D-Link Forums
The Graveyard - Products No Longer Supported => D-Link Storage => DNS-323 => Topic started by: perfectdark on January 02, 2010, 02:42:05 PM
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Hi
i followed the instructions, connected my usb printer, clicked add printer, saw the d-link dns-323_ip , installed the driver. But when i try to print anything i just get an error communicating with the printer. Anyone have this up and working
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No problems here using a Canon USB printer on mine. The biggest challenge for me was finding Windows 7 drivers for the printer! :D
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Start by deleting the printer from the computer and then proceed as follows ...
1 - Connect the printer directly to the computer and install the drivers - make sure it prints.
2 - Disconnect the printer from the computer and connect it to the DNS-323
3 - Go to the printer folder, right click the computer and select properties
4 - Select the ports tab and click add port and select local port, and click new port.
5 - For the port name enter \\<ip_address_of_your_DNS-323>\lp (where <ip_address_ of your_DNS-323> is of course, the ip address of your DNS-323) and click OK and close.
6 - Select the general tab and send a test page.
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Actually, I just browse to the LP on the D-Link while adding a printer. After Windows informs me that I don't have a driver, I go through the wizard and select Have Disk and navigate to the folder where I have the drivers.
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Actually, I just browse to the LP on the D-Link while adding a printer. After Windows informs me that I don't have a driver, I go through the wizard and select Have Disk and navigate to the folder where I have the drivers.
Let's put it this way - that doesn't always work - or at least, with the earlier firmware releases, it didn't - and since perfectdark is having trouble, it apparently still doesn't.
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Well, the jury is still out as to whether the other method will do any better. ;)
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Whilst I wouldn't describe it as guaranteed to work, over the past three years it's been proven to work in instances where your method has failed - feel free to use the search function if you'd like to know more.
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The method described by gunnerjohn ("browse to the LP on the D-Link") uses Lanman / Microsoft Printing printer resolution and won't work correctly unless the Lanman print server on the DNS-323 is up and working correctly. This is a SAMBA function on the DNS-323. (Knowing that doesn't help much since there is nothing you can configure in the DNS's web interface.)
The method described by fordem ("add port - using IP address") uses so-called "IP Printing" and a different set of IP ports than the Lanman method. It is more likely to work with a wider variety of devices.
Once either method is set up and working they are pretty much equally transparent to the user of the computer, but the underlying network activities are different.
BTW may I emphasize the importance of fordem's step #1. If the printer does not work correctly when connected to the PC, you have *no hope* of getting network printing to work.
Also, some printers use the host computer's CPU to do the page composition and RIPping to bitmap. These printers typically will not work over a network link. You can check lists such as this one
http://www.dlink.com/products/default.aspx?pid=DPR-1260&tab=3
or this one
http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1093
to see whether your printer appears. If it does not appear on these lists (or other such lists for network print server products) then it likely won't work with the DNS-323.
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I'll try Fordem's method tonight.
And yes my printer was working fine on my windows 7 PC. Just can't get it to work with the dns-323. Googled this issue and found quite a few users who have had problems or have reported certain printers dont work.
I;ll update this tomorrow
thanks to all
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The method described by gunnerjohn ("browse to the LP on the D-Link") uses Lanman / Microsoft Printing printer resolution and won't work correctly unless the Lanman print server on the DNS-323 is up and working correctly. This is a SAMBA function on the DNS-323. (Knowing that doesn't help much since there is nothing you can configure in the DNS's web interface.)
I'm curious why the print server would be different for folks running the same versions of firmware. This worked for me with 1.06, 1.07, and the 1.08 beta versions so far. I've installed this box in two client locations and used the print server function as well. I used the same method of connecting the drives.
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tried it and still doesn't work.. Is there a compatibility issue with the DNS-323 print server and some older printers? My printer is about 4 years old?
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There definitely is - a number of the older printers used the Windows GDI rather than an internal rasterization engine, and these typically will not work with any print server, although there are exceptions to that rule.
