How Do I Print to an Airport-Connected Printer?

[John Howard]

I know I posted this once before but here goes
Bonjour for Windows is the pits for a non-PS printer.
This is the approved method
In Windows, install drivers for MFC-4800


Therein lies the problem. I downloaded the MFC-4800 Windows drivers from the Brother website and tried to install them in my WinXP Pro VM. But when it got to the point where it asked me to choose which kind of connection I had (either "USB" or "parallel), the installation choked - meaning it would not let me go any further. I could only go backward and/or close the installer.)

Apparently the fact that my MFC-4800 is connected via USB to the Airport Extreme - as opposed to the computer itself - does not constitute a "USB" connection as far as the Brother drivers are concerned.

 

[drval]

I know I posted this once before but here goes
Bonjour for Windows is the pits for a non-PS printer.
This is the approved method
In Windows, install drivers for MFC-4800


Therein lies the problem. I downloaded the MFC-4800 Windows drivers from the Brother website and tried to install them in my WinXP Pro VM. But when it got to the point where it asked me to choose which kind of connection I had (either "USB" or "parallel), the installation choked - meaning it would not let me go any further. I could only go backward and/or close the installer.)

Apparently the fact that my MFC-4800 is connected via USB to the Airport Extreme - as opposed to the computer itself - does not constitute a "USB" connection as far as the Brother drivers are concerned.

I would say so and that such a connection is probably seen as a "network" connection of some kind, not USB. In the wonderful world of Windows a USB connection almost always means a direct, physical connection to the hardware OF the computer itself.

 

[nycruza]

Apparently the fact that my MFC-4800 is connected via USB to the Airport Extreme - as opposed to the computer itself - does not constitute a "USB" connection as far as the Brother drivers are concerned.

Actually, it is NOT the drivers, it is Microsoft Windows!

If you follow the instructions, you will find AFTER the printer is installed that windows sees the port as a VIRTUAL USB port.

Hope the routine works for you.

ajm

 

[John Howard]

Hooray - Problem Solved!

For whatever reason, the original driver download didn't "take" properly. So I re-downloaded, then installed as a local printer.

Aftr that, when asked to pick the port, thanks to Bonjour, the Airport was already listed as a port option. So I selected the Airport port, then ran a test page, then went into MS Word and printed a "real" document!

We're good to go! Thanks to all who weighed in!

 

[Eru Ithildur]

Shared Networking does just what it says... It takes the OS X connection and 'shares' it... Similar, but not exactly the same, as what a router will do.

Bridged Networking allows Windows to have an entire configuration of its own... Sortof like a Gateway.

I use Bridged Networking in our office, it simplifies the issues with ports dramatically, it also allows me to create specific rules for the Windows sides on the server level with ease.