Printing over WiFi
A couple of days back I switched on my ols computer again and.... it died. Along with it a few other components in my network died: one swith completely broke down and another lost a few ports. Those parts have already been replaced.
The last issue that I am aware of at this point are repated to my printer, an Epson PW700X all in one. It has lost its capability to print over (wired) LAN at the same time, but its wifi is still operational. My wife still manages to get prints off the thing using her laptoip and my andoid phone does so too,
The problem is that both my laptop and my sons don't.
My sons lapton runs Win 8.1 x64. My wifes laptop and mine run Win 7 x64. All three run the same Panda Internet security software, incl. firewall.
There has been no issue at all while the printer was operating on wired LAN. It is set to manual IP configuration for WiFi, the same settings at it had in its wired days: 192.168.33.222 / 255.255.255.0, gateway 192.168.33.1 (=Fritz!box 7390).
I've done some experimenting on my laptop: removed all Epson software, downloaded the latest (for x64) and installed it. No firewall warnings/blocks, the test page printed perfectly and the inserted SD card could easily be read. A 1st printjob from MS Office caused no problem either.
The next day however, the printer "could no be reached" and the mapping to the SD card could not be reestablished. I have not been able to fix the issue.
Any thoughts?
The last issue that I am aware of at this point are repated to my printer, an Epson PW700X all in one. It has lost its capability to print over (wired) LAN at the same time, but its wifi is still operational. My wife still manages to get prints off the thing using her laptoip and my andoid phone does so too,
The problem is that both my laptop and my sons don't.
My sons lapton runs Win 8.1 x64. My wifes laptop and mine run Win 7 x64. All three run the same Panda Internet security software, incl. firewall.
There has been no issue at all while the printer was operating on wired LAN. It is set to manual IP configuration for WiFi, the same settings at it had in its wired days: 192.168.33.222 / 255.255.255.0, gateway 192.168.33.1 (=Fritz!box 7390).
I've done some experimenting on my laptop: removed all Epson software, downloaded the latest (for x64) and installed it. No firewall warnings/blocks, the test page printed perfectly and the inserted SD card could easily be read. A 1st printjob from MS Office caused no problem either.
The next day however, the printer "could no be reached" and the mapping to the SD card could not be reestablished. I have not been able to fix the issue.
Any thoughts?
check also that the power to the device has not been cut, to save power
you can verify this from control panel - power settings
you can verify this from control panel - power settings
ASKER
@hdhondt:
All PC's have IP adresses handed out by DHCP: 192.168.33.x (these appear quite static due to the modem/router).
Will try ping later on; not sure if it ever responded to that before though. Will use both my and my wifes PCs for that.
I find your remark regarding a new TCP/IP port for the driver very interesting. Could you please elaborate some?
@nobus:
The thought of power save had crossed my mind. I'm I right that if my wifes PC has no issue waking up the printer, that this should not be an issue after a fresh install of the laters driver?
All PC's have IP adresses handed out by DHCP: 192.168.33.x (these appear quite static due to the modem/router).
Will try ping later on; not sure if it ever responded to that before though. Will use both my and my wifes PCs for that.
I find your remark regarding a new TCP/IP port for the driver very interesting. Could you please elaborate some?
@nobus:
The thought of power save had crossed my mind. I'm I right that if my wifes PC has no issue waking up the printer, that this should not be an issue after a fresh install of the laters driver?
it has nothing to do with drivers normally; but it does not hurt to check
If the printer's IP address is on the same subnet as the PCs (192.168.33.x) then it should work fine.
ASKER
Sorry to keep you all waiting.... a lot has happened, but I'm still looking for a solution.
Yes, all devices (PC's and printers) share the 192.168.33.x IP range.
I have installed a brand new PC on Win 8.1 and Panda: ping to the printer appears ok there. Printing itself as well.
On my laptop I have removed Panda all together (virusscanner and firewall), rebooted, enabled Windows firewall and enabled (and allowed) all file- and printer sharing (echo) requests: both in- and outbound, both IPv4 and IPv6.
Ping still raises time-out errors! I guess hdhondt is on the right track. I can't figure out what would still block the requests though.
Any thoughts?
Yes, all devices (PC's and printers) share the 192.168.33.x IP range.
I have installed a brand new PC on Win 8.1 and Panda: ping to the printer appears ok there. Printing itself as well.
