Sharing a Canon PIXMA MP780 printer between OS using Airport Express

Question

Sharing a Canon PIXMA MP780 printer between OS using Airport Express

Hello.....I've been sharing a Canon PIXMA MP780 between a wired desktop PC and a wireless laptop PC. I recently got a new MacBook and want it to share the same printer. I set up my Airport Express with no problem, but my MacBook doesn't recognize the printer. I thought I just might need to update the printer drivers, but when I contacted Canon, they said this printer doesn't support networking between two different OS. Does anyone know if this is really true (we all know how often we get incorrect info from tech support types) and if it is true, has anyone found any work-arounds for this? Thank you!

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.4.2)

Posted on Aug 5, 2007 11:40 PM

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Answer 1

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Aug 6, 2007 5:41 AM in response to drlivingstone

Neither the Canon's printer nor the Canon's software needs the ability to network the printer. This is done by the AirPort Express (AX). So the information they gave you doesn't apply in this situation.

Does the printer work if you connect it directly to your MacBook?

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Answer 2

Aug 6, 2007 8:10 AM in response to Duane

Hi Duane...yes. The printer works if I connect to it directly.

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Answer 3

iFelix

Level 8

35,167 points

Aug 6, 2007 10:56 AM in response to drlivingstone

It should work with the PrintFab Drivers (but these cost).

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Answer 4

Aug 6, 2007 2:26 PM in response to drlivingstone

I'm interested in learning more about being able to recognize the printer when I connect directly to it vs. trying to connect wirelessly through the AX. Does it follow that if the MacBook is recognizing the printer through a direct wired connection, that I should also be able to connect wirelessly? And if so,.........how?

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Answer 5

Aug 7, 2007 6:34 AM in response to Duane

Any thoughts about how to get the MacBook to recognize the printer wirelessly? It does recognize the printer when I connect them directly via USB.

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Answer 6

Aug 7, 2007 5:11 PM in response to drlivingstone

Ok.......finally got this resolved with a product specialist from AppleCare.

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Answer 7

.rlh

Level 1

0 points

Aug 10, 2007 3:32 PM in response to drlivingstone

Do you mind sharing? I have a similiar problem, only it is reversed. Using the mac, it took me a minute to print wirelessly. But with the pc... I've used the entire evening, and it's still not possible.

I've tried two ways to do this:
1) Open "The printer and faxes" from the start menu... as described in the manual that came with the A-express.

and
2) I've downloaded Bonjour for windows. But B tells me there are no printer in my network. At the same time I can print from my mac just to prove this is not true 😟

My printer is the Canon IP4000, so I guess your way of setting up the printer should work for me. On the pc I use XP SPII.

Any thoughts... any one... any one...?

Aaarrghh...

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Answer 8

iFelix

Level 8

35,167 points

Aug 11, 2007 9:04 AM in response to .rlh

I have a similiar problem, only it is reversed. Using the mac, it took me a minute to print wirelessly. But with the pc... I've used the entire evening, and it's still not possible.

Printing from a Windows XP PC to a printer attached to an Airport Extreme Base Station or Airport Express
http://tech.ifelix.net/1004.html

Printing from a Windows XP PC to a printer attached to an Airport Extreme Base Station or Airport Express using Bonjour
http://tech.ifelix.net/1008.html

Problems with finding Printer Driver on Windows XP when using printer connected to Airport Extreme or Express
http://tech.ifelix.net/1012.html

iFelix

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Answer 9

.rlh

Level 1

0 points

Aug 17, 2007 8:45 AM in response to iFelix

Thank you iFelix.

Have been looking at your pages, but maybe I missed out on something. Will try gain later this evening and let you know how it goes.

Thanks again!

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Answer 10

.rlh

Level 1

0 points

Sep 25, 2007 2:13 PM in response to iFelix

Hello again iFelix.
Sorry for my late response - too many children... too little time.

I just managed to fix the problem, but not by using Bonjour - don`t know why... but annywayzzz... I used your first recipe, had to change port like you describe and suddenly theres ink on the paper!

Than you once again!

R

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