Connecting a USB printer using Airport express?

2xistSat 22/09/07 15:45

I'm normally pretty good at setting up bits of Apple kit, but this has defeated me...

I've got 2 Powerbook G4's, connecting to the internet using a BT Homehub WiFi network. I've also got a USB printer and an airport express which I'd like to use to enable both laptops to print to the same printer. The BT hub has to be in a different room from the printer, hence it can't be plugged straight into the hub. The signal from the hub is strong in the study where the laptops and printer are located.

I've been following the instructions in the Airport express manual and have managed to connect the Express to the wifi network using Airport Admin Utility. As soon as I tell the utility to update the Express, however, the Express starts flashing amber, saying that it's not connecting to anything, and my laptop can't see it under the Airport menu. Airport Admin Utility then also fails to find the Express.

ANyone got any thoughts on how to get this to work? I've reset the factory settings on the Express, gone through the whole proceedure again but it still ends up flashing amber and not connecting to anything.

My only concern is that an Express will only connect to an Apple base-station, not a third party one - anyone know if this is the case?

Any help and advice gratefully received!

#202651Sat 22/09/07 16:02

In theory all 'wifi' equipment should interact as they all use the same basic technology.

In practice, I've always found Apple's Airport products very temperamental about interacting with non-Apple kit....

I'm not sure why you need to update the Airport to get your printer to work, but could you temporarily connect the Airport to the BT HomeHub using an Ethernet cable - that way you'll know you've got an Internet connection to download any updates.

This is a bit tricky without seeing exactly how everything is set up....

2xistSat 22/09/07 16:09

I've run software update, so I think everything is as up to date as possible. I know the Express is seeing the printer (via USB) and my laptop is still seeing the internet connection via the BT hub - the communication breakdown seems to be between the Express and the rest of the Wifi network - it just doesn't show up under my Airport menu, and is still flashing amber at me!

#202651Sat 22/09/07 16:18

I think the problem is that you've already got a wifi network set up with the BT hub, and the Airport is trying to set up a second network all of its own...

One option might be just to disconnect the BT Hub and use the Airport on its own - that way you'll just have a single wifi network to deal with.

THe other option would be to get the Airport to join the BT Hub network - rather than setting up its own network - but I can't think how to do that without actually peering over your shoulder to see what you've got on your screen....

#202651Sat 22/09/07 16:18

Oh hang on - let me double-check - are you using an Airport Express or and Airport Extreme?

jetpantsSat 22/09/07 16:22

I also had this problem. I got it to work, but don't know how many times I had to start from scratch. Something that the Airport Express installation program was doing was severing the laptop's connection to the hub.

The only way to reestablish a connection was plug it into the hub with a cable and do a settings reset.

I eventually got it all working. Unfortunately, can't remember how. The only thing I recall was that if I changed the network name, it broke again, so have had to stick with the factory setting name of BT-VOYAGER-89.

2xistSat 22/09/07 16:24

I'm using an Airport Express (not Extreme) to (hopefully) use the printer wirelessly, and a BT Homehub to connect to the internet - unfortunately I don't have a broadband socket in the room where the laptops and printer are, hence the need for Wifi connections!

In Airport Admin Utility I've set the Express to connect to the existing wireless network (ie the BT hub)

Thanks for your patience and advice!

#202651Sat 22/09/07 16:32

Hang on - so the printer and the computers are all in the same room?

2xistSat 22/09/07 16:39

yes - but there's two computers on opposite sides of the room (my partner and I both work in here) that need to print to the same printer - preferably without wires trailing everywhere! The only thing that's not in here is the BT hub and broadband socket!

#202651Sat 22/09/07 16:42

OK - I think there's an easier option. I think you can connect the printer to one of the computers, and then share the printer with the other computer over the existing network (so no need for the Airport Express).

This is copied from the Help files on my Mac....

To let other computers on your local network use the same printers you use, turn on Printer Sharing.

You can share any of the printers in your Printer List (in Printer Setup Utility), whether they are connected directly to your computer or you access them over a network.

Open System Preferences, click Print & Fax, and then click Sharing.
Select "Share my printers with other computers."
Choose which printers to share.
You can share only printers that you select, or you can share all printers attached to your computer.

2xistSat 22/09/07 20:31

Ok, thanks - that works when we're both here, but I often take my laptop (to which the printer is normally connected) away for periods of time - so I'd still like to get the Express connection going if I can, but that certainly helps in the short-term!

2xistMon 24/09/07 11:46

just bumping this up to see if any of the weekday outers have any ideas or advice....

#202651Mon 24/09/07 20:52

I've run out of ideas I'm afraid - would need to sit down with an Airport Express and spend some time figuring it all out....

2xistTue 25/09/07 06:26

lol...thanks for your input, Topspin - much appreciated! I might have to submit a query to Apple, but that can be a tortuous process!