March 19, 2009

Install a Network Printer on Windows 7 beta

Since the Windows 7 beta was released, I bet you've noticed that not everything is compatible, especially printers. Companies are still in the process of making new drivers for printers and other such devices. But I found an easy way to install a network printer on a computer running Windows 7 beta.

Products used for examples
Printer: HP Photosmart C5180 All-in-One
Router: Linksys WRT54G

Let's begin!
  • Connect the following to the router: the computer you wish the printer be installed on, the printer itself, and the internet cable. You should now ONLY have 3 cables plugged into the router. Disconnect all devices except that which was described above.
  • Set your printer's IP address to manual and give it a high IP address. For example, if your router's local IP address is 192.168.1.1; change your printer's IP address to 192.168.1.31.
  • Make sure the subnet mask and gateway match that of your router. Usually subnet mask is 255.255.255.0 and gateway is the router's local IP address (example: 192.168.1.1).
  • Now to install the printer. Click Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers. Click Add a Printer.
  • At the pop-up window, click Add a local printer.
  • Select Create a new port. Type of port select Standard TCP/IP Port. Click Next.
  • Enter the IP address of the printer in the Hostname AND Port Name (example: 192.168.1.31). Click Next.
  • Windows will now begin detecting your TCP/IP port.
  • Once that is done, a the window should read Additional port information required. At that screen, select custom.
  • At the Install a printer screen, select your printer (example: Manufacturer > HP, Printers > HP Photosmart C5100 series). Click Next.
  • Continue clicking Next until you've reached the end.
That's it! You can now plug in all other devices.

Note: If you want to install the network printer on multiple computers, you will have to disconnect everything and repeat the tutorial.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks it does work for one printer only on P1.
But I can not install a send printer on USB port on server.
It will only recognise Port 1.

LOUnatic said...

Worked for me!! Good job.

Anonymous said...

Thanks! This was a huge help for me! Worked like a charm!

Anonymous said...

Thanks. This worked exactly as stated. I don't understand why this information wasn't easier to find out there. Even the tech geeks I asked cound't help.

Anonymous said...

hi

Anonymous said...

I setup my HP LaserJet 4000 via a USB to Serial cable and the WPS54G on all my Windows 7 systems. While none of the setup worked as the documentation suggested and many postings said it could not be done it all works flawlessly now. Thanks to you posting this key piece of information!

Anonymous said...

Thank you very much for this tutorial.
It perfectly worked in my case, too!

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Eric! I had about given up trying to get my Linksys WRT54G to work on Win7 but this is exactly what I needed! -Marcus

Anonymous said...

Thanks my friend! Worked like a charm!
Ravi

Norm said...

This worked for me too but I didn't uplug stuff and when I got to the ip address for print server I knew what is was and entered it. Either way it worked. thanks!

Anonymous said...

perfect...worked like a charm on our WPS54G Print Server.

Anonymous said...

thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanks :))) it works

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