| Linksys WPS54G Wireless-G 802.11g Print Server |
 enlarge
|
Model: WPS54G
Brand: Linksys
Manufacturer: Linksys
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 138
Operating system: Windows
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
|
|
|
| |
| Features: |
Share a printer with everyone on your network -- works with most USB 1.1 or 2.0 printers
Connects your printer directly to the network by 10/100 wired Ethernet or 54 Mbps Wireless-G (802.11g)
Prevents congestion on your PC with other users' print jobs
No need to leave a PC on 24/7 |
| |
| Description: |
| The Linksys Wireless-G PrintServer lets you connect a USB printer directly to your network, eliminating the need to dedicate a PC to print sharing chores. Using a PrintServer frees up your ""print share PC"" so you don't have to leave it on all the time. It also removes the printing bottleneck, and sets your PC free to do more useful work. Connect the PrintServer directly to your network by 10/100 Ethernet cable, or wirelessly over 54Mbps Wireless-G (802.11g). The wireless option lets you put your printer wherever you want to, without having to run cables. Whichever way the PrintServer is attached to your network, both your wireless and wired PCs will have access to it, and the printer it's connected to. And if you don't use wireless for general networking in your office, you can still use the Wireless-G connection in ad-hoc mode to print from visiting Wireless-G and Wireless-B PCs. The USB port is compatible with USB 1.1 printers, as well as printers that support the new high-speed USB 2.0 specification for even faster throughput. Your data is protected by up to 128-bit WEP encryption, or pre-shared-key WPA. A user-friendly Setup Wizard makes installation easy, the compact case fits anywhere, and the three megabyte print buffer size handles even large graphics-intensive print jobs. Let the Linksys Wireless-G PrintServer for USB 2.0 bring efficiency to your printing tasks. |
| |
| User Reviews (138 total): |
Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 of Total 7 Pages
|
Bad design no longer works and support is terrible, May 10, 2008
By L. Simon (Chicago, IL USA)
This worked fairly good for a few months. Biggest problem I had was that: (1) This forces the attached printer to become the default printer. This is not what I wanted as I bought this for a secondary photo printer and still use a close by, and attached, laser printer for 95% of my printing needs. Linksys support confirmed there is no work around for this. (2) You can not monitor printer status through the print server so you lose the ability to monitor ink levels.
But after a few months my WPS54G decided to stop working. It will no longer connect wirelessly and any attempt to do so, or access the internal web based set up screens, causes the WPS54G to totally lock up. Tried troubleshooting myself for several hours with the only result being that I saw comments from others posting on other web sites who have the same unresolved problem. Spent a couple hours with Linksys Tech Support only to be either hung up on or disconnected twice before problem was resolved. Complained to customer service who transferred me to Sr. Tech Support only to wait on hold for about 45 minutes before giving up. I will say I got a follow up call from a nice US based customer support rep. who is attempting to resolve, but that was three days ago and no resolution yet. I know this unit is defective and needs replacement under warranty, but getting a return authorization or diagnosis has taken hours over four days so far with no resolution in sight. It really doesn't make sense to spend so much time on this (maybe that is what Linksys hopes for) but I want to see this to some resolution on principle at this point.
re: WPS54G V2.0 purchased December 2007
|
It's a paperweight!, April 19, 2008
By J. Sanderson (Midwest, USA)
This has been the most stubborn, non-working piece of hardware to date. I've spent hours trying everything to get it to work - and when it does work, it's only for a short time then it drops out of the network. It all starts with the install wizard not recognizing it, so you have to set it up manually which is no big deal...if it worked.
Going to get a D-Link now.
|
Reboot, reboot, reboot.., March 28, 2008
By ill advised (Los Angeles, CA)
Did I mention "reboot"? I have a Linksys wireless-G router and this server is very consistent. Meaning, it constantly needs rebooting before I can print.
|
Poor device...Be aware., March 7, 2008
By jazs_1972 (CARACAS, VENEZUELA)
I believe that Linksys fault in the development of this product and must retire it of the market. No all printer models (not multifuntional) are supported and they don't publish a list of compatible printers.
