TCP/IP - Intermittent Printer problem

[lightwind]

I've got 2 PC's connected by cables to a router with a built in printer port, and one printer which I share between the 2 PC's.

Up until recently I've been able to print OK, but now I get an intermittent fault where sometimes documents will print and other times they won't. I've recently installed Win XP SP3 and then de-installed. Hardware details below:

VAIO laptop - most of the print problems
Evesham desktop PC - OK
Draytek Vigor 2900VG router
Canon Pixma ip4200 printer
Win XP Home SP2
Latest Canon printer drivers

I've de-installed and re-installed the printer and also the TCP/IP port - makes no difference, i.e works sometimes, doesn't on others

Any suggestions on what else I can try???

[haydnwalker]

Has the printer got a static IP address or a DHCP one (ie provided by the router automatically)?

If its DHCP try assigning it a static IP address as DHCP can cause IPs to change without the users knowledge.

[Graham M]

The printer is plugged into the router's Printer Port, in which case I assume the printer will share its IP with the router surely?

[lightwind]

Originally Posted by haydnwalker

Has the printer got a static IP address or a DHCP one (ie provided by the router automatically)?

If its DHCP try assigning it a static IP address as DHCP can cause IPs to change without the users knowledge.

Sorry, I don't know how to find this out or change this. How do I check?

[haydnwalker]

Originally Posted by Graham M

The printer is plugged into the router's Printer Port, in which case I assume the printer will share its IP with the router surely?

Doubt it would share the routers IP (I've never come across that before though). If the printer has a LAN port on it and connected via ethernet cable then it would have its own IP.

[handyman]

Originally Posted by haydnwalker

Doubt it would share the routers IP (I've never come across that before though). If the printer has a LAN port on it and connected via ethernet cable then it would have its own IP.

This printer does not have an ethernet port on it we use one in the office but it is simply tethered to a pc and shared over the network.

The router the OP is using will have a usb port for the printer and will share it. There must be a way of looking at the settings for this port in the router config.

[Graham M]

Originally Posted by handyman

This printer does not have an ethernet port on it we use one in the office but it is simply tethered to a pc and shared over the network.

The router the OP is using will have a usb port for the printer and will share it. There must be a way of looking at the settings for this port in the router config.

a router with a built in printer port

Exactly

[lightwind]

Sorry guys, I think I'm missing something here .

Have you any other suggestions for what else I can do to resolve this?

Is there anything I need to check in the registry or services, or anywhere else?

Originally Posted by lightwind

Sorry guys, I think I'm missing something here .

Have you any other suggestions for what else I can do to resolve this?

Is there anything I need to check in the registry or services, or anywhere else?

I was probably having a balding grey moment, but I never did manage to get a printer working via my router's usb printer port - eventually I did it as a network share, which just means the pc the printer is plugged into has to be online for the printer to be used by any other pc on the network.

It was made easier for me using a little prog called Network Magic, but no links, as it is not free & I'm making an observation, not recommending anything