Setting up a network printer and connecting computers to it
Before beginning, it is a good idea to install and test your printer locally to be sure it works properly, and also to be sure you know the IP address of your printer. A firewall can interfere with network printing, so you may need to disable it temporarily.
1. First, set up the printer as a network printer on a network computer. Follow the instructions below that correspond to the operating system that computer is running.
a. Microsoft Windows 2000/XP
Go to the “Start” menu and select “Control Panel.” From the “Control Panel” select “Printers and Faxes” and then “Add Printer.”
In the Wizard that should pop up select “Next” and then select “Local printer.”
Now you will create a new port; create a Standard TCP/IP Port from the drop-down menu.
Click through the Wizard and add the IP address of the printer, or click browse to locate it. As long as you know the correct IP the Port Name will be filled in automatically.
Select the correct printer from the list and continue through the Wizard.
b. Microsoft Windows 95, 98, or ME
Go to the “Start” menu and select “Settings.” From “Settings” select “Printers” and then “Add Printer.”
Right click the printers icon and open the properties; Select “Local printer.”
Now you will create a new port in the “ports” tab by clicking on “Configure Port; create a Standard TCP/IP Port from the drop-down menu.
Add the Fully Qualified Domain Name of the printer, or click browse to locate it. As long as you know the correct IP the Port Name will be filled in automatically.
Select the correct printer from the list and continue through the Wizard.
c. Mac OS X
Open the “Finder” and click “Go.” Select “Applications” and then “Utilities.”
From there you can run the “Print Center” utility.
Choose your network print and click “Show Info.”
Add the Fully Qualified Domain Name of the printer, or click browse to locate it.
2. After you have set up the printer, it is time choose your operating system from the list below and follow the instructions to connect other computers to the printer if you wish them to be included.
a. Microsoft Windows 2000/XP
Go to the “Start” menu and select “Control Panel.” From the “Control Panel” select “Printers and Faxes” and then “Add Printer.”
In the Wizard that should pop up select “Next” and then select “Network printer,” or a printer that is connected to another computer. (Just don’t choose a Local printer.)
Click through the Wizard and add the network address of the printer, or click browse to locate it. (The network address is the name of the computer the printer is connected to, and then the name of the printer, for example: mycomputermyprinter)
If you are prompted to download drivers for the printer, either do so from the disk that came with the printer, or download them from the printer manufacturer’s website.
b. Microsoft Windows 95, 98, or ME
Go to the “Start” menu and select “Settings.” From “Settings” select “Printers” and then “Add Printer.”
Click “Next” and then select “Network printer.” Continue through the Wizard to add the network address.
Click through the Wizard and add the network address of the printer, or click browse to locate it. (The network address is the name of the computer the printer is connected to, and then the name of the printer, for example: mycomputermyprinter)
Select the correct printer from the list and continue through the Wizard.
c. Mac OS X
Open the “Finder” and click “Go.” Select “Applications” and then “Utilities.”
From there you can run the “Print Center” utility.
Choose your network print and click “Show Info.”
Add the Fully Qualified Domain Name of the printer, or click browse to locate it.
