| Wireless-G PrintServer with Multifunction Printer Support |
 enlarge
|
Model: WPSM54G
Brand: Linksys
Manufacturer: Linksys
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 85
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
|
|
|
| |
| Features: |
Share a multifunction printer with everyone on your network -- works with most USB printers
Allows full access to printing, faxing, scanning, and copying functions
Connects your printer directly to the network by 10/100 wired Ethernet or 54Mbps Wireless-G
Prevents congestion on your PC with other users' print jobs |
| |
| Description: |
| The Linksys Wireless-G PrintServer with Multifunction Printer Support lets you connect a multifunction 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.The PrintServer is compatible with most USB multifunction printers, and allows full access to printing, faxing, scanning, and copying functions. Like any print server, users on the network can print anytime. The other functions are treated a little differently - any user can request access to one of the other functions, and get exclusive use of that function until his task is complete.Connect the PrintServer directly to your network by 10/100 Ethernet cable, or wirelessly at up to 54Mbps via Wireless-G. 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.Your wireless data is protected by up to 128-bit WPA-PSK encryption. A user-friendly Setup Wizard makes installation easy, the compact case fits anywhere, and the big print buffer handles even large graphics-intensive print jobs. Let the Linksys Wireless-G PrintServer with Multifunction Printer Support bring efficiency to all your home office tasks. |
| |
| User Reviews (85 total): |
Page 1 2 3 4 of Total 4 Pages
|
Great Print Server, August 12, 2008
By user (Dallas, Tx. USA)
After reading all the reviews I was scared to death. What an overraction.
If you are using a new printer load its drivers on your computer and make sure it works properly with a direct wired USB cable. Then load the Linksys CD and follow the directions. I chose to use a static IP address in my routers range. When asked enter the WPA (or WEP) password enter the same one you use on your router. That's all there is to it.
Total install time was 20 minutes with 10 of that waiting for the software to load.
|
wireless G PrintServer with Multifunction Printer Support, August 1, 2008
By user (Indianapolis)
Easy set up in Windows XP virtually plug n play but following instructions made it work like a charm! Set up in Ubuntu Linux was a smaller challenge but it works great too. Had to use the information from the Ubuntu forums gurus but it still works. I used an HP Printer which works well with both Operating systems. Have a wireless network at home and now the printer can be put in the house separate from the computers and wireless router.
|
Works great on a HP6210, August 1, 2008
By user (Texas)
I have had this product for about a month now for an additional network printer and have not run into any issues. Range is good as print server is in library and wireless-G access in separate office over garage. Has good connection speed 24-36 mbs which is plenty for printing even the largest of print files. Setup was about 10 minutes. Installed Linksys print server software on one laptop for scanning and other multi-functions and use TCP/IP printer port for printing only to the HP 6210 from other laptops. Recommend assigning a static IP to the Print Server to maintain same printer and network connection.
|
NEVER BUY THIS PRODUCT, WORST DEVICE FROM LINKSYS EVER! F--------, July 13, 2008
By user (Pittsburgh, PA)
The Linksys Wireless-G PrintServer with Multifunction Printer Support is not up to the normal linksys quality that I expected.
In order to configure the PrintServer properly, you need to connect your PC, and PrintServer to your router via a HARD WIRED ethernet port and have your printer connected to the print server via USB cable. So everything has to be in the same location connected together. This is why I have a wireless network in my home in the first place, so my devices can be moved around without being hard wired.
I should have returned the product then, but I decided to relocate half of my equipment and continue the setup. I followed all the instructions carefully. Then I got to step 6 and my printer did not show up on the list on the setup screen. The manual said to click refresh, but that did not work either. My PrintSever was not discoverable. I decided to try it again on my other PC, but I got the same bad results.
I was frustrated and disappointed, but decided to call the customer support line anyways just in case I was not doing something correctly.
The customer support person did a good job to help me setup the print server, even if it took 1 and 1/2 hours. I ran the setup to install the drivers on the computer upstairs too, and this time the software installed the drivers correctly and my printer showed up on the PrintSever list.
