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User profile for user: hernibs63
hernibs63 Author
User level: Level 1
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use wifi printer with os mountain lion without usb connection

Over the last two months I have tried three HP printers and today a new Brother printer, all WiFi, and cannot use them with my MAC computer unless it is connected via a USB cable. Problems occurred because I felt the software needed upgraded on the printer, but when I bought two new ones in the last month, I was shocked to discover, neither worked without a USB cable between the MAC and the printer.


Surpirsingly, Brother support could not help. HP support was dreadful. Many seem to have similar problems but I am unsure how to get around them. APPLE suggest ignoring vendor software and using the Software Update on the MAC. However, unless the cable connection remains, then the printer is not visible in the scanners and printers window. Disconnect the USB (which is meant to be a temporary connection in a wireless setup) and the connection disappears altogether.


The Brother printer, MFC-J591ODW, is meant to be air-print enabled. However, even the iPads cannot detect it.


I am at my wits end. Should I take back another printer to the support. Please can someone help.

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)

Posted on May 10, 2013 1:17 PM

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User profile for user: Sjazbec
Sjazbec
User level: Level 4
1,674 points

Posted on May 10, 2013 1:54 PM

as long as drivers for OSX exists and the Mac and the Printer are on the same wireless network, so they can "see" each other, there should be no problem. Airplay-compatible is only important regarding iOS, while OSX is far more tolerant when it comes to printers.


You might want to ask the vendor of your printer(s). Apple does only maintain printer drivers to make sure they are compatible with the current OSX release. Of course you can also use the vendors driver, but make double sure they are compatible with OSX , so that you don't end up having printer software for 10.5/10.6/7 installed on a Mac running 10.8 , because there could arise problems as Apple has switched the kernel extensions to be completely 64bit while formerly these were 32/64 fat binaries.

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User profile for user: LowLuster
LowLuster
User level: Level 6
12,105 points

May 12, 2013 5:57 AM in response to Csound1

I believe you are mistaken about the airprint system.


From the apple kb article.


AirPrint

AirPrint is an Apple technology that lets applications create full-quality printed output using Apple's driverless printing architecture. All iOS built-in apps that support printing use AirPrint. Apps on the App Store that use the iOS printing system also use AirPrint.

AirPrint iOS requirements

To use AirPrint, you need one of the following devices with the latest version of iOS:

  • iPad (all models)
  • iPhone (3GS or later)
  • iPod touch (3rd generation or later)

AirPrint OS X requirements

  • OS X Lion
  • OS X Mountain Lion

You also need an AirPrint-enabled printer listed in this article. Printers not listed in this article are not supported by AirPrint.

Tip: Many AirPrint printers are available from the Apple Online Store.

Important: Some printers listed in this article will require a firmware update out of the box to become AirPrint-enabled. See the manufacture's documentation or website for details.

The AirPrint-enabled printer must be connected to the same home Wi-Fi network as the iOS device. This is the default configuration in most home Wi-Fi networks.



It is not a add-hoc network system. It is a driverless system and does not need to have the printer install in print & scan. As far as I read it.


Also this kb article.



http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3500




Csound1 wrote:


Airprint needs no network (it's adhoc) normal wirekess printng does require connection to the network. Your description of events strongly suggests that you have not connected the printer to the network yet.


Tell tell us the network address of the printer and the Mac, first 3 groups only.

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User profile for user: Csound1
Csound1
User level: Level 9
59,985 points

May 12, 2013 5:59 AM in response to LowLuster

LowLuster wrote:


I believe you are mistaken about the airprint system.


From the apple kb article.


AirPrint

AirPrint is an Apple technology that lets applications create full-quality printed output using Apple's driverless printing architecture. All iOS built-in apps that support printing use AirPrint. Apps on the App Store that use the iOS printing system also use AirPrint.

AirPrint iOS requirements

To use AirPrint, you need one of the following devices with the latest version of iOS:

  • iPad (all models)
  • iPhone (3GS or later)
  • iPod touch (3rd generation or later)

AirPrint OS X requirements

  • OS X Lion
  • OS X Mountain Lion

You also need an AirPrint-enabled printer listed in this article. Printers not listed in this article are not supported by AirPrint.

Tip: Many AirPrint printers are available from the Apple Online Store.

