setting up a network printer

Pamela · Feb 8th, 2005, 08:33 PM

I have this jumbotron HP laserjet 5100 that I'm setting up for a friend. I've never worked with a printer that isn't usb based before. Do I simply just plug in the ethernet cable into the back of the G5 and that's it, or does it require more work that that? (I'm sure it requires more work, but after the day I've had I'd love for there to be a simple answer

)

We've got the network of a G5 "server" and two powerbooks hooked up to the airport express. All see each other and all can print wirelessly on the usb inkjet that's hooked up to the express.

She'd like to be able to also setup the HP so that everyone on the network can print on it. I assume it's not capable of wireless printing because there is no usb connection on the back of it, so I am assuming I have to use the ethernet port and plug it into the back of the G5 "server"? Is this the only connection it requires? I also see a serial port and some other round port on the back...but I assume those are just other optional ways to connect, right?

Now after it's setup, do I have to install software on all the other machines that are going to be using it?

My powerbook recognizes the printer. I tried to print something but nothing is happening on the printer even though it says ready.

I tried to find the manual on the net but got nothing.

A two line response would be a big help just to get me started on how printers like this work...

Thanks everyone

PosterBoy · Feb 8th, 2005, 09:15 PM

Assuming all the machines in question are running OS X:

I wouldn't plug the printer directly into a computer (although you could). I'd plug it into your router or switch or what have you, as it will make the rest of the set up easier.

Once it is connected to the router/switch/whatever, it should automatically obtain an IP address. Once it does, and assuming it acts like other HP Laserjet printers I have worked with, you can log into it via a web browser (rather like a router) to administer it (settings like what IP address it will grab, etc).

Once you know what IP address the printer is using, you just need to have the drivers installed on every machine you want to use with the printer. Once the drivers are installed, open the Printer Setup Utility, hit the "Add" button, select from the drp down menu either "IP Printing" or "HP IP Printing"

If you choose the former,

For "Printer Type" you want "Socket/HP Jet Diect"
For "Printer Address" you want to enter the IP address.
For "Queue name" just don't enter anything and it ill use the default for the printer
For "Printer Model" choose the brand (HP!) from the drop down menu, then the model from the list.

If you choose "HP IP Printing" you can let it try to auto-discover, but this has proen unreliable in my experience (as in, it doesn't always find the printer).

If you click the "Manual" tab, you can enter the IP Address and hit "Connect" and it should gather all the required info.

Rinse and repeat for each computer

Personally, I find it useful to have a USB flash drive around so that you don't have to keep downloading the drivers over and over. Just download it once and run the installer from the flash drive.

PosterBoy · Feb 8th, 2005, 09:16 PM

So. The G5 is wireless?

Then I think you can just plug the printer into the G5 via Ethernet and the rest of the setup should be roughly the same. Once you install the drivers on the G5, launch the Printer Set Up utility, choose HP IP Printing from the list, and it should hopefully auto-detect the printer.

Once it's added and you are able to print from the G5, just enable printer sharing from the Sharing System Preference Pane and you should be good to go.

Pamela · Feb 8th, 2005, 09:41 PM

once again Posterboy saves the day

Luckily you wrote back with your second post. Because I basically sold her 4 port linksys and set up an airport express. Hence, no ports to plug it into.

Yes, the G5 is wireless. I had already done what you said on the second post. My powerbook ended up recognizing the printer....I guess through the airport express. The problem is it wouldn't print when I tried to print from both the G5 and my powerbook. The printer said ready, and it showed that the job had been sent in the printer...but nothing came out of the printer.

I guess that's where I'm at at this point then....trying to actually get the printer to print...lol!

PosterBoy · Feb 8th, 2005, 09:54 PM

Does this model allow you to log into it via a browser? There may be a setting you need to enable/disable/change in order to make it go.

What model, specifically, is it? There are about 6 LaserJet 5100s.

andreww · Feb 8th, 2005, 10:00 PM

You might also try using Appletalk. Turn on Appletalk, launch Printer utility. You should see the printer under Appletalk network.

Pamela · Feb 8th, 2005, 10:09 PM

I'm not sure if you can log on with a browser. I've never even heard of that. I don't know what model it is either. It just says 5100 on the printer. It has a 11x17 cartridge only in it right now....which would make me assume is the 5100se (wide format), but they all look the same and it doesn't show what the difference is between models. I would assume it's the same driver for all of the series anyway.

andreww, I'll try out the appletalk on thursday when I'm there next and see what it does for me....

andreww · Feb 8th, 2005, 10:24 PM

We use appletalk on all our giant network printers. Never had a problem with any of them.

PosterBoy · Feb 8th, 2005, 10:56 PM

Since it has an Ethernet port, it's more than likely either a 5100tn or a 5100dtn. The only real difference between those two models is that the latter has a duplexer.

I am not looking for the driver, I am sifting through the support documentation at hp.ca :p

gordguide · Feb 8th, 2005, 11:15 PM

PosterBoy: have fun on the HP website. It's a nightmare for support docs and downloads. Often you get soooo close, but, somehow, the actual answer you need is missing.

HP's docs say it's supported on OSX. Should be fine. Add memory if you can; often you can use "older" RAM sticks in printers and having lots of memory works wonders for Postscript printers.