I contacted the Customer Support and they told me that they can't published the list because it's for internal use only.
The concept of the product is excellent but this one doesn't work properly.
Be aware before buy it... check with them if you printer is supported.
|
All promise, no payoff, February 25, 2008
By Chapman B. Rackaway (Hays, KS)
Quite simply, it doesn't work. Ask to return it, and your only response is silence.
Set-up was a chore, and requires you to precisely follow the instructions so specifically that most of your time is wasted. Then once I tried to connect to my wi-fi (encrypted) it wouldn't connect. The problem was NOT my wi-fi encryption, though. The setup program would not accept my WEP key.
A massive waste of time and money. Couldn't be more disappointed in a product.
|
Avoid the WPS54G 1!!, February 20, 2008
By P. Audet
This product is skechy at best. Linksys, overall, makes terrific products that are easy to use and reliable. But this one is the clunker.
For most people, it just will not connect via wireless. If you visit the linksys support forum, there is post after post of people that just can't get it to work with or without wireless security. I am one of those. I have tried every suggestion and have hours into trying to get this to connect. It just won't connect. It also has a habit of of dropping its cabled ethernet connection for no apparent reason causing you to have to reset it.
A lucky few seem to have few or no problems, but it seems that is the minority.
Avoid this particular Linksys product. I have nothing but high praise for the rest of their product line, but this one is the clunker :-(
|
Nice investment for the price, February 8, 2008
By L. G. Redmond (Dearborn Heights, Michigan)
Great piece of hardware to have in your system. We have two laptops plus a desktop cumputer, before now when working on one of the laptops we would have to save the document on a portable memory device, download it onto the desk top and then print. Now we get excellent quality prints without all the extra hassle. The only downfall with the way this unit hooks up is, the desktop has to be "online" in order to print as it is now sent through the router, which also slows down the print operation from the desktop. And also hooked up this way, the scanner doesn't work from the desktop. I need to pick up a "Pigtail splitter" so I can hook it up direct to the printer. Other than that we are really happy with this device.
|
Works great... even with Linux, January 31, 2008
By J. Bryan Wall (Lexington, KY)
Most of the negative reviews of this unit appear to be by people who don't have a strong understanding of wireless networking and/or Windows printing setup. That's not a knock on those people, because wireless networking can be a complex subject. I suspect Linksys tech support doesn't know much more than what's printed in the manual either, so I'm not surprised that some people have not had luck after calling support. If you aren't really knowledgeable about networking and wireless configuration (IP addresses, WEP/WPA security, etc.), it might be a good idea to have a techie friend help with the setup, rather than call tech support.
Some of the complaints are about having to connect it to a wired network first for setup; that's not a problem with this device, it's just a fact of how wireless networks work. It's also very easy to do and only takes a few minutes. I configured the unit without even using the included CD, and it worked on the first try.
I have both a Windows XP and Linux (Ubuntu) system printing to it flawlessly. To use it with Linux, first set up the print server, then add a network printer at the address ipp://192.168.1.44:631/ipp/P1 - replacing the IP address with the address of your print server. You can also print to it from Windows without installing the Linksys driver by using an "IP Port" and a similar address (Just a little Google searching will find directions for this, look for "lpr printing").
Overall this unit does what it's designed to do, and it about as easy to use and set up as a device that supports 802.11 networking can be.
|
lousy interface, January 28, 2008
By jp (Reading, MA USA)
I am very unhappy with this Linksys product, who I have always had good luck in the past. It has a very bad "wizard" interface that will not let you print any other way except using this interface. I could not connect through the wizard (despite being able to connect through the "secret" web interface) and was unable to use this device. I'm very knowledgable about print servers and networking and have never had an issue setting them up before this (I have two other network servers in my house already). I recommend a different brand.
|
Read why you DON'T want to buy this product, January 19, 2008
By tech savvy guy (Minneapolis, MN USA)
I thought this was a great idea BUT soon found out how much of a pain this is and I now have absolutely no confidence in any Linksys products as their R&D department really missed the goal of this product!!
1st. You have to initially connect it to a computer AND Ethernet. Now, if you are buying this because you put your printer in a central location near neither, you will need to move it back.
