Lexmark ethernet card

[Peter]

I have a Lexmark Optra 412 and need an ethernet card- the company wants almost $400 for theirs, and I was wondering if anybody knows where I could get one somewhat less expensive that will still work.

 
Peter

[Al]

$400?  Wow, that's crazy!  

Try OWC.  Much much more reasonably priced.  Under $40

Did a search at OWC and came up with these items.

MacAlly PCI Ethernet Adapter for 10BaseT/100BaseT

AsanteFast 696 10/100 PCI Ethernet Card

[kelly]

With what machine?

I bought this one for about $12 at Office depot.


D-LINK 10/100TX PCI Adapter DFE-530TX+


http://www.nextag.com/serv/main/buyer/prod...roduct=10560127


Or get this one at OWC.


http://eshop.macsales.com/Item_DealMac.cfm?ID=5630

[cdub1988]

PETER -

I've got a couple of extra Asanté EtherFast 10/100 cards at home (I know I have at least one)

Can't imagine I'd ever use them all at once, so if you want one, I'll send it to you.

I could do it for the cost of shipping, if that helps.

Just contact me at the address posted here on the board for me.

Take care.

Chris

[Peter]

This is for the Lexmark printer- Would a regular PCI card work?

They sell this, but its external- mentions parallel port, would it stil work w/ mac?

http://store.lexmark.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce...lic&sku=46D0060

This was the one I was talking about- its an internal unit

http://store.lexmark.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce...lic&sku=44D0050

Does this give a better idea of what I need?


   Again
Peter

[kelly]

Ok. I found this. $60.


"TRENDnet's TE100-PS1+ is a multiprotocol print server that turns any stand-alone printer into a shared network printer. It is equipped with an auto-sensing 10/100Mbps NWay interface, allowing easy integration to today's Ethernet/Fast Ethernet network. The TE100-PS1+ comes with an IEEE-1284 Centronic 36-pin Male Connector that directly connects to the printer, eliminating the need of installing printer cable between the printer and the print server. With TRENDnet's TE100-PS1+, you can turn a printer for one person into a network printer for all users in your network!"


http://www.techdepot.com/product.asp?Produ...tID=309&IID=860


I think something like this would work.

More details from you about the network would help.

[Paddy]

Peter, what you're looking for is a print server - not the same thing as an ethernet card, unfortunately! I am assuming that you wish to share your printer across a network?

You don't have to use an internal print server - you can buy an external one (that uses the parallel port) - I'm not sure if, say, HP internal print servers would work in a Lexmark printer. There are also wireless options available:

http://www.applelinks.com/reviews/hpwp100/.../wireless.shtml

This one is a one-port print server that looks like it should work (great price too!):

http://www.pcconnection.com/scripts/produc...oduct_id=308095

or the 3-port model, if you have another printer you want to share:

http://www.pcconnection.com/scripts/produc...oduct_id=332366

Not sure about the Trendware servers though - Practically Networked Home reviewed the wireless model and complained that it wasn't the easiest thing to set up.

Another option - 3 port (parallel) Hawking print server:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00...9248619-0844148

For product info on Hawking print servers (they have a number of options):

http://www.hawkingtech.com/prodList.php?FamID=42

http://www.provantage.com/ has the one port USB print server for $53 (they use frames...can't give you the direct link)

There are a LOT more options available for Macs now than there were 3 or so years ago when I was looking!!!

You can compare prices at sites like Pricewatch.com and DealTime.com - and you should also check sites like Buy.com who don't necessarily participate in some of the comparison shopping bots.

[cdub1988]

IAWP -

I've heard great things about the Hawking products.  

I guess in my original post I should have gathered more information about your setup, but then again, I haven't had the time to even check what kind of printer that is.    

Take care.

Chris

[Peter]

Thanks- That looks like a far better deal Kelly- it does metion parallel->Ethernet, will it still work for mac?

Also- when we do set up- waht drivers will we need on the computers?

Someone asked for more info on the network- here it is

Schematic

[krissel]

From the specs on the Tech Depot print server:

QUOTE

Supported Protocols: TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, NetBEUI, and AppleTalk/EtherTalk

[kelly]

It also said it supports the mac OS.

I have no idea if this is the best one or best price.

It's just one I found.

[Peter]

Thanks- Now once we get the unit hooked up which drivers do we need on our AppleTalk Network to get the 6500  & iMac to see & use it?

Thanks for all of the help-
Peter

[kelly]

Peter. I'm assuming it will come with mac Drivers.

As far as I know.

If the machine it's hooked to sees it, so will the others.

You won't need Drivers for them.

I could be wrong.

if you get it, get back to us.

[Peter]

I just found something that may cause trouble- none of the print servers that you helped me find are imdeiatly(sp) usable with mac- they support mac, but acording to the companies that I talked to they need a PC somewhere in the network.  something about no drivers for Mac OS- Can you help Me please?

[kelly]

Peter. Did you ask about that Hawking Print Server?

It says it supports macs that are Postscipt printers.


http://www.hawkingtech.com/printserver.php


Lexmark says that printer has "PostScript 3 and PCL 6 emulations".

Whatever that is.

Also. The 410 has a USB Connection.


http://www.lexmark.com/US/products/overvie...TY3fDE=,00.html

http://www.lexmark.com/US/products/product...28,fDE=,00.html

Have you considered some kind of USB Printer Sharing?