There are also some printers with quirks (the HP1018 comes to mind) where the firmware has to be loaded before the first print job is sent - this can be done with the DNS-323 - there are instructions elsewhere on the internet.
There may also be driver issues - some of the early HP "all-in-ones" will not work with the original drivers, but may work if later drivers are used - one example is the PSC1210, which works if the drivers for one of the later models (I don't recall but it may have been the PSC2210) is used.
By the way - these remarks also apply equally to other print servers - it's not the DNS-323 print server that is the issue, but more of of how the printer communicates with the host.
The D-Link UK website has a "shareport" application for the DNS-323, and a matching utility to run on the PC which may resolve your problem - shareport supposedly changes it from a printserver to a remote USB port.
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I tried numerous different things and still couldn't get it to work
My printer is a Lexmark 1100x series 3-in-1
any other suggestions
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I suspect this may be a GDI printer which requires a direct connection to a computer as much of the printer "logic" is contained in the drivers.
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Hi perfectdark...
No doubt gunrunnerjohn & fordem have it right. The Lexmark 1100x Series all-in-one seems to require communication with the Lexmark host software in order to accomplish a function (any function). Strangely, even for making a copy - the computer needs to be turned on and talking with the All-in-One (why Lexmark chose to do this, I cannot imagine). Page 25 in the user guide mentions this.
That one comment spells trouble for connecting to the NAS. I doubt the DNS-323 (or any NAS) has the capability to act as a go-between for a vendor specific package. If the Lexmark is looking for your computer on the USB connection - it's not going to find it. You are pretty much limited to connecting directly to the computer. There are print servers out there that specifically handle All-in-Ones - but even that is hit or miss. If it's not on a compatibility list, you could be out of luck.
Fordem's suggestion about "shareport" is worth a try - it might be your only option. You've got nothing to lose (except some time ;D).
Wish I had a more positive message - but it is what it is... :-\
-DocD
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thanks guys, i tried thatb shareport but no go.
Iguess when i run out of ink i'll just but a new printer (same price as ink and it comes with ink)
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I'd make sure you pick one that is known to work on USB print servers. Actually, you might check back here and find out what models other folks are running successfully. :)
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I would just like to report for the benefit of other members that, after considerable trouble, I managed to make the dns-323 work as a print server for my old but still excellent Canon MP800 printer (of course only for the printing side of this multifunctional), thus enabling four users in our home to print from their desks. The step was taken only when an extra print-server that I owned before acquiring the NAS suddenly died on us.
I should have checked this forum *before* starting, because the attempt to follow the regular Add Printer route resulted in data being written to the hard disk in the NAS that then had to be removed by reformatting the hard disks, as suggested by Fordem as a last resort, in reply to a similar question elsewhere on this forum.
So, having reformatted the hard disks on the DNS-323, I followed fordem's steps 6 steps (actually 7 steps, if you add the line on top about first deleting the printer from the computer) and was successful.
Thank you so much!
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I just stumbled across this thread. I have also an 3-in-1 printer here (Epson PX710W) and some experiences with a Canon IP4000.
The IP4000 worked well when connected to the DSN-323 (and my AVM Fritz!Box routers); I couldn't check the ink levels tough (bidirectional communications aren't supported).
It worked either with the "long" installation (USB connection -> print server connecting -> add port in driver setup) or the "short" way ("Add printer -> Network printer -> NAS's / router's IP, Port 9000).
The Epson PX710W and alot of other multifunction printers will *not* work in "stand-alone printer only" mode because they connect to PC as a hybrid device (regardless of the connection type, USB, LAN or WLAN) and build up a bidirectional communication. Most network print servers can't handle this correctly (e.g. SAMBA based servers).
But - they *might* work with the SharePort utility on DSN-323 and similar solutions for other NASes or routers but you have to activate and connect *all* devices of the printer for the USB-over-Ethernet mode.
Some USB-over-IP solutions won't support more than one connection at once so "another door is closed".
Basically, it's a "try and error or success" but I can confirm the Shareport Utility is worth a try.
//HSishi