How can I use a wireless printer and the internet at the same time?

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Level 1

6 points

How can I use a wireless printer and the internet at the same time?

Hi there, I just installed a wireless printer but to use it I have to click on the Airport icon and select the printer in the 'devices' list. This deselects my connection to my wireless modem. Is there any way I can print and look at the internet at the same time? This does not seem right to me, I print a lot of info from the net and don't want to spend time selecting and waiting for connection back and forth all the time.

Bo

Powerbook G4 15" Macbook Pro 15" 2.66 GHz, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Jan 14, 2010 9:21 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

neuroanatomist

Level 9

56,187 points

Jan 14, 2010 9:55 AM in response to Bo Couch

You should not need to connect to the printer's wireless network to print. Instead, you need to configure the printer to connect to your wireless router using whatever configuration software came with the printer. As long as your computer and the printer are both connected to the same wireless router, you will be able to print wirelessly, and since you computer remains connected to the wireless router, you will maintain internet connectivity.

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Answer 2

Jan 15, 2010 3:02 AM in response to Bo Couch

Bo Couch wrote:
This router has a Wireless Protected Setup button which I understood would initiate a search for wireless devices and aid setup but it seems to do nothing.

WPS only works if both devices (the router and whatever you're trying to connect to it) support WPS. The printer either needs to have a WPS button on it or feature you enable in the software setup, or have a PIN (number) on a sticker or display it when you push the WPS button on the router, so you can provide that PIN to the router.

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Answer 3

Bo Couch Author

Level 1

6 points

Jan 15, 2010 5:31 AM in response to neuroanatomist

Both the printer and the router have wps capability. However I have just spent 3 hours on the phone to Hewlet Packard office in South Africa and finally have everything set up through the router. The original software and drivers with the printer were not up to date and there were problems getting it to work with snow leopard. Sorted out no though and thanks for your help.

Bo

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Answer 4

Bo Couch Author

Level 1

6 points

Jan 15, 2010 1:39 AM in response to sig

I have a Linksys WAG54G2 wireless G router. This router has a Wireless Protected Setup button which I understood would initiate a search for wireless devices and aid setup but it seems to do nothing. I made the mistake of tryig to use the linksys installation disk to access a setup wizard and that just reset my entire network back to factory settings and it took me 4 hours to reconfig my system. Won't be touching that again. It all seems odd, the printer is compatible with the router as far as I can see but I don't know how to get the router to recognise the printer.

bo

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Answer 5

Rebauds

Level 1

0 points

Jan 30, 2010 11:38 AM in response to neuroanatomist

Hi, what if I only have a wireless internet modem and a wifi printer. How can I use both at the same time via Airport (no router).

Thanks.

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Answer 6

sig

Level 8

35,862 points

Jan 30, 2010 3:12 PM in response to Rebauds

Rebauds you should start a new Topic with your issue and complete as much information about your set up as possible. Modem? Printer?....?

This Topic has been marked as answered by the OP.

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Answer 7

sig

Level 8

35,862 points

Jan 14, 2010 4:00 PM in response to neuroanatomist

Sounds like the OP hasn't got a router but a wireless modem. The modem may not assign IP addresses which is why he needs to swap to print. He needs a router.

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Answer 8

sig

Level 8

35,862 points

Jan 15, 2010 1:47 AM in response to Bo Couch

There should be directions that came with the printer on how to set it up. Whose printer and model?

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