HP Wireless printer Photosmart 5515 and no wireless network

paddles

I bought the above when I had wireless broadband cos figured it would be very handy etc. have since moved house and no wireless broadband available. Have a dongle etc.

Can't work out how to use printer now. I thought it just a case of connecting to laptop with the USB cable but everytime it won't work cos of the lack of a wireless connection/ network in place. PLease tell me it's not wireless exclusive!! If so, its pretty useless to me

Torqay

Well, if you want to use a wireless printer, the computer and the printer have to be on the same network.

Meaning, you will need a wireless router (dongle no good). You can buy WLAN routers with 3G support.

yoyo

Yep as Torqay says its a Wifi printer, doesn't support 3g. You can get hotspot things that act as wireless Wifi routers with 3g connection that should work, although I have heard they can also be hit and miss.

Nick

paddles

Hmm, was hoping I wouidn't have to go shopping on this one! Would the hotspot on my smart phone work maybe? I hadn't considered that.

yoyo

paddles wrote: »

Hmm, was hoping I wouidn't have to go shopping on this one! Would the hotspot on my smart phone work maybe? I hadn't considered that.

Nope, this is the thing I'm talking about. It acts as a wireless router. although I have heard it can be problematic with wifi printers. You could get a cheap wireless router and only use it for the purpose of printing, I don't know if you'll have problems running off wifi and 3g dongle combined, I'd think you'll need to unplug the dongle to use the wifi and vice versa

Nick

Torqay

Dabs is selling a WLAN N/3G router for €37, just plug your dongle into the USB port.

Sacksian

paddles wrote: »

I bought the above when I had wireless broadband cos figured it would be very handy etc. have since moved house and no wireless broadband available. Have a dongle etc.

Can't work out how to use printer now. I thought it just a case of connecting to laptop with the USB cable but everytime it won't work cos of the lack of a wireless connection/ network in place. PLease tell me it's not wireless exclusive!! If so, its pretty useless to me

The exact same thing happened to me but I did get it working with the USB cable, eventually.

Can't remember whether or not I had to root around with some of the menus or turn off something on the printer or laptop but it's definitely possible.

dharma200

Wierd. I have the same printer. No wireless. I have a usb from printer to laptop like any other printer, and have been printing away for months??

Torqay

Well, Windows 7 can be used to function as an access point (some nifty piece of software, IIRC, does that if the wlan controller supports AP mode), so it might be possible to connect the printer.

Overheal

Sadly OP, HP revised this in the 5520, which now has a direct Ad Hoc wireless capability.

I have the 5510 myself. That doesn't even have 2-sided printing. sigh

as YoYo says dedicated aircards can act as routers. As for phones, never heard of it, but I assume a few models might - doubtful though as it's not really a primary design consideration.

Sup08

According to the manual there is a USB connection to this printer.. but you have to set the printer up for it.
This is from the manual about changing from USB to wirelessm so I would assume you do the reverse to change back to USB. Only problem that might occur is that you might need to connect top the printer at least once wirelessly to do this..

Windows
Networked printer use and troubleshooting
Change from USB to wireless network connection
If you initially set up your printer using a USB connection to your computer, you can switch the connection to a wireless
network connection by following these steps.
To change from USB to wireless connection:
1. From your computer, click Start > All Programs >
HP > HP Photosmart 5510 series > Printer Setup &
Software.
2. Click Convert a USB connected printer to wireless.
Keep your USB cable connected until prompted to
disconnect it.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen.

paddles

thanks for all the advice. will try some of the non-buy-new-router-options first and see !

Overheal

yeah most printers dont ship with cables anymore but that may be the cheapest option.

You could of course also sell the printer on adverts and get most of your money back. The model is still on sale in retail, then just go in and pay a little more for the 5520.

RUCKING FETARD

This any good?

paddles

RUCKING FETARD wrote: »

This any good?

genious! this works a treat and is free! BIG THANKS!!