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Q: Using PB G3 or G4 with PC access point or base station...

Hi:

I'm working in a shop that is set up with a PC based wireless network, and I'm wondering if I could connect to that network using an original PB G3 (Kanga) or a Ti G4?

I have an Orinoco wireless PCMCIA card (that came with a used computer purchase), but I've never used wireless in any form.

There's an additional complication in that I'd likely be running Virtual PC to access some software required for work.

I'm not clear in my mind about what will actually be required, but can do some web searching to find out.

I guess what I'm asking is does this sound like it's even possible? Or am I only dreaming?

Anyone here with similar experience?

Thanks much for any input.

Peter B.

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Posted on Mar 26, 2007 8:18 AM

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Q: Using PB G3 or G4 with PC access point or base station...

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  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Apr 7, 2007 8:47 PM in response to None
    Level 9 (61,385 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 7, 2007 8:47 PM in response to None
    Then maybe it is not an IP Printer. That leaves:

    AppleTalk [Read: AppleTalk-over-Ethernet (or AppleTalk-over-WiFi)]
    BlueTooth (very short range radio)
    IP Printing [the obvious choice if that printer is on an Ethernet cable]
    Open Directory [for Print Queues on High-End Servers]
    Rendezvous/Bonjour [Apple's whiz-bang service location protocol]
    USB [Read: your computer's USB, not some other computer's USB]
    Windows Printing

    I would say the next one to try would be Windows Printing. As before, select a method like Window Printing, and wait a quarter minute. If a printer using that protocol is available, its name should appear, then you can configure it.

    We are pretty deep into a topic that no longer resembles its title. It will soon be time to post a new topic with a new title like, "How to print to PC printer on my office network?"

  • by None,

    None None Apr 8, 2007 6:11 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 2 (245 points)
    Apr 8, 2007 6:11 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    The remaining printing options don't appear in the popup in the add printer dialog. I'm still running 10.4.3, though don't know if that makes a difference.

    Yes, I agree... if I want to pursue this further, I'll move it over to Tiger discussions with a new topic heading. I'll mark this one solved, since indeed, I was able to access the wireless network with help from folks here.

    Once again, thanks to all for your efforts to help.

    Peter B.

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  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Apr 8, 2007 9:12 AM in response to None
    Level 9 (61,385 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 8, 2007 9:12 AM in response to None
    If the remaining methods do not show up, they are probably not set up correctly in Directory Access utility.

    Open the utility named "Directory Access", and make sure the padlock is open (click and enter your admin username and password if not).

    There will be a list of protocols. turn these on:

    Active Directory [used for High-End Servers]
    AppleTalk [used for LaserWriters]
    BSD flat file and NIS [for UNIX File Servers]
    LDAPV3
    NetInfo [used for older Apple File Servers]
    Rendezvous/Bonjour
    SLP [PC Service Location Protocol - may be useful]
    SMB [Windows Server protocol]

    Save Changes before you quit. Restart your Mac. Then check the Add printer list and there should be many more choices.

  • by None,

    None None Apr 9, 2007 5:49 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 2 (245 points)
    Apr 9, 2007 5:49 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Thanks, Grant...

    I Googled around a bit yesterday and found some useful stuff on this subject.

    On my machine, the other printing methods were 'hidden' in the Printer Setup Utility... requiring an option click on 'More Printers' to reveal.

    Windows printing via Samba sounds somewhat promising... but not sure yet if I'll need a Mac driver for the printer (a Dell Laser Printer 1700) or not. It may be unobtainium.

    Tomorrow's the day. I'll report back, even though we've veered from the original topic.

    Peter B.

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  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Apr 9, 2007 10:33 AM in response to None
    Level 9 (61,385 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 9, 2007 10:33 AM in response to None
    According to what I could google up, that printer is a Postscript level 3 Printer. It has some built-in fonts only available only to Macintosh users. It should work fine with your Mac, once you settle how to reach it. It may require you to download a PPD file that describes it features. Is it the 1700 or the 1700n?

    You said earlier that you thought it was attached to another box with a USB cable. Is that other Box a a regular Windows workstation, or Windows Server? What OS is it running?

    Might be time to start a new thread to get Windows Printing experts involved, I am out of my league.

  • by None,

    None None Apr 9, 2007 12:30 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 2 (245 points)
    Apr 9, 2007 12:30 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    I have been 'dribbling' info about the setup not to be coy, but because I'm only learning as I go along...

    The OS on the main computer (server ?) is 'Windows NT x86' according to the printer test page.

    The PC workstation that can't (won't) access the server to print is (I think) running Windows 98.

    It may require you to download a PPD file that describes it features. Is it the 1700 or the 1700n?


    The printer is a 1700 - no suffix.

    Here, for the record, is what I found over the weekend:

    http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20051204134420783

    ...and...

    http://iharder.sourceforge.net/current/macosx/winmacprinter/

    I have yet to determine whether there is an ESP driver for the 1700... or whether I'll need it.

    Flying blind... per usual.

    Peter B.

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  • by None,

    None None Apr 10, 2007 4:52 PM in response to None
    Level 2 (245 points)
    Apr 10, 2007 4:52 PM in response to None
    SUCCESS !!!

    I was finally able to print from my Mac PB G4 to the shop's PC printer today... using the 'standard' Windows Printing method rather than 'Samba'.

    Dell offers no Mac drivers for the printer I was trying to access, but it turns out the 1700 is a rebranded Lexmark 332N, for which there is a driver in the standard 10.4 install.

    If I recall correctly from the setup process, I selected Windows Printing, which after a moment showed me available workgroups. I selected one and was prompted for user name and password (which I actually had to guess, based on other fairly transparent names and passwords in my boss's 'repertoire'... he couldn't remember), and was then able to select a driver. (I think) Printer Setup Utility found the printer share name on its own, and it was off to the races.

    --

    Later in the day, I tried to get the PC workstation to use the same printer which I guess it has never done... but without success... despite a Dell driver reinstall.

    What that illustrates is anybody's guess.

    Thanks again to all who helped in this thread... off topic or not.

    Peter B.

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