Printing using motoprint and ICS
Hello;
I just got my Motorola Droid Razr Maxx to print directly to my HP 1300 connected to my Laptop via USB cable. I am running Win XP Pro (SP3) on my laptop. I was not to happy with the OLD honeycomb MOTOPRINT. Since, I am a LAN/WAN tech and install, operate and troubleshoot large LAN's with a mixed bag of PC's, laptops and now Smart Devices (phones and tables.) The honeycomb was short changed for large LAN operations.
Since I upgrade my Razr Maxx to ICS. I am beginning to use it more and more on my LAN as a quick troubleshooting device to assist me. I couple of apps I will recommend any Droid based user are "2X Client" for Remote Desktop Connection to any LAN based PC, Server and of Laptop and "Ping & DNS" to check for connectivity by pinging or trace routing to devices by IP or FQN.
Why? 99.9% of all networking issues is connectivity!!! If you can not see the other device. Do not expect to connect to it. Here is where your "Ping & DNS" app comes very handy. And the"2X CLient' as well. If you can connect to your PC or Laptop then your printer should do the same....
My case now:
When I upgraded to ICS I had MOTOPRINT still on my apps. Probably because never used nor set it up. But, I did get an upgrade notice for this App. After the update was downloaded and installed. I saw the app removed from the main APPs screen!!! So, I started looking for it and found that the Remote Printing Options were moved from an App base to an OS based. I found it under: Menu
System Settings
System
Printer Settings
Under printer settings you can view your current connected printers "My Printers"; your print job status "Printer Status" and last but not least "Add Printers" Here is were I was able to find and connect to my laptop printer. My first attempt to find them failed. Since my laptop is a very selfish laptop. Maybe by my own doing!!! I did not have enabled File and Printer Sharing under WIn XP Pro. I can explain this but I wan to keep this short. Maybe on my next post... IF needed...
After enabling "File and printer Sharing" and Sharing my printer I called it "Printer9" I finish the auto-discovery on my Droid by selecting "Printer Shares" Upper left corner has a "Next" It found My "WORKGORUP" then my "LAPTOP" and it listed my printer: Printer9
\\LAPTOP\Printer9
Put a check mark on it and done deal.... I am printing directly from my DORID RAZR to my HP 1300 USB printer connected to my laptop. My home/office LAN is a plain Verizon MiFi and 3 laptops and two printers. I just added my Lexmark ink jet to my list of available printers....
I do have a word of advice. My MiFi is very weak on the WiFi area. If, I move to far into my home. I loose signal strength fast and it will drop the connection!!!
I am working on this issue right now. But, be aware of your distance and signal strength at all times!!! A few walls, floors and or furniture will drop the signal. So, like in Real Estate... Location, Location, Location....
I hope this helps... My apologies for the lengthy explanation. I guess 30+ years of IT experience forces me to explain all the details....
Fred...