2nd When you want to add a new computer to the network and connect it to the printer. The PRINTER and DRIVER MUST ALREADY BE INSTALLED ON THE COMPUTER. WTF! So for every computer you will need to connect it to the printer to work, or bring the printer to each computer.
I have lynksys routers, game adapters, and range extenders... All were easy to set up. I have lost all my confidence in lynksys and will not purchase another product from them.
Oh, and if you want tech support? Good luck. Their on-line chat session lasts 50 times longer than it should because it is apparent their tech guys are chatting with 50 other clients helping them with the same problems you will have if you purchase this product. The wait time when you immediately give them a quick Yes / No response is about 5 minutes. Unacceptable customer service. And this is a product that Lynksys should never have introduced. And forget about connecting if you have a Mac - there is no support.
|
|
|
Not Vista Compatible, January 18, 2008
By R. F. Woods (Keswick, VA USA)
This unit was quick and easy to install, with good directions. It does print remotely but it does not show the ink level on the computer and the print server does not appear on the network. After much hassle and troubleshooting dead ends with Linksys, they admitted that this unit is not Vista compatible, that there are no Vista drivers for download, and that they have no idea whether a Vista driver will ever be available. It is disappopinting that a supposedly good company like Linksys would still be selling incompatible new units a year after Vista was introduced, without disclosing the Vista incompatibility.
|
Not as easy as advertised, January 18, 2008
By V. Desai (Orange, CA, USA)
Was not able to get it to work with HP LaserJet 3055 Printer. Spent 2 hours with tech support until they finally told me to return the device. Also tried the WPSM54G and had the same result.
|
Not for Mac users, January 11, 2008
By Ross R. (VA United States)
I'm sure this is a wonderful product and my friend who bought it from me loves it on his pc based home network. Unfortunately, mine is entirely a Mac house and no matter what we tried, we couldn't get it to work with any of our computers or printers.
|
Straightforward, easy installation, and flawless performance, January 7, 2008
By Robert Long (Round Rock, TX United States)
I purchased this product just a few days ago, and admit some hesitation after reading all the negativity in the other reviews. Perhaps the manufacturer has taken these comments to heart--the installation sheet was easy to follow, everything went smoothly, and when I finished (about 10 minutes later), everything worked perfectly. I have a WPA network, and it does indeed support WPA. I'd buy it again, and I'd recommend it to others.
|
Typical Linksys, December 17, 2007
By Sports Jock
I am currently on my second print server. The first one was always very hot, even if it was not being used. Well after a year it just stopped working. No lights nothing. The only reason I purchased another one was because all my other wireless products were Linksys. This time I attached a large heat sink to one side. This one runs much cooler. With all of the problems setting up my router, print server, range expander (all Linksys) I wish I had gone with another vendor. Now my range expander has stopped working after about a year and I assume it would be the same problem as the print server - heat. Oh well, this time I will switch to another brand and as my Linksys products die, I will replace them with their competitors brand. I am tired of customer service that can't speak English, setup instructions not written by English speaking employees and a total lack of knowledge of their own product.
|
MACs of HELL, November 6, 2007
By AJRodz (Colorado, US)
AppleTalk doesn't quite work as advertised.Tried several things but it won't detect it as the correct printer through appletalk. Works great with windows machines.
|
Linksys WPS54G Wireless-G 802.11g Print Server, October 4, 2007
By Westfireman (Katy TX)
It works great, I moved the printer to the closet and I have more room in my office. It not easy to install it, you have to call tecnical support for help.(they are pretty good)
|
Works well but tricky to set up; maye this will help, September 11, 2007
By Michael Sandman (Brookline, MA United States)
Once you get this kind of gizmo going, it works nicely. You can connect multiple computers on your home network to a printer that's within WiFi range. But look at all those 1-star and 2-star reviews! What's going on here?
Setting wirss gear is a challenge, because you have to do exactly the right things in exactly the right sequence, and some of the things you have to do right aren't mentioned in Linksys's setup wizard that runs when you insert the Linksys setup CD into your computer. Or they're mentioned so late in the process that you may have to start all over again!