On my laptop I have removed Panda all together (virusscanner and firewall), rebooted, enabled Windows firewall and enabled (and allowed) all file- and printer sharing (echo) requests: both in- and outbound, both IPv4 and IPv6.
Ping still raises time-out errors! I guess hdhondt is on the right track. I can't figure out what would still block the requests though.
Any thoughts?
ASKER
More info:
My wife's laptop CAN print, but also raises a time-out on ping.
:-(
My wife's laptop CAN print, but also raises a time-out on ping.
:-(
If ping times out on a local network, it sounds as if you are having network problems.
It could be that the WiFi signal is weak at the printer's location. And PCs are much more forgiving about WiFi signals strength than printers. It's the main reason why I recommend using wired network connections with printers. After all, they do not need to move around (usually).
It could be that the WiFi signal is weak at the printer's location. And PCs are much more forgiving about WiFi signals strength than printers. It's the main reason why I recommend using wired network connections with printers. After all, they do not need to move around (usually).
If I'm right, moving the printer close to the router should resolve the problems. Then you can try to find some suitable location for permanent installation. Of course, as the wired connection is not working either, this could imply that the problem is in the printer's network card.
ASKER
It's the main reason why I recommend using wired network connections with printers.I agree, but as I wrote before: something happened on the wired LAN which caused me to loose switches and the printer's LAN port.
So now now I have this single printer (same device, but wifi) and a couple of PC's, all in the same network, connected to the same wifi/router.
I have placed two laptops close by each other. Both have a good connection. The printer has a fixed position and good connection.
1st laptop (wife): time-out
2nd laptop (mine): time-out
1st laptop (wife): prints ok
2nd laptop (mine): does not print (printer should be awake and connected)
A fixed PC (wired) does ping ok and does print.
At this point, I don't trust my laptop. I have removed Panda, rebooted and activated Windows firewall (default settings) -> no success.
Enabled everything related to ping -> can't get ping to work (while the fixed PC does!)
Disabled Windows firewall -> still no ping.
Is there a way to tell (detect) wich application (if any) still acts as a firewall?
look in event viewer for warnings , or errors
ASKER
Seen some errors and warnings, but nothing that seemed vaguely related to this issue.
However, there seems to be some progress:
Under "Network" in explorer, my laptop somehow became aware or the presence of a multifunctional device (my printer name), a printer (dito) asnd a scanner (dito).
It wasn't there yet under Devices and printers, so I clicked "add new printer". The expected printer showed up, raised an error, but at a 2nd attempt it seemed to work. Driver was (of course) downloaded from Windows update.
I even managed to print something!
Will give it another night to see if it'll stick around this time.
However, there seems to be some progress:
Under "Network" in explorer, my laptop somehow became aware or the presence of a multifunctional device (my printer name), a printer (dito) asnd a scanner (dito).
It wasn't there yet under Devices and printers, so I clicked "add new printer". The expected printer showed up, raised an error, but at a 2nd attempt it seemed to work. Driver was (of course) downloaded from Windows update.
I even managed to print something!
Will give it another night to see if it'll stick around this time.
ASKER
Once again: it doesn't print. Not visible under network either.
No problem on other devices.
No problem on other devices.
it looks like the wifi has a problem
i would start by looking in device manager if it is installed without error
then update the driver
if still problems, replace the wi-fi card - it may have taken a hit by your previous problems
i would start by looking in device manager if it is installed without error
then update the driver
if still problems, replace the wi-fi card - it may have taken a hit by your previous problems
ASKER
Drivers were up-to-date and I.M.O. it makes no sense: if wifi has a problem, then why is there no problem connecting to internet or other PC's over the very same wifi?
I've chosen the more extreme way to solve my issue: a restore to factory settings.
The most important stuff is reinstalled now (incl. over 200 Windows updates, Panda internet Security and the Epson drivers) and things still look ok after 3 days.
I've chosen the more extreme way to solve my issue: a restore to factory settings.
The most important stuff is reinstalled now (incl. over 200 Windows updates, Panda internet Security and the Epson drivers) and things still look ok after 3 days.
glad to hear it's running again
as for your Q "if wifi has a problem, then why is there no problem connecting to internet or other PC's over the very same wifi?" that is only possible to answer after the problem has been found
don't forget to close this Q ! unless you need more help
as for your Q "if wifi has a problem, then why is there no problem connecting to internet or other PC's over the very same wifi?" that is only possible to answer after the problem has been found
don't forget to close this Q ! unless you need more help
ASKER
Ehhh... I hate to say: I think the problem is back.