Important: Some printers listed in this article will require a firmware update out of the box to become AirPrint-enabled. See the manufacture's documentation or website for details.

The AirPrint-enabled printer must be connected to the same home Wi-Fi network as the iOS device. This is the default configuration in most home Wi-Fi networks.



It is not a add-hoc network system. It is a driverless system and does not need to have the printer install in print & scan. As far as I read it.


Also this kb article.



http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3500




Csound1 wrote:


Airprint needs no network (it's adhoc) normal wirekess printng does require connection to the network. Your description of events strongly suggests that you have not connected the printer to the network yet.


Tell tell us the network address of the printer and the Mac, first 3 groups only.

Then perhaps you can fix the problem for the OP rather than just disagreeing with others, bu useful.

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User profile for user: LowLuster
LowLuster
User level: Level 6
12,105 points

May 12, 2013 6:03 AM in response to Csound1

I don't know what your problem is. I linked to that article in the first page. I am trying to be helpful to the op and maybe stop others from posting misinformation like your post about it being a add-hoc network system along with allowing you to learn something.


Just trying to be helpful to you and the op. But I guess you don't see it that way. Not sure why you don't.

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User profile for user: hernibs63
hernibs63 Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

May 12, 2013 6:40 AM in response to hernibs63

Sorry guys....the message is in the name...he (the op) is a she.


Firstly. Connecting printer to network. Used LCD screeen on front panel of printer and have done this. Connected to home router with wireless key. No problem.


Connected computer to router and there are no problems.


Because of problems today: Router was turned off, left for 5 mins and turned on again. Hey presto we have lift-off.


Two hours later, the printer has been sleeping and connection is lost again.

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User profile for user: LowLuster
LowLuster
User level: Level 6
12,105 points

May 12, 2013 6:46 AM in response to hernibs63

I've seen this behavior with printers that go to sleep. Are you still trying to use the airprint system or have you installed drivers for the printer in print & scan. Not sure if the airprint feature can wake the printer up once it is asleep.


You would be better off setting a static ip on the printer. It might be the printer is getting a different ip address once it goes to sleep and then wakes up. It shouldn't but setting a static ip on on the printer is the only way to make sure the ip never changes.

hernibs63 wrote:


Sorry guys....the message is in the name...he (the op) is a she.


Firstly. Connecting printer to network. Used LCD screeen on front panel of printer and have done this. Connected to home router with wireless key. No problem.


Connected computer to router and there are no problems.


Because of problems today: Router was turned off, left for 5 mins and turned on again. Hey presto we have lift-off.


Two hours later, the printer has been sleeping and connection is lost again.

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User profile for user: hernibs63
hernibs63 Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

May 12, 2013 6:48 AM in response to Csound1

Low Luster I have all the software updated and the latest IOS. Air printing isn't the problem. Its the intermittent connection. It just happens that in this home, we all use iPads, mobiles, laptops and desktop and want to be able to print from them all.....iPad uses AirPrint or app for Brother Printer. One minute it works, but when no printers are shown, that's when I'm directed to the fact that either the printer has gone into hibernation or the connection has completely been lost for whatever reason.


Technically, the printer connects to the network. The computer connects to the network and when the computer is turned off at night and switched on the next morning, I expect everything still to be connected and working as all previous wireless printers did. However, this is not what I am experiencing.

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User profile for user: hernibs63
hernibs63 Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

May 12, 2013 7:05 AM in response to LowLuster

Yep. That seems to be the problem. I have rebooted router again. Seems to be dropping. Will contact BT.


Just tried printing a doc and in printer pane it has offered me (for the first time ever) to connect to a 'nearby printer' and set up settings. Following up a successful print, I have gone back to system preferences and held the 'add' button to bring up the box to connect nearby printers. It immediately showed the Brother Printer using Bonjour.....required with Air Print. Yeah. To ensure iPads can print using AirPrint, I have checked box in Sharing preferences, to allow printer and scanner sharing set to "Everyone Can Print".


Thinking I might restart the computer for good measure now. But if it happens again, I'll have to assume its the router causing the problem.


Printer works. iPads all showing Printer again.


Many thanks for everyone's patience and help.

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use wifi printer with os mountain lion without usb connection

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