John,
Twice I've head a similar problem with two laptops (ones with each of
them), when they were unable to locate the printer on the local network.
In both cases, replacing the printer name with the (fixed) local IP in the
printer port settings (essentially installing a new printer by using the
IP number instead of the printer name), - solved the problem.
Prior to that, when I was actively using my desktop, - I
occasionally had a problem accessing that computer and its
shared HDDs from my laptop. Again, using the IP number instead
of the name solved the problem.
My network printer is capable of scanning to the computers. Occasionally,
I see that it cannot connect to the computers (by their "Windows" name).
Rebooting the printer usually solves that problem.
Just in case, - my computers are all Windows (laptops are Win7, the
desktop is WinXP).
I haven't carried the ultimate diagnostics, but from what I've figured out
is that in all these cases it is about how device discovery (via UPnP and
SSDP) is happening on the network. My memory is a bit vague, but the
reasons are something like this:
1. You need to have the services that are responsible for the device
discovery running and not forbidden/blocked by the security policy
(firewall), - such as when the network is set (in Windows) as "public" or
"home/work". "Public" policy may forbid network discovery.
2. When not on a "Windows domain", but when the computers belong to the
same "workgroup", windows computers can take the role of the
resource-directory host/controller (I couldn't recall the correct term).
Sometimes there could be a clash between different computers, some sort of
race condition, so that they fight for that role (at least with WinXP).
Rebooting or suspending computer(s) on the network usually solves that
problem.
3. The router can have a configuration option for the local network that
can disable UPnP. I haven't seen this happening, but a flaky router might
contribute to the problem.
While it is not impossible that the network cable can contribute to the
problem as you described it, it is not very likely.
And just in case, - this page describes enabling network discovery in
Windows computers:
https://pattersonsupport.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/19189/~/how-to-enable-network-discovery-in-windows-7,-8.1,-server-2008-and-server-2012
For the record, - my laptop right now has UPnP Device Host service
not started (this one and SSDP Discovery are set to "Manual" for Startup
Type), - but it has no problem discovering my network printer and scanner.
HTH,
Igor
--
PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List
PDML@pdml.net
http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow
the directions.
