My MacBook is not communicating with my desk top to enable printing from my MacBook. I need to find out how to make that happen. I have a static IP address on my desktop but don't know what to do on the Mac Book.

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My MacBook is not communicating with my desk top to enable printing from my MacBook. I need to find out how to make that happen. I have a static IP address on my desktop but don't know what to do on the Mac Book.

My MacBook is not connecting to the host computer for the printer. The host computer has a static IP address which is different from the IP address that the laptop is looking for. How do I change the laptop so that it looks for the host computer's correct IP? The laptop is connected to the router. I know this because I can get on the internet with the laptop.

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on May 16, 2012 1:27 PM

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Answer 1

May 17, 2012 8:42 AM in response to SuzyQ1220

What is the host computer? What operating system is it running? What type of printer is it hosting? How is the printer connected to it? Does the host computer have printer sharing turned on?

Let us know, we'll keep helping you.

Best of luck.

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Answer 2

SuzyQ1220 Author

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May 17, 2012 1:57 PM in response to laundry bleach

The host computer is Dell and the operating system is Windows 7. The printer is an Epson, and it is wired to the host computer with a USB cable. It does have host printing turned on.

The three have been working harmoniously for a long time. The router had to be reset; and after that, the MacBook documents would no longer print.

We created a new static IP address on the Dell but the MacBook is not recognizing it. We have researched the internet trying to figure out how to make the MacBook locate and recognize the correct IP address from the Dell so they can communicate with each other. The laptop is not communicating with the host computer because is is looking for the wrong IP. The host IP is 192.168.1.245 and the laptop is looking for 192.168.15.237.

I hope everything is clear. The person who originally set it up is no longer available to help me. Thank you for any help you may give me.

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Answer 3

May 17, 2012 2:08 PM in response to SuzyQ1220

Looking at your two IP addresses, it looks like the MacBook and the PC hosting the printer are on different subnets. Is the subnet mask for both computers 255.255.255.0? That would be the most common. If so, you need to set the MacBooks IP addess so the 3rd octet (the .15.) is .1. instead. Be sure you use an IP address that is not in use by one of the other computers on the network.

Best of luck.

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Answer 4

SuzyQ1220 Author

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May 17, 2012 3:39 PM in response to laundry bleach

It still doesn't work.

Yes, the subnet mask for both computers is 255.255.255.0. The MacBook IP address is 192.168.1.146. The host IP address is 192.168.1.245.

When I send something to print from the laptop, the dialog box says: Attempting to connect to host 192.168.15.237 for printer Epson. Unable to connect to printer; will try in 30 seconds. We do not know where the laptop is getting the '15' when it should say that it is attempting to connect to 192.168.1.245 (the host IP). I don't know if it was an old IP address on the desktop. Anyway, that is the number that is messing me up, I think.

Thanks.

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Answer 5

SuzyQ1220 Author

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May 17, 2012 3:53 PM in response to SuzyQ1220

I just noticed another difference. The laptop is trying to connect to 192.168.15.237 and the IP for the host printer is 192.168.1.245, so the last set of numbers do not match either.

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Answer 6

May 17, 2012 4:50 PM in response to SuzyQ1220

Okay, sorry, I misunderstood what device had the bad IP address. My bad.

I'm not certain how shared printing under Win7 works and I am also having to remember specifics about 10.5.8, but try this - open System Preferences (under the Apple menu) and select Print & Fax. Click the "+" button in the lower left (you may have to click the lock and authenticate first.) Look for the IP tab at the top of the resulting dialog box and select it. Next to Protocol select IPP and enter the host's IP address in the Address field. See if this finds anything. If not, try LPD for Protocol. If neither of those work, try entering the network name of the host instead of the IP address.

Sorry I have not been able to help more.

Best of luck.

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