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Connecting printer to Airport extreme via Ethernet

I have just setup a wireless home network using Airport extreme. My desktop windows xp pc does not have a wireless connection and is connected to the internet by ethernet directly pluged in to the DSL modem.
My Canon printer is connected to the Airport's USB port.
Is there a way I can connect the desktop pc to the printer via the Airport's Ethernet connection?
I appreciate any help, herb

MacBook Pro 15, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Feb 27, 2011 1:20 PM

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1 reply

Feb 27, 2011 2:29 PM in response to atcanad

Welcome to the discussions forum Herb.

I have just setup a wireless home network using Airport extreme.


From what you described, you're not done yet.

As I understand it, you're using your MacBook Pro to print to the Canon wirelessly through the Airport Extreme, but your Windows computer can't do that since it has no wireless card. Furthermore, you can't use your MacBook Pro to get on the internet when your DSL modem is connected directly to your PC. Is that right?

The right way to do things is to connect the DSL modem to the *Airport Extreme*, not a computer. Since your PC isn't wireless, its Ethernet port ought to be connected to the Airport's LAN port, and not directly to the DSL modem.

To reconfigure your equipment the right way, do the following:

1. Power down your Windows computer.
2. Unplug the DSL modem.
3. Unplug the Airport Extreme.
4. Power down all your other equipment too, for good measure.
5. Unplug the Windows computer from the DSL modem, and connect it to a LAN User uploaded file port on the Airport Extreme.
6. Using another Ethernet cable, connect the Airport Extreme's WAN User uploaded file User uploaded file port to the DSL modem.
7. Plug in the DSL modem. Wait a few moments for it to complete its power up sequence. Some take longer than others.
8. Plug in the Airport Extreme. After a few moments, its LED should glow steady green, meaning it's communicating with the DSL modem.

If the light blinks amber and never turns green, that means you'll have to reconfigure the Airport using Airport Utility. Not a problem, but if that happens you ought to write back for more help.

9. Boot your computers and the printer. The order isn't important.

Now, check to make sure you can communicate with everything the way you have been used to doing:

1. Log in to your Windows computer and make sure you can load a web page.
2. Log in to your MacBook and make sure you can still print to the Canon.
3. Make sure you can load a web page with your MacBook Pro.
4. Finally, you ought to be able to print with your PC as you're accustomed to. If you can't, you will need to "add a printer" in Windows so it can find the Canon again.

Good luck.

Connecting printer to Airport extreme via Ethernet

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