Can this be done? (Printer on network)

[awestruck]

Hi,

I currently own a Lexmark x85 printer and it takes up so much damn space on my desk. It is currently connected to my computer. I would like to move this printer somewhere else upstairs in a bedroom or something. Therefore, I was wondering if the following can be done:

Once moved into a bedroom, turn the printer into a network printer such that other computers in the house can use the printer to print. I have a wireless router and was wondering if there is some special printer adapter that connects the printer wirlessly to the router (such that it thinks the router is my computer)?

I hope this makes sense. Thanks in advance.

[Jucius Maximus]

Sure, you can get wireless print servers that do exactly what you want.

Does the printer have a USB or Parallel Port interface?

[awestruck]

Yeah, it hooks up to the back of my PC via USB using this cable:
http://media.zzounds.com/media/brand,zzounds/p23706B-e5030df6b2cc7d5f4c688572755d1c32.jpg

[WiZZLa]

Belkin, Lexmark & Linksys all make standalone wireless printer servers, but they are expensive; for the price they are, you could get a router with a built-in print server (eg: SMC when it's on sale.) You could make one of the computers a print server, but it will always need to be on.
If you don't have a second computer, the wireless printer server may be the only way, just make sure they are compatible with your printer first.

[Absolute]

As mentioned before, just buy a router with a dedicated printer port

[ShadowVlican]

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?childpagename=US%2FLayout&packedargs=c%3DL_Product_C1%26cid%3D1115416938909&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper

wireless print servers, just attach em to your existing network (10/100 or wifi) and plugin your printer :)

[sleepyguy]

smc router with print server is the cheapest route... i think sometime they go for like $10 after mir.

[parapudaw]

Im setting up my home network as well with the ff. configuration.

Cable Modem > SMC Wired Router/PrintServer > M$ Wireless B > My PC
>Printer > My PDA
> 2nd PC

I'm adding the SMC wired router since that will be the cheapest route I can get.

[DJXP]

I never had success with the x85 and the smc wireless router w print server, something with the software drivers were not compatible for it. Too long ago to remember, I set it up with another printer in the end though.

[Nhiem]

If you have a spare computer in your house, connect your printer to it and then share it on the network; though it means that that computer must be on in order for it to print. Otherwise the only workaround is like what everyone else has been saying, you must get a printserver.

[parapudaw]

Just a heads up, i got the SMC router/print server and installed it with 2 home PC and hook my Epson CX3200 printer. Internet/Network works flawlessly but with regards to the printer it took me 4 hours and decided to call SMC support line just to hear that my printer is not compatible with this router. :(

[toujours]

What about a really long USB cable ?

I know the signal gets weak fast and there are limits but maybe by chaining through a powered hub that could do the trick ?