I was happy I was able to print wireless and setup a PC to print on my network as well. But as soon as I tried to scan, it failed. I tried a few things really quickly to resolve the issue like restarting the computers, unplugging the PrintServer for 10 seconds, none of my quick troubleshooting techniques worked.
Needless to say, I'm done. I am not passing go and collecting my 200 dollars, or trying to update the drivers or firmware or anything like that. I'm returning this piece of junk, and you should NEVER BUY THIS PRODUCT. Please save yourself time and aggravation.
PS: The customer support person was supposed to call me back in 1/2 hour to make sure I got my other computer setup. That did not happen.
|
If you have a Mac don't waste your money..., July 7, 2008
By user (Chicago, IL USA)
... because this device will not work with Apple computers. If there was an option to rate it 0 stars I would have.
|
Not as easy as I thought, July 7, 2008
By user
Before buying this item, I had tried (unsuccessfully) to install a NetGear print server. I am by no means computer or networking illiterate (I have the fancy piece of paper to prove it), but was absolutely unable to configure that server to my network at work.
I purchased the Linksys as we have a Linksys router. To my surprise, it was so easy to install! Put the CD in, followed the directions, entered my WEP key, and waited (and waited and waited) for the drivers to install.
After writing review, thinking it would install properly, it didn't. The work around I found (after installation stalled at 76%) was to reinstall my print drivers (that had been magically deleted), uninstall the drivers Linksys installed, then reinstall the Linksys drivers. Installation continued at 77% and never looked back. Completed installation and print server works like a charm.
|
Easier than I thought, July 3, 2008
By user
Read Michael Sandman's review and follow his directions. I set this up in under 30min for three computers thanks to his advice. First install the printer on all computers directly through USB. Then set up the print server. This requires you to attach the printer server directly to your wireless router - I needed a 25ft ethernet cable to reach without moving everything around (a 4ft ethernet cable is provided). This connection is only temporary to get things set-up. It takes a few minutes and then you disconnect the physical connection and go wireless. Then you run the provided CD on each computer. I expected a much more difficult process. I was a bit worried because of the low reviews and set-up problems. I am not tech savvy, but the directions were very easy to follow (just install the printer via USB first!!!)
|
Works good - but NOT with Vista 64 bit, June 24, 2008
By user (San Diego, CA)
Overall I was very happy with this printserver...UNTIL I tried to add in a new HP laptop with Vista Home Premium 64 bit.
All my other machines installed and worked fine (desktop 32 bit Vista & Win2K laptop) but the 64 bit Vista machine will not even install. Ironically I was able to run the initial print server setup from the 64 bit Vista laptop, but when I went back to install the software so that laptop could access the print server I got the error: "the OS is not support". Come on - that is not even a fully formed English sentence, but that is as far as you get with a 64 bit Vista machine!
I did some digging and it looks like there is no current driver to support the 64 bit Vista systems. Here is where Linksys has dropped the ball. Linksys doesn't even acknowledge the driver issue online and show Vista as supported on their site. A search of their support forums will confirm the problem however. When contacted support acknowleded there is no driver for 64 bit Vista and they had no idea if there ever would be one. Gee, that was helpful!
Wireless-G PrintServer with Multifunction Printer Support
|
Great, May 31, 2008
By user
Once it was hooked up correctly, it works great with no problems.
Be sure to have your computer hooked up to your printer while you load the software. Only disconnect it when the step by step instructions tell you to do so.
|
Works Like a Charm!, May 26, 2008
By user (Houston, TX USA)
This print server was installed for a Canon PIXMA MP610 multifunction printer and a Dell Inspiron 1520 notebook PC running Windows Vista. Both are connected wirelessly to our home network. It took some time to install correctly, but it was worth it. As another reviewer said, the key to a smooth installation is first installing the printer drivers in the PC(s) that you're going to be printing from. Then just run the Linksys print server installation CD and follow the instructions.
