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I've got a huge A3 printer. Due to USB cable lengths it has to go under my desk. It's too big and heavy to go on the desk, and it's always in the way and getting kicked etc. I've already broken the paper tray.
I've got a little alcove where it could perfectly fit, at normal operating height, and be out of the way. However, it's about seven metres away from my PC. Well, when I say PC I mean laptop, but no, I can't just carry the laptop to the printer every time I want to print as it already has loads of things attached to it, which would make that idea a ballache. USB cables seem to go to 5m, and even then I've heard that long USB cables are not a good idea. No idea if that's true? but me and printers don't get on. I don't want to introduce more uncertainty into the situation.
So.
I notice that the printer has a CAT5 connection next to the USB. My laptop also has a CAT5/Network socket. Somewhere in storage I also have a CAT5 cable I've been dragging around for about twenty years thinking it'll come in handy one day which is about 40ft long. Is it that day? Will it work?
No, the printer isn't wireless.
Ta!
What’s the model number of the printer /have you got the instructions? It might be network-able.
decent quality USB extension (e.g. Belkin or I'm sure amazon above will be fine), I've used several for years with no issues.
If the printer has ethernet port then it will be networkable, more usual to connect it to your router though than directly to a PC/laptop.
I'd suggest to Network it by connecting the printer to your router. Then its always connected and no need to connect to your laptop other than the existing wireless.
Other users can share it too if thats useful.
Printer make and model would be useful to allow us to check compatibility.
Assuming the cat5 is a normal network port, then yeah, plug that into your wifi router and live the networked printer dream.
No router, no WiFi/Broadband. It's in my work-unit/studio.
It's a Ricoh SG7100DN.
a USB extension looks just the ticket.
The product page confirms that printer has a normal network socket.
If your studio really has no networking at all then I'd say the easiest thing would be a long USB cable. A better solution would be a small wifi AP which the printer plugs into, and you then join the wifi network, so you don't need to trawl a long cable around the room.
One of these in bridge mode, and you have a wireless printer.
Vonets VAP11G-300 2.4GHz 300Mbps Mini Industrial Wireless Ethernet bridge/Repeater RJ45 to WiFi convertor adapter for Electronical Scales,Robots,PLC,Monitoring and IP Device https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B014SK2H6W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_VG6MDA4M9STGF2R6YFB7