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(More customer reviews)I read all the good an bad reviews on this topic. Basically, it seemed that if people had a popular printer it supported, they were very happy. If not, it didn't work and they were unhappy.
I went through the process of trying to make it work with an unsupported Lexmark Laser printer. The setup software could see the printer (through my wireless network and the printer USB port, it could see which model it was) But it didn't want to install.
About to give up, I pulled out my old AirLink APSUSB2 printer server instructions. The process worked, but I believe you will have to set up a fixed IP address to go through this process. Make sure the fixed ip is above your router allowed HTPS list of address, and that it is a trusted IP on your home router/firewall.
After you have configured a fixed IP through Arknet's "Networking USB Server setup software," you do these basic steps for Windows XP:
In "Printers and Faxes" window, select Add Printer. Click Next
In the local or network printer window, select local printer, but don't select "automatically detect and install....". Click Next
In "select a printer port" select create a new port. In the pulldown, select Standard TCP/IP port. Click Next
A Standard TCP/IP port wizard comes up. Click next
In the "Add Port" window, Enter the IP address you have set the server to as discussed above, for example 192.168.150.254
Put in a port name. I overrode what defaulted tere and used port1. Click next
Under the "Additional Port Information Required" window, select the "custom" choice and hit settings
In the "port Settings" box brought up, leave the port and ip as is, change the radial button from "raw" to "lpr", and put your port name (port1) in the Queue name entry box. Select OK
You will be be brought back to the additional port information reqd screen. Hit next. Then Click Finish, to finish the port wizard.
Next, you will get the install printer software window. Hopefully you printer is already there and available through Windows XP (mine was). Otherwise you might have to access some driver files. Click next
I the "use existing driver" box, I selected existing driver and clicked next.
Under name your printer, you can change the name and choose whether you want it to be the default printer. Next
Then you can print a test page, and complete the installation. If the test page doesn't work, try it one more time after the installation completes.
I have little/no experience with later windows products, and so don't know if all these steps are easily doable in these products.
But it worked on XP and surprised me when it did. Thanks, Airlink, for providing the instructions for this workaround that Arkview didn't.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Arkview USB 2.0 10/100 Ethernet USB 2.0 Print Server (1 Port) PC/MAC
Arkview-Feets palm sized 1-port USB 2.0 Print Server allows any networked computer to share a USB printer. It complies with USB 2.0 specifications (backward compatible with USB 1.1 spec.), and provides users with an auto-sensing Ethernet port that works with either 10Base-T or 100Base-T networks. This unit also supports multiple protocols and multiple operating systems, ; ; The built-in web management feature provides more convenience by allowing the user to configure, monitor and even reset the print server via a web browser. This eliminates the need to place the printer right next to the computer. Print jobs can be sent to a printer in the same office. ; ; Features; Easily connect your USB printer to a network; Allows multiple computers to share one USB printer on the network; Print from any computer on your network; Supports DHCP Client and multiple network protocols; 10Base-T / 100Base-T auto-sensing; Supports Telnet and Web Management software; ; Specifications; Network Cable Length; 6 Feet; Network Protocol; IPX, TCP/IP, NETBUEI, APPLETALK, LPR, smb (Over IP); Cable Type; CAT5; Network Interface; 10/100Mbps RJ45; Printer Connection; USB 2.0, USB 1.1; Standards; IEEE 802.3 10Base-T; IEEE 802.3u 100Base-T; USB 2.0; Management; Web Based-UI, Networking USB Utility; ; Requirements; Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista; Mac OS X; Printer with USB connection; Printers:; ; Most printers with USB connections are supported; Network environment:; ; 802.11b/b or 802.11n Wireless networks; 10/100Mbps networks; ; Package Content; 1 x 1-Port USB 2.0 Print Server; 1 x CAT5 Patch Cable; 1 x Power Adapter ; 1 x Installation CD; 1 x User Manual;
