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[momcat1]

After spending quite a bit of time installing configuring and testing, I got Shareport working correctly with my Kodak AIO 5500, on the first machine. This was the computer that the AIO used to be directly connected to. But I'm having a hard time with the second computer. Shareport acknowledges the connection, and when I send a test print the printer responds by displaying 'printing' on its display, but then after a time the job fails with a pop-up from Kodak saying the printer is not connected.

Several reboots later, I tried again to print from the second computer. The first time I tried, there was a delay, followed by a comm error from Kodak, followed by the test page actually printing. I tried a second time got the delay, got the comm error, then nothing. So it's close, but no cigar. The suggestion from Shareport software says to delete the printer driver and re-add it, but that's not really doable with Kodak drivers. They won't let you download just the driver files, without getting one of the software in addition. And since I can't easily connect the printer to the second computer by USB, their software won't complete installation.

Both computer are running XP SP3, all updates installed. Shareport version is 1.14, the latest available. I did also check into tweaking the port configuration for the virtual port, but both machines said the port was not configurable. I was thinking that the timeout might be too tight, causing the comm error.

Since my secondary reason for buying this router was to be able to print over the network, I'm somewhat dissatisfied at this point. I did several hours of searching prior to buying to see if there was a printer compatibility list, and never found one.  I would like to see this through to full functionality, rather than change out the router, because otherwise it works great.

Anyone have any good suggestions, or have you been in this situation?

[tipstir]

Did you just install the driver for this printer on the PCs you want to use it with it. Then install the Sharepoint software on each PC on your nework that's what I did with HP MFP  color scanner/copier/printer and two HP color deskjet goes though USB2.0 4-port hub. I was thinking on using 7-port USB2.0 hub with AC power with it.

1. copy the CD for your printer to your computer HDD or other network PC share
2. install sharepoint software on the PC
3. connect printer to your DLINK either with or without USB2.0 4-port Hub
4. turn on the printer
5. sharepoint should see the printer
6. point to the location for where you copy the printer CD drivers to
7. install the drivers only
8. test printer

[momcat1]

Essentially, I did follow the process you used, but since Kodak likes to hide driver files (i.e., you can't just download those without the Kodak printer environment files, the download link is just a stub) when you run the stub, their GUI takes over and does what it wants. As stated yesterday, you can't just install the drivers alone or copy them. Also their process will not complete if I don't attach the printer directly to the second computer.

FYI, now the Shareport connection does not work for either one of them. I have already uninstalled, cleaned registry, reinstalled twice. So that I could actually use the printer until this all gets sorted out, I had to reinstall the printer connected directly to one computer.

I already spent all of Sunday with both computers not being used while I went back and forth with this.

[momcat1]

Darn it! Now I can't use the printer direct connected properly either! It's gonna be another night or two repairing and reinstalling the printer software because of what Shareport left behind, even after uninstalling it and running RegClean. Now that's just plain unfair.

[EddieZ]

Shareport didn't do anything to your printer drivers or software. It's just an interface interacting with the driver and the router....

[momcat1]

Shareport messed with the configuration of the Virtual USB port, that it needed, which was the same port the printer previously used prior to installing Shareport. After uninstalling Shareport, the settings were left in that state, unusable until everything from Kodak was reinstalled.

[EddieZ]

Don't you hate it when manufacturers (Kodak) mess with these things...

[momcat1]

I also hate it when manufacturers (Dlink) promise something and don't deliver. Like maybe test it on a printer other than the one on the developer's desktop. I know Kodak is not the only one out there that does proprietary stuff with the drivers.

[EddieZ]

I also hate it when manufacturers (Dlink) promise something and don't deliver. Like maybe test it on a printer other than the one on the developer's desktop. I know Kodak is not the only one out there that does proprietary stuff with the drivers.

This is what I would call tunnel vision. Kodak is using non-standard driver techniques, so that's Dlink's fault? But everybody is entitled to their PoV...

[tipstir]

I also hate it when manufacturers (Dlink) promise something and don't deliver. Like maybe test it on a printer other than the one on the developer's desktop. I know Kodak is not the only one out there that does proprietary stuff with the drivers.

On the CD there should be a folder for drivers (XP) Vista etc.. Do you see one?

[momcat1]

Actually, I do not. I know I'm looking for the .ini's. They have done a pretty fair job at hiding stuff, especially inside files with proprietary file extensions. Most of the folders are full of .cab's.

I did do a thorough search of the CD and got the manifest file open. That referred me to the location on my hard drive where the .ini's reside now. Maybe when I can work on the other computer tomorrow I can put those on CD and see if that does anything.

[tipstir]

For HP I just dragged off the CD to the HDD well if you got a Server in the house you can do that or external HDD would work. Then point to that folder only. You're not installing everything for the printer. Just want to be able to print from it. I did see I was able to scan from any wired or wireless printer also.

[momcat1]

OK, problem solved! Thanks all for your feedback.

A couple of notes, in case someone tries this with other printers whose manufacturers like to hide things like the driver files.
1) Make sure the printer is fully installed on each computer you intend to use Shareport with, before installing Shareport.

2) If your driver files are not easily locatable on your printer's CD, find them on your hard drive, and burn them to a CD, download them from the manufacturer if you can. It's all well and good that since you're networked, you should be able to port them to the other hard drive, but Shareport only recognizes them if they are on a CD. It won't allow you to browse your hard drive for the folder where the files reside.

3) Don't use a USB extension cable, unless you've already tested for full functionality of bi-directional communication with the printer. Direct connect it to the printer before you mess with Shareport and test it. If it doesn't work there, it's not going to work with Shareport either.

FYI, I read several posts about how slow Shareport performs. That is not the case with my Kodak All In One. And the scanning works, too!