Solved USB to Ethernet for printer?

metaguy

metaguy

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USB jack on laser printer got damaged. Labor to replace it is expensive. Printer also has an Ethernet jack, Can I use a USB to Ethernet cable without having to create a network? Thanks.
 

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metaguy said:
USB jack on laser printer got damaged. Labor to replace it is expensive. Printer also has an Ethernet jack, Can I use a USB to Ethernet cable without having to create a network? Thanks.
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I don't know any way to covert the Ethernet jack to support USB.

How close is your printer to your modem/router? Can you run an Ethernet cable to your router?

If that is not possible then you might consider a Wi-Fi to Ethernet adapter. The adapter makes a wireless connection to your router then you connect the printer to the adapter with an Ethernet cable.
 

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Had to give this one some thought. Essentially you have a client to client (printer to USB device) setup without DHCP handing out IP addresses. Reading here you should be able to do this.

This would be the USB to Ethernet adapter I'd buy (UE300) for two reasons: 1) It uses a Realtek chipset and 2) It apparently (with my research) has auto sensing crossover ability which may be important in an apparent client to client setup like this. You'll need the driver for Windows 7. Download for UE300 | TP-Link

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=UE300&_sacat=0&_sop=15

Side note and nerdy Info:

Machine Identification Code - Wikipedia

App Masks Hidden Printer Tracking Dots to Keep Whistleblowers Safe

Do Printers Leave Identifying Marks? | Small Business - Chron.com
 

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A USB to Ethernet adapter might work to connect the printer. I don't know. Better yet would be to connect the printer to a router directly if possible.
 

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I can't tell you how much i appreciate your help.

It was strange - the little black piece in the middle of the printer's USB jack must have broken off, hence my question.
Tuesday I'll have a RJ45 coupler for 2 cables and go printer to router. Stand by.
 

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Router and printer connected via RJ45. Stupid here. Now what? How do they talk to each other?
 

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Intel i5-2520M CPU 2.50 Ghz
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Intel(R) HD Graphics 3000
Sound Card
Intel(R) Display Audio
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Samsung 32" and Dell 23"
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Hitachi HTS545032B9A300
Fantom G-Force 2GB
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You have a choice of what to do next. You can either set up the printer using the Control Panel or use the setup program for your printer.

The following is setting up the printer using the Control Panel

  1. Make sure the printer is turned on.
  2. Click on Start
  3. Open Control Panel
  4. Select Hardware and Sound
  5. Under Devices and Printers select Add a printer
  6. Select Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer
  7. Select your printer when it shows up in available printers (might take a few seconds)
  8. Select Next button
  9. Continue with setup until finished. (I don't have a Ethernet connected printer so I can't say what is next)

 

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    Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 (AM3+)
    Memory
    GSKILL Ripjaw-X PC3 12800 8GB (2x4GB)
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    ASUS ROG STRIX GTX 1060 6GB
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    Integrated
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    Asus VE228H (21.5-in)
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    1920x1080 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG 870 EVO 2.5 Inch SATA SSD (1TB)
    SAMSUNG 870 EVO 2.5 Inch SATA SSD (1TB)
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    Logitech M510 Wireless Mouse
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    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N82 Deluxe
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    Corsair XMS2 DDR2-800 8GB (4x2GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ENGTX560 DCII OC/2DI/1GD5 1GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 930B 19-inch LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 870 EVO 1000 GB (Windows 10)
    Seagate ST1000DM003 1000 GB (Windows 7)
    PSU
    Antec TruePower (new) TP-650
    Case
    Antec Three Hundred
    Cooling
    AMD stock cooler from FX8350
    Mouse
    Logitech M100
    Internet Speed
    Xfinity Gigabit Extra 1200/35 Mbps
Your printer has to be part of the network before Windows will see it. Part A is connecting the printer to your network, and we're not sure you've done that yet. Once it's got an IP address on your network, then Part B is adding it to Windows.

After connecting the ethernet cable, the printer has to be given an IP address consistent with your network. Some printers are set to default to a DHCP connection (i.e., the router will issue it an IP address), while others need to be configured by user settings in the printer's control panel options (if the printer even has a control panel -- some don't).

It's also likely there is (or was) a printer installation program that would take care of sniffing out the network and getting the printer connected to the network for you, though I tend to avoid those kind of programs if possible because they often add a lot of extraneous cruft and bloat, as well.

You haven't stated the printer's model number, but if you were to look up the manufacturer's installation guide, it would probably give you step-by-step instructions.
 

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In a world in which getting assistance is ever harder, I'm grateful to you at Seven Forums for making my computing life easier and enjoyable. The Add a Printer handled everything. You both made my day.
 

My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell E6420 Laptop 64 bit
OS
Win 7 Ultimate
CPU
Intel i5-2520M CPU 2.50 Ghz
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8 GB
Graphics Card(s)
Intel(R) HD Graphics 3000
Sound Card
Intel(R) Display Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung 32" and Dell 23"
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080 and 1366 x 768
Hard Drives
Hitachi HTS545032B9A300
Fantom G-Force 2GB
Antivirus
Bitdefender
Browser
Firefox, primary
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