I wish I hadn't rushed to reinstall everything. I'm still not sure what caused it.
And worse: there seems to be some kind of a lag that was there earlier as well: one day it's fine, the next day it fails to connect.
I'm not ready to close the question just yet! ;-)
I wish I hadn't rushed to reinstall everything. I'm still not sure what caused it.
And worse: there seems to be some kind of a lag that was there earlier as well: one day it's fine, the next day it fails to connect.
I'm not ready to close the question just yet! ;-)
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
That's right!
There were (again) some errors, but they point in the direction of the VAIO Care (VCAgent.exe; uncaught exception)
I reverted back to factory settings once more, recording when parts are (un)installed or updated. All windows- and VAIO updates have been processed. No other changes (as Panda or Epson) were applied and still that error occurred.
The printer responds to http requests and ping.
Then I removed the McAfee Internet security software and Norton online backup. After reboot http and ping still ok.
Installed Panda IS and got it up-to-date. After reboot still ok.
Removed Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements (trials). After reboot still ok.
Removed MS Office 10 (trial). After reboot http and ping still ok.
I will install the Epson printer software shortly and continue tomorrow.
At that point I may be interested in a good way to record all the processes running after rebooting as eventually I will be installing stuff like Flash player and IMGBurn, that will try to add all sorts of rubbish like Ask toolbar with (or without ?) asking for my permission.
Is there tool that you could recommend? Screendumping the taskmanager (processes) would be my best attempt.
There were (again) some errors, but they point in the direction of the VAIO Care (VCAgent.exe; uncaught exception)
I reverted back to factory settings once more, recording when parts are (un)installed or updated. All windows- and VAIO updates have been processed. No other changes (as Panda or Epson) were applied and still that error occurred.
The printer responds to http requests and ping.
Then I removed the McAfee Internet security software and Norton online backup. After reboot http and ping still ok.
Installed Panda IS and got it up-to-date. After reboot still ok.
Removed Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements (trials). After reboot still ok.
Removed MS Office 10 (trial). After reboot http and ping still ok.
I will install the Epson printer software shortly and continue tomorrow.
At that point I may be interested in a good way to record all the processes running after rebooting as eventually I will be installing stuff like Flash player and IMGBurn, that will try to add all sorts of rubbish like Ask toolbar with (or without ?) asking for my permission.
Is there tool that you could recommend? Screendumping the taskmanager (processes) would be my best attempt.
process monitor is known for this : http://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx
ASKER
Thanks, sounds good! Will put it to use first thing tonight!
(you're in B? I'm in NL)
(you're in B? I'm in NL)
right - i'm from Brasschaat
ASKER
Brasschaat? I must have driven by dozens of times on my way to Antwerpen, Wilrijk, Herentals...
I'm from Den Haag.
The tools is impressive: way too much detail. Escpecially since it keeps logging. A great check on how active a virusscanner actuallycan be! But actually I was hoping to get some kind of a snapshot it time to see what's running now and what's running once things have gone bad again.
At this point I've got most up and running and things still appear ok. Just a couple more things for the next few days (I don't want to rush things this time, rebooting and waiting after virtually every change). Will report back tomorrow.
I'm from Den Haag.
The tools is impressive: way too much detail. Escpecially since it keeps logging. A great check on how active a virusscanner actuallycan be! But actually I was hoping to get some kind of a snapshot it time to see what's running now and what's running once things have gone bad again.
At this point I've got most up and running and things still appear ok. Just a couple more things for the next few days (I don't want to rush things this time, rebooting and waiting after virtually every change). Will report back tomorrow.
ok - take your time
ASKER
Nearly completed. Ping, web interface and connection to the printers cardreader still ok. Printing too of course.
let's hope it's solved, and stays so
thanks CRak , happy to help
Can you ping the printer from a PC? What are the PCs' WiFi IP addresses? From a DOS prompt, type IPCONFIG /ALL to check. Then give the printer an IP address in the same range. Next, create a new TCP/IP port for the driver with that IP address.