The process takes about 90 minutes if you do everything right the first time around and don't have to double back. Most of the time you're watching software load - it's as exciting as watching paint dry.
Here's what you have to do, as far as I'm able to recount from having just done it for a friend's home network. (He bought the version of this device that also handles multi-function printers, but the setup process is the same.) If you think the following is written in Greek or maybe in Geek, get someone else to do this for you. If you're up to the challenge, this review may save you time and frustration and prevent more 1-star reviews.
(1) Before you set the print server up, it's a good idea to go to the web site of the company that makes your router (Linksys, D-Link, Netgear, etc.) and download and install the latest "firmware" for your router. That takes maybe 15 minutes.
(2) Move the printer close to the PC that's connected to your wireless router. It has to be close enough to the router for you to connect it via a standard Ethernet ("patch" or "Internet") cable. It's not a big deal, but it means you may have to set the printer up in one place and then move it back to where you want it to be. (Linksys supplies the necessary cables in the box, which is to their credit. Most printer manufacturers make you buy your own cable.)
(3) The printer needs to be set up on the computer using a wired (USB) connection *before* you try to set up the wireless connection. If you're just going wireless with a printer you've already installed on the PC that's connected to your WiFi router, you're all set. But if you're installing a new printer, or trying to go wireless with a printer you've moved from some other computer, be sure to install it as a USB printer first. (3-a) Once you have the printer set up as a wireless "network" computer, you may want to uninstall the USB version of the same printer, because when you boot up, some versions of Windows will give you endless warnings that the local printer isn't connected. (3-b) This also means that if you ever buy a new printer and you want to connect it wirelessly via the Linksys print server, you have to install it first as a (wired) USB printer, and then re-run the "Set Up Computer" wizard from the CD that comes with the Linksys. Don't lose that CD!
(4) The setup wizard asks for a password for the print server. You can use any password you like, BUT then it asks for a passphrase, and the wizard fails to point out that you need the exact WEP passphrase or WEP key you've (already) used to set up your wireless router. (You are using WEP or stronger security on your wireless router, right? If not, go find out how to set up WEP security and do it immediately.) (4-a) The setup wizard asks for a passphrase, but if you've used a passcode on your router, there's a way to enter it you look carefully at the screen.
(5) Once you complete setting up the wireless print server, the wizard leads you through setting up your computer. Again, you must have already installed the printer onto the computer via a USB cable before you get to this point! Follow the instructions and by gosh - it works! Then at the very end there's a small note saying that if you want to set up other computers, you have to install the printer drivers first. Nice of Linksys to point that out at the very end; it would have saved me an hour of messing around if they'd said that at the beginning!
(6) Once the printer is set up, it's the default printer, and it wasn't possible (at least for me, with Windows XP) to set a different printer up as the default printer on one of the computers on my home friend's network. A minor irritation, in most cases, and there may be a workaround. If I find it I'll add it to this review.
So: 5 stars for convenience once it's set up; 3 stars for the glitch with the default; 2 stars for poor setup instructions... how do you rate this thing? 4 stars, I guess.
|
Works decently, setup was easy, September 2, 2007
By Middle age tech freak (Auburn, CA United States)
I was a little apprehensive about this one, due to the the comments here. I took the plunge after confirming that it would work with my HP 6540 printer. Setup was easy - but since I run WPA on the wireless side, hooking up to the wired side was a necessity for configuring it (of course - how would it know your key?)
The quick start guide was passable, I ended up using the PDF version of the full manual instead.
It does run very hot - but since everyone says this about them, I'm sure it's "normal". I'm currently trying to decide whether I will leave it on all the time, or keep the printer and printserver powered off until I need to print.
|
Spectacular!, August 25, 2007
By Matthew Edmonds (Cleveland, Ohio USA)
Installation of the item contains a lot of steps. Hooking the print server up to the router using a network cable is a must during installation. That being said, it's been 3 weeks since installation and I haven't had so much as a malfunction with it. Using a APC 350VA UPS, I have kept the print server and WRT54G up in constant syncronization.
|
Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 of Total 7 Pages
|
|
| Copyright 2001-2007 WiFiReview.com |
|