I want to connect my wifes printer to the internet. The printer has a LAN socket but the our router is downstairs, printer upstairs. She has a a die cutting machine which needs to access the internet to work with certain features and also the printer and laptop. So without hard wiring the printer to router would something like this do the job or am I looking at the wrong type of thing needed? http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/tp-link-n150-universal-wireless-n-range-extender-n69qt

 

I am thinking I can plug the printer into the device shown above, yes or no?

 

She has 2 printers but the wireless one has just given up working, had enough so onto the other printer which isn't wireless but has the LAN conn.

 

She did think about a new wireless printer but with this other one she has all she needs but not wireless.

 

Thanks for any advice.

Edited 14 September, 201510 yr by MickA

I want to connect my wifes printer to the internet. The printer has a LAN socket but the our router is downstairs, printer upstairs. She has a a die cutting machine which needs to access the internet to work with certain features and also the printer and laptop. So without hard wiring the printer to router would something like this do the job or am I looking at the wrong type of thing needed? http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/tp-link-n150-universal-wireless-n-range-extender-n69qt

 

I am thinking I can plug the printer into the device shown above, yes or no?

 

She has 2 printers but the wireless one has just given up working, had enough so onto the other printer which isn't wireless but has the LAN conn.

 

She did think about a new wireless printer but with this other one she has all she needs but not wireless.

 

Thanks for any advice.

 

 

If I'm understanding you right, you want to connect a non-wireless capable printer by wireless? If so, the device you're looking at won't help as it's designed to extend a wireless signal.

 

The LAN connection on the printer will allow you to use a network cable between the printer and computer / router but that is probably complicating matters as you should be able to connect the printer and computer directly the old fashioned way by using a USB cable?

 

EDIT: What's the printer make/model?

The printer is a Brother MFC 5890CN. We connected it via the usual USB lead which is ok for general use and not a problem. In my first post I mentioned a die cutting machine which complicates matters as that needs internet access for some features and thus to link to the printer.

She has this machine to connect up too http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/cricut-explore-design-and-cutting-system/601377-1000 it's a web based design studio which links it along with the printer to cut out pretty patterns (for want of a better term)

 

As I say it all worked seamlessly with her wireless printer until it gave up the ghost. Now I'm tasked with getting it all working again but without a wireless printer.

 

It would be easier to buy another printer suitable but she has this other printer which cost a good deal more and is under used.

Something like this http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/networking/printservers/TPLink/TL-PS110U.html?gclid=CLf96_GB98cCFUeVGwodu5oJxw#utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=products

However, the devil can be in compatibility with these items.

simonsheil has beaten me to it with the print server suggestion. This is the best solution I can think of but as simon mentioned it will work only if your hardware is compatible.

Thanks chaps but there maybe a problem.

The printer is upstairs and the LAN conn which is on the router is downstairs.  It says on the print server (TP box above) connect the USB conn to the printer and then connect to the LAN, that is downstairs. So I still need a long cable, yes or am I reading it incorrect?

 

Thanks so far for your patience.

The print server connects wirelessly to your router but as has been said they can be a pain to set up. I have a netgear one here you can have for free if you want to try it but if I remember correctly it was a right pain to get it working.

I'm not convinced the one suggested is actually wireless but that's what you need given the distance between your printer and router, something like this - http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/tp-link-54mbps-pocket-sized-wireless-print-server-a40lq

There seems to be a common theme of frustration trying to set these things up though  :|

 

I think I'd be taking ashfan up on his offer!

Older wireless capable printers can be used in another room.  Often the setup needs to be done by cable before reverting to wifi mode.

 

If it's that important get an Air-ready or Cloud-Ready printer - they can be had quite cheap - and it's easier than struggling to make your old hardware work in new ways.

Edited 14 September, 201510 yr by camelspyyder

Right chaps, bit of egg on face moment here.

 

Well a bit of inspiration from my missus. I suggested all sorts of things to try and we have had one last go tonight before I have a beer, good idea.

 

She said let's try Google chrome to open up the programme she uses for her die cutting thingy machine. She had been using IE 11 as it's just been installed with her Win 10 upgrade. So changed over to Chrome and bingo it is all up and running again and she is a happy bunny. The IE 11 wasn't letting the programme talk to the printer and telling us there is a network problem and it's not connected. We should have the laptop talking to die cutting machine and printer all in tandem, which it is now. We live and learn.

 

Many thanks and also the offer of the netgear one Ashfan, hopefully not needed now.

Damn, I thought that was one less thing in my box of bits. Only kidding, if things change let me know.