I contacted Linksys tech support via chat before the installation and they provided a link with step-by-step instructions that were very helpful. All in all, I am very pleased with this product and would buy it again.
|
|
|
Don't buy this product!!!, May 25, 2008
By user (Canada)
This product has given me more grief to install than setting up the whole wired and wireless network in my house. I used an HP PSC 1350 as USB printer. I have 2 XP computers, 1 desktop and 1 laptop. The WPSM54G took hours to install on a desktop XP, and it is very critical that the sequence of events get followed. I got it working there but the reason why we need a network printer is for multiple computers. Then tried on a wireless laptop XP, and spent days figuring out how to make it work. Even Linksys tech support couldn't provide an answer why the install stops at 76%. Read a bunch of reviews and like anyone, I was stubborn to listen because it is a Linksys. I'm convinced now that this product should be taken out of the market as it damages the Linksys brand. I bought it on sale and I got what I paid for. I would suggest that people buy a new printer with a network card built in rather than this product. Sell the old printer, or donate them to family/friends, then use the money for the new printer. It'll save you far more time in my mind. I have a 3rd Vista and I will not even dare to install the WPSM54G as uninstall is not clean. Buyers anyone???
|
Wireless print server w/multifunction printer support, May 18, 2008
By user (Nebraska)
The print part works OK but have been unable to scan so far. Maybe I'm not doing something right. I was sure hoping I could scan without having to undo the USB from the wireless remote to hook the printer directly to the PC again.
|
Good product, May 14, 2008
By user
Excellent performance for home use. Fast to connect and easy to use, printer and scanner.
|
Doesn't work, April 23, 2008
By user (SW Missouri)
The network couldn't find the print server, and tech support was no help. After a few hours of struggling with it, I boxed it up and sent it back. I think the tech support guy was relieved.
|
Great product...if you can get it setup, April 23, 2008
By user
I have a HP PSC 750xi and was able to get the PrintServer setup, but not without much difficulty. I didn't encounter any problems with the wireless portion of the setup; it was typical of any other wireless product. When it came time during the installation for the print server drivers, however, the install program would hang consistently while verifying them.
After about 3-4 hours with tech support (1 agent extremely unhelpful, the other much better) I was emailed a driver to use. The first time after installing the driver, it didn't work, but after mucking with the printer settings some more, it finally did. I honestly don't know if it was the driver I was sent or some setting I finally got right; I was mostly following the advice given on the Linksys customer forums.
Now that it is working, I have had zero problems with the device. It's great to be able to print from the laptop anywhere in the house.
So, in a nutshell, it seems to me that some printers are easier than others to setup with the PrintServer. If in your research before buying, you find that your printer plays nicely with the PrintServer setup, I would highly recommend this product; otherwise, be prepared, because you might have to do some troubleshooting setting this up.
|
Wireless Printer Router by Linksys, April 22, 2008
By user (Colorado)
Great product. However, be sure to check to make sure your printer is compatible with this model. The Linksys technicians were not very much help. I called three times for assistance and after 20 minute delay I was disconnected. That happened each time. The instructions were not clear on how to hard wire my desktop computer to routers. But after a couple of options, I finally discarded the instructions and got everything working fine on my own. The Wireless Printer Router does work great.
|
Works great, April 20, 2008
By user (Baltimore, MD)
In my home, I had a very old PC that we used as a print server. It also had a large disk drive that we used for backups. This old computer was never used as a PC. It was big, ugly, and in the way. I bought a new Linksys router (WRT-600) with a USB disk connection, and connected the backup disk to the router. If I could find a wireless print server, I could ditch the old computer.
After reading all the reviews, I was skeptical that a good unit was even available. But after several months of successful use, I must say this unit works flawlessly with my HP Laserjet 1022 and the 3 laptop PCs in my house. Unlike many home wireless products, the Wireless-G Print Server runs very cool.
