properties
Select Port
Click add port
Select TCP/IP
Enter the IP
Finish
Take checkmark out from old port and put checkmark in new port

[Nelson37]

Because while changing the port Sometimes works, it often does not, because the network driver is fundamentally different. This is not unique to Lexmark printers.

Uninstalling the old software and re-installing the new Always works, so I have learned through experience to do it that way.

If it is a multi-function printer, one major difference is that typically the scanner will not work over a network, there is no real reason for this other than networkable scanners are more expensive.

[stiltman]

Because while changing the port Sometimes works, it often does not, because the network driver is fundamentally different. This is not unique to Lexmark printers..

I've never had it not work. Epsons, HPs, Lexmarks, Brother, and IBMs. Not once has it failed.

I forgot to add, you might have to stop and start the spooler service

[lordhutt]

Ok guys, thanks for all the advice. I got it working but not completely sure how. I wasn't 100% sure how to do everything you said. Here is what I did.

It ended up being quite simple actually...I went to the printer and in it menu I activated TCP/IP and HDCP.
I then installed the drivers on my pc.

That's it! Working great...eliminated the Belkin hub.

Thanks guys!!

[redwudz]

Whatever works. It's normally a simple process. Glad you got it working.