|
It does take a little attention to detail to setup a printer correctly (will not "auto discover" as modern OS can do with USB connected devices for example), but I had no issues on Win 2K, XP, Vista and Win7 PCs.It does a great job of allowing 2 Parallel printers (+ 1 USB) to be shared without having to swap cables, and frees up a PC for other use. NOTE: You must install IPX/SPX protocol on one PC in your network to us the Admin SW to manage some of the settings not available via the web interface.I am using this with an old HP LaserJet 4, and an HP DeskJet 722C. Given the LaserJet4 is a workhorse that is likely to keep running for years, I expect to use this device for quite some time. I recently purchased a DP-300U used on Amazon, it arrived with an IP Address different than the documented default, and I had issues loading the Admin SW on Win7. Once I installed the Admin on an XP box, was able to set the IP Address to my subnet range and all went smooth from there.
I chose the network option, by IP, and followed the rest of the directions.So to sum it all up, you need to know how to configure your network, and probably be an administrator to set this up. So I tried to manually set it up. That worked. Mine wasn't, so I changed my network range.
I received this print server and had it setup on 2 machines, my primary a Windows 7, and the other a Vista laptop. This print server was much less frustrating than the others I tried, so I rated it highly. I was then able to setup the printer with no problems. First, the software would not install, it kept giving me an error that my operating system would not let me open a file.
I then reset my network, changed the print server IP, and changed the network range back to it's original setting. I am using it with a Samsung laser printer without issue. I tried running as Administrator, with XP emulation and without, no luck. As other reviewers noted, your network must use the 192.168.0.x range or you can't hit the print server.
I give the unit one star for the attempt from tech support, although they need more training technically and with customer courtesy. It doesn't see any unit and gives you an error message, no Printer Server has been selected. When I could not reach success I decided to call. Tech support was friendly but difficult to understand.
I kept repeated that the unit is not talking. First of all, the directions are not very clear. I went with a Trendnet TE 100 - P21 which was much friendlier and I never had to call anyone. Several techs told me to reset the unit. router and proceeded to getting one port working one time. When I attempted to add the second printer, I could not connect.
Also they don't seem to know this product. Also, the software that comes with the unit has no instruction. He was more helpful but couldn't explain why 2 technicians had me try to press the reset button and ALSO told me to load the PS software to talk to the unit and reconfigure it. No apology or consideration of the wasted time and money was given. Two days and many hours later they concluded that the unit was defective and told me to bring it back to the store. That was the end of the operation. I give this unit much lower grades for hardware issues, installation ease and least of all technical support than the other reviewers. I had 3 pc's connecting to 2 printers in less than 2 hours.
Should I load the software. The unit does not have a reset button. What's the point of connecting to the software and try to do a reset. Anyway, I followed both which contradicted each other and found that it was easier for me to come up with my own method. I passed this on to a supervisor who said he would look into all that were involved in the case. But I went forward and they had me directly connect to the unit vs. They had me follow yet a third direction. That should stop you in your consideration tracks right there.
The product photo is incorrect but the description is correct. You have to know networking to set it up, I wouldn't recommend it to a novice. D-Link DP-300U 10/100TX 1-USB Port 2-Parallel Port Print Server It does work and as stated in other reviews, the ports are labeled backwards. Good tip, it saved me a real headache.
I am very pleased with the service. The product was just as descriped and mailed out promptly.
|
