cant get wireless printer working

movingtables · 20 Jan 2009 at 21:06

i'll keep it basic for now:

Dell laptop connected to the net via router successfuly.
windows XP
linksys router

Pinter: lexmark wireless printer.

ran the install software selected my wireless network in the list and it
keeps saying failed to connect.

Ps- entered my wap access key.
:confused:

movingtables · 21 Jan 2009 at 01:12

well that was a waste of £107.

high street pc shop aint gonna except a return because i opend the ink ?

smids · 21 Jan 2009 at 01:22

Unless it is actually faulty, good luck on the return...

Anyway, what is the model of the printer and router. How good are you at networking in general? Is there any option for complete manual configuration of the network parameters on the printer?

Let's see if we can get you going...

Advice for next time, buy a wired network printer and then spend a few £ on an ethernet bridge - so much easier!

movingtables · 21 Jan 2009 at 01:44

smids said:
Unless it is actually faulty, good luck on the return...

Anyway, what is the model of the printer and router. How good are you at networking in general? Is there any option for complete manual configuration of the network parameters on the printer?

Let's see if we can get you going...

Advice for next time, buy a wired network printer and then spend a few £ on an ethernet bridge - so much easier!

router is linksys wireless 54WRT54RS

Pinter is:
Lexmark X4875 - Printer Scanner Copier -
All In One Printer

am i good at networking? no (lol)

is there something i have to do in the router settings ?

i tried connecting the printer to the router (with lexmark software)
i also tried connecting the wireless PC direct to the Wireless printer (with lexmark software)

every time after finding the network it would say connection failed.

Its back in the box now. if they dont take it back at the shop i'll take it the tip lol.

Psypher5 · 21 Jan 2009 at 02:11

dont tip it, send it to me

haha

try it with no key on your network (did this recently as my omnia was playing silly beggers..)

if that works then set a diff key encryption.

could try contacting lexmark if no one here can help, i'm sure they would help

radderfire · 21 Jan 2009 at 02:21

Note there are two wireless encryption standards, WEP (older) and WPA (newer), so check the printer is using the same one as your wireless router.

Double check you have the wireless password key right. Perhaps consider changing this to a new one on the router, so you absolutely know you have the correct password key when trying it on the printer.

Rgds

movingtables · 21 Jan 2009 at 10:21

thanks to the people who replied and tried to help.

I took it back the shop and they gave me the money back !!
they didnt even open the box lol.

just a warning to people:

my thinking was i had previously bought a laptop and that connected to my wireless router in seconds first go.
so i thought it would be the same with a wireless printer.

well its not !!!

Swordfish · 21 Jan 2009 at 18:21

It is actually simple to conmect wifi nprinters to networks.

One thing that springs to mind. Did you have an Ethernet cable plugged into the printer by any chance as in most cases this automatically disables the wireless connection.

movingtables · 21 Jan 2009 at 20:55

Swordfish said:
It is actually simple to conmect wifi nprinters to networks.

One thing that springs to mind. Did you have an Ethernet cable plugged into the printer by any chance as in most cases this automatically disables the wireless connection.

nope there wasnt an ethernet cable connected.
I'm no computer expert but im no beginner either and i spent about 7 hours trying and trying.

maybe i was ment to change some router settings?
my wireless laptop and desktop connected fine with no router intervention.

maybe lexmark are a bit poo for wifi printers?

alls i know is i popped the connection dvd in followed the instructions to the tee and it didnt work. put me off wifi printers for life

mrgubby · 21 Jan 2009 at 22:29

I've got a Lexmark WiFi printer & the only hassle I had was low signal strength, my office is 50M outside the building the router is

. One external aerial later & it was working fine.

Connect Latop to printer via USB on desk next to router
install software / wep keys
remove USB cable when told
Watch "Wireless LED" blink red then lock on green

Move to desired location
Switch on Printer
Check "Wireless LED" locks on green

Print

movingtables · 22 Jan 2009 at 00:06

mrgubby said:
I've got a Lexmark WiFi printer & the only hassle I had was low signal strength, my office is 50M outside the building the router is . One external aerial later & it was working fine.

Connect Latop to printer via USB on desk next to router
install software / wep keys
remove USB cable when told
Watch "Wireless LED" blink red then lock on green

Move to desired location
Switch on Printer
Check "Wireless LED" locks on green

Print

i never made it to the point were it asked me to remove the USB cable because it would not connect after 7 hours of trying.