As several reviewers have pointed out, you must make the printer work on your PC before installing the Print Server. Since all the PCs in the house are laptops, bringing the PCs to the printer to install the driver was quite easy.
I have worked with several Linksys and Netgear wireless products. This was the first product for which the "Easy Install" program actually worked. The program found my router and connected the Print Server. Then it installed a server program to my PCs. The server program sits in my task bar. I really don't know very much about it, because it's always green. Installation was flawless for one Vista PC and two XP PCs. Linksys includes every cable you need, even the Ethernet cable that you use just once for a few minutes while configuring the Print Server to the router. That's a nice touch.
Here's my caveats.
* I don't have a scanner or fax, so I don't use those features. I can't say how they work.
* The USB driver for the LaserJet 1022 is very simple. It doesn't, for example, try to tell me how much ink I have left.
* I didn't have any problems with the Easy Install. I have no idea how well the manual installation would work or how good tech support would be. I can say, though, that I had a good experience with tech support for my Linksys WRT-600 when the auto-install progam didn't work.
* Finally, I am in a semi-rural location. I don't use WEP, or WPA, or MAC filtering; and I do broadcast my SSID. So I can't say from personal experience how using these security features would affect operation or installation. I did change the router's IP address from the default value. That did not create any problems at all.
I can't address all the issues others have raised in these reviews. But I can say that the unit works well for me. The printer is always available from all my PCs.
|
Works great with Canon multi function printer, April 19, 2008
By user (Texas)
I bought this product expecting it would work with my Canon MP530 based on a previous reviewer who got it to work. I can confirm that it works great with said printer. I am using a Netgear WPN824 router with this print server. Setup was a breeze. I followed the instructions on the setup CD to the letter. The setup is quite simple. During setup the print-server must be connnected to the router and to the printer via a cable. This is so that the print server may be setup. After the first computer is set up and the print-server is recognized via the wireless you will be able to set the remaining computers via wireless.
The setup installs print-server software which masks a USB connection to the computer and allows the computer to communicate with the printer. E.g. I can check my printer status and see the amount of ink remaining on the printer. Printing worked pretty well. It was about the same speed as printing with the computer attached to the printer. This is no surprise as the printer prints much more slowly than the network can communicate with it. The bottleneck will be when scanning. Scanning of a moderately sized document over the wireless was slow. A scan which normally would take about 30 seconds or so can easily take several minutes over the wireless. For black and white documents it is fairly reasonable as well as for low resolution (~100dpi) color documents. These scan in 30 seconds or so. For color photographs you are better off connecting the computer to the printer directly. I did not test scanning over a wired connection but this will greatly benefit you if you have a fast wired connection (e.g. gigabit).
All in all I give this product five stars b/c it works as it is supposed to and it does it flawlessly. It is ont the print-server's fault that your network is slow and scanning speed sucks.
Finally, I did not have to talk with customer service so i cannot attest anything about them.
|
Server does not work as advertised!, April 17, 2008
By user
After many hours on the phone with Linksys, they finally admitted that the multifunction aspect of this server does not work. The server is supposed to allow print, scan and copy capabilities from all computers connected to the server. However the respresentative I spoke with at Linksys was not able to get these capabilities to work, or able to tell me how to get them to work, even after admitting that the printer I use is on the list of "supported" printers. Very disappointed with this purchase, and I will be returning it.
|
DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT, April 13, 2008
By user (USA)
I have spent numerous HOURS on tech support trying to get this product set up on my network. The setup CD does not "see" the print server. Changes to the print server settings make the web server on the print server crash. Tech support was run around after run around. I even returned the product once and got a new one from the store and had the same issues. I would love to have a wireless print server on my network but I have to finally admit that it won't be a linksys print server on my network. Remember the good ole days of Linksys? Great products, easy setup, and low price... well I am sad to say.... Ever since they have added the cisco label to their name, I think those days are long gone.
|
Page 1 2 3 4 of Total 4 Pages
|
|
| Copyright 2001-2008 WiFiReview.com |
|