How do I connect an HP 2101nw print server to a macbook Pro?

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How do I connect an HP 2101nw print server to a macbook Pro?

Hi all, I have an HP 2101nw print server connected to an HP psc 2210 printer. For years I have been printing via this server and an ibook g4 and all was fine and dandy. I have now bought a new Macbook Pro running Lion 10.7.2. The printer works fine when connected to the MacBook via USB. But no matter how many times I try, I cannot get the wireless server to work with it. I have downloaded al the new HP software, reinstalled the printer and the server (several times) but still no joy. The print dialog window just keeps telling me that 'the printer is not connected', despite the fact that the MBP tells me that I have installed it successfully! Any ideas anyone?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Jan 2, 2012 6:22 AM

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Answer 1

PAHU

Level 6

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Jan 2, 2012 4:31 PM in response to Wonderhorse

There are two likely causes of your issue.

1. The new driver for Lion is not compatible with the print server. You may need to look at using an alternate driver suite, such as hpijs.

2. If the Lion driver is compatible with the print server then it could be the protocol that you used to create the print queue or the naming of the queue. Checking the HP web site I could find no reference to the model of print server you have, so if you have some supporting material for the print server you can check what protocol you should be using (with the G4 you may have been using AppleTalk to connect to the server) and any other specifics such as the queue name for printing to the server's USB port.

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Answer 2

Wonderhorse Author

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Jan 3, 2012 7:18 AM in response to PAHU

Hi thanks for your advice. I had a look at the hpijs link, but have no idea what I should install. I found my server on the hp website - at

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?product=3662206&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&la ng=en&cc=us

but could not find any suggestions mentioned there beyond what I have already done. I must confess, when you talk about 'protocols' and 'queue' names, you've lost me! (I'm not very 'techhie') Could you explain?

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Answer 3

PAHU

Level 6

16,723 points

Jan 3, 2012 8:17 PM in response to Wonderhorse

Thanks for providing the link to the web site. I downloaded the manual and had a read of the setup for Mac. It certainly does not give any flexibility with regards to the print queue creation. It just expects you to run the Connection Manager software for the print server to add the print queue and that's all they show. So my previous suggestion will not be of much help to you as there appears to be no manual override available, at least not one that HP details. Hopefully someone else here has had experience with this software and can reply with their experience. I would also contact HP to see if they have a solution for you.

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Answer 4

Wonderhorse Author

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Jan 4, 2012 2:38 AM in response to PAHU

Hi, once again, thanks for all your help with this. I tried contacting HP by phone but got passed around several operators (and probably several different continents) without success. Most of the people I spoke to did not even seem to know what the product was. Hopeless. By the time I'd been passed on yet again I must confess I lost the will to live and hung up. Do you know if HP have an email support service? I have searched their website and cannot find any evidence of one. Hopefully someone at your end might come up trumps!

Thanks again

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Answer 5

PAHU

Level 6

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Jan 4, 2012 2:54 AM in response to Wonderhorse

Sorry to read of your problems contacting HP support. Using the link you previously provided I found a HP Support Forum. You could try asking your question here.

Just one question for you. When you click the Connection Manager icon in the dock, can you click Connect and if so, what happens when you do?

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Answer 6

Wonderhorse Author

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Jan 4, 2012 3:38 PM in response to PAHU

Hi, when I click the Connection Manager icon I get the Connection Manager screen. When I then click the 'Connect' button the mac tries to connect (I see the yellow 'connecting' bars coming from the Connection Manager icon in the dock) but doesn't and I just get an 'idle' message in the CM screen.

Thanks for the link to the HP Support Forum, I shall certainly try that!

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Answer 7

Jan 6, 2012 3:54 AM in response to Wonderhorse

I get the distinct impression - from here and the HP forums - that neither Apple nor HP has the slightest interest in resolving this issue. Time to bin the 2101nw and move on I guess...

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Answer 8

Wonderhorse Author

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Jan 6, 2012 4:14 AM in response to geofftwibell

Yes, HP have come back to me and said that the 2101nw is not compatible with Lion. And Apple don't want to know either (they just blame HP). So I guess if I want to stay wireless I'll have to bin it and buy something else or shell out for a new wireless printer - after owning my present one for just four years. God bless the throwaway society, eh?

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