Ethernet printer connection problem

[Brian1000]

Hello,

I have a wired local Ethernet printer connected to a computer with windows 7 Ultimate x64. If the printer is turned off when I restart the computer the printer is no longer available (not in focus). To make the printer available I can do one of two things: restart the computer with the printer on or run the printer troubleshooter (I think it restarts the local adapter connection?). Is there a setting that will make the computer recognize the connection automatically when the printer is turned on? This computer is also connected to a wireless network through another Ethernet adapter.
Thanks for the help,
Brian

 

[2xg]

Welcome to SF,

Just need a little clarification regarding this. How is the printer wired and where to? If the printer has a network adapter it shd be connected to the Router or a Switch.

I have a wired local Ethernet printer connected to a computer with windows 7 Ultimate x64.

Make sure that the printer has a Static IP assigned. Looks like it might be causing an IP conflict to your network.

 

[richnrockville]

Welcome Brian1000 to the Windows 7 forums.

a couple of questions.
1. What is the make and model of the printer?
2. when you say it is connected to your computer, do you mean by usb and it is also via a network cable?
3. Is it setup as a static IP?
4. What software do you run when you say "run the printer troubleshooter?"

Rich

 

[Brian1000]

Thanks for the replys.

My computer has two ethernet adapter cards, one is wired to a wireless router (home network) and the other is wired to a Epson 3880 printer (this is the printer that I am having trouble with).

I set up a static IP for the printer, using the IP that a ipconfig /all comand gave me. The printer has a Auto IP assignment but that didn't work.

The troubleshooter is Windows 7 from the Device and Printers page.

Thanks again.

 

[richnrockville]

Brian, What you have is a really complicated arrangement for the printer. Why not connect the printer directly to the router via the ethernet connection? Or via USB if it is that close to be cabled to your computer.

I would recommend that you plug the printer into your router and let it pick up an IP directory from the DHCP server on your router. Otherwise set the printer up with either USB or printer cable. The two ethernet cards is a really unusual configuration.

Other than that, If it all works if you turn the printer on first and then your computer. That would be the recommended solution if you don't want to plug the printer into the router..

Rich

 

[2xg]

Totally agree.

What you have is a really complicated arrangement for the printer. Why not connect the printer directly to the router via the ethernet connection?

Never seen this type of setup before, sorry.

My computer has two ethernet adapter cards, one is wired to a wireless router (home network) and the other is wired to a Epson 3880 printer (this is the printer that I am having trouble with).

We guarantee you that your issue will be resolved if you plug in directly the network cable from your printer to your router or a switch.

Please let us know.

 

[Brian1000]

Thank-you.

Thanks for the help. Everything is fine now that I have abandoned the second Ethernet adapter and wired my printer directly to the wireless network router. Should have probably done this earlier but I thought I could get the other method to work. This is a good forum!

Brian

 

[wilywombat]

Totally agree with the solution. For info, normally, the only time you would need 2 network cards in a PC would be to use it as a "Bastion" server which would be acting as a firewall from one network to another.