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ScotHamedia · May 20, 2004, 08:34 PM

I am trying to get a printer set up for a client, it is the HP 4050 USB one, anyone have experience with this, I need to get it networkable, as in I need many machines to print to it.

It works now plugged in via USB, but I want to plug it into the network and allow everyone to get to it.

Is there a way to upgrade this model to the "N" so it has ethernet, is there perhaps a USB to ethernet print server I can use?

Please, only those with first hand experience with this printer.

Thanks.

tooki · May 21, 2004, 03:11 AM

I don't have firsthand experience with the 4050, but it doesn't matter: I've used the 4000 series, and HP hasn't actually changed much even up to now -- they use the same network cards.

In any case, the best way to add networking is with an internal JetDirect 600-series card: that does turn it into the "n" version. Several cards are available, for various kinds of ethernet, and older/more obscure network types, but most likely, the Jetdirect 620n is what you want. It's a $350 card from HP, but you can probably find one much cheaper on eBay or elsewhere.

tooki

typoon · May 21, 2004, 10:45 AM

Originally posted by tooki:
I don't have firsthand experience with the 4050, but it doesn't matter: I've used the 4000 series, and HP hasn't actually changed much even up to now -- they use the same network cards.

In any case, the best way to add networking is with an internal JetDirect 600-series card: that does turn it into the "n" version. Several cards are available, for various kinds of ethernet, and older/more obscure network types, but most likely, the Jetdirect 620n is what you want. It's a $350 card from HP, but you can probably find one much cheaper on eBay or elsewhere.

tooki

Either that or you can get a regular Jet Direct. Like the 175x. It's a bit less expensive than the JD600 I believe.

ScotHamedia · May 21, 2004, 07:17 PM

Ok, but this is a USB only printer, if I were to get the 175x series, I assume those have a USB port on them and also a ethernet port?

Davidarm · May 21, 2004, 07:37 PM

I second Tooki on this one. The internal JetDirect is far more reliable and faster than any of the external solutions. The 620n is the latest model, but any of the 600 series will work and you can probably get a 600 or 610 very cheaply by scrounging around. I get them for $10 at our university's surplus center.

tooki · May 22, 2004, 01:44 PM

Originally posted by typoon:
Either that or you can get a regular Jet Direct. Like the 175x. It's a bit less expensive than the JD600 I believe.

I would argue that the internal JetDirect is the "regular" kind, as they are VASTLY more widespread, and integrate with the printer (which the external ones do not do), and they take up less space, and they don't need an AC adapter. External print servers, regardless of vendor, are less reliable (harder to get them working) and they're not much less expensive (about 25%) new. I don't think it's worth it to save a few bucks.

Get a JD600-series internal model, you'll be a lot happer with it, and as Davidarm said, they're readily available used for VERY cheap.

Besides, no, the JD170 series does not have USB. They're parallel print servers.

And ScottHaneda: it wouldn't have hurt you to do a little research on your own -- shouldn't your client be paying us for doing all the legwork?

tooki

ScotHamedia · May 23, 2004, 09:23 PM

Originally posted by tooki:

And ScottHaneda: it wouldn't have hurt you to do a little research on your own -- shouldn't your client be paying us for doing all the legwork?

tooki [/B]

I did do research, there is one problem, this is the only Mac USB printer that I know of that HP ever made. It is specifically deemed "no longer supported". All my searches for data on it yield places to buy toner. The HP support pages do not show any data about the printer at all. I would be very interested in someone pointing me to a tech specs page on HP's site for this USB mac printer. I am still not convinced, that since it is a special USB mac printer that it even has a internal slot in it to accept the ethernet card. This is why I asked for first hand experience on this matter.

I know any other HP printer can do this no trouble at all, this one stands out alone from all those others.

I dont have physical access to the printer, it is built into a desk and is a lot of trouble to remove it from that desk to even visually see if such a port exists, which is why I was asking.

tooki · May 24, 2004, 01:36 AM

The LJ 4050 USB-Mac printer is still listed as part of the LJ 4050 family, and is not singled out. The specs page for the 4050 family lists two EIO slots for networking.

I know that the info on old models is slightly buried, but it's all there: HP.com-> Printing & Multifunction-> Black and White LaserJet printers-> Discontinued Products for Black and White LaserJet printers-> HP LaserJet 4050 printer series. That page lists all the members of the series, and has links to all the tech support pages (which include specs, all the manuals, parts lists, etc), and to the page with all the available accessories for that printer.

tooki