My Mac PowerBook Pro and HP Deskjet 3070A won't connect over a dorm wireless network

[cyberoid]

Both my laptop and printer (an All-In-One) are connected to the same dormitory wireless network, but they will not connect over it.  They will only connect hardwire using a USB cable.

I have IP addresses for the MacBook Pro and the Deskjet printer but no way to use them to make a connection.  I do not have access to the network router.  When I test the connectivity, your software tells me, "Too many networks."  It can't make a choice!

Interestingly, I have my MacBook Air along on this trip, too, and the two MacBooks have no problem communicating over the same dorm network.

Is there a way to connect these devices as the computers connect or must I remain tethered to the USB cable to use my new printer?  I guess you know how I feel about that.  Thanks for your advice.

[PrintDoc]

Yup, your dorm network likely has a login and password.  The printer has no way of connecting to it.  Even it if could connect, the dorm network likely blocks access from device to device.

Your only choices are a USB cable or get your own router.

[cyberoid · Accepted solution]

You're correct.  There is no way to circumvent password-protected security and thus connect a Mac to a Deskjet 3070A via a secured network without access to a router and password.  However, even without access to a network or router, there is a workaround.  In my case, where the technical ability to properly set up the router and printer is beyond the ken of the dorm's management, with qualified help unlike to arrive anytime soon, it's the answer I need.

The solution is to generate your own Mac + Printer network and make it private, secure it against unwanted entry.  This offers you limited mobility in the general vicinity of the printer, which is considerably better than none.  A couch may be more conducive to creative thought than a desk chair.  The unconventional twist that user Johnny introduces is that it is the printer that generates the sender-receiver network, not the Mac.  Very clever.

I refer you to the thread,

"Deskjet 3070A can't connect to ad hoc (Mac) network"

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Printer-Networking-and-Wireless/Deskjet-3070A-cant-connect-to-ad-hoc-ne...

Then the only issue is how to connect your Mac securely to the Deskjet 3070A via the generic (as he calls it, "ad hoc") network created by the Deskjet.  The Mac has abundant features for this purpose.

Thanks for the categorical statement, however.  No sense in knocking down the walls looking for a non-existent hidden tunnel...!

[PrintDoc]

Yeah, I knew about this but the problem is your printer's 'ad hoc' network is disabled within on hour after a printer reset.  This will not be a reliable connection for you.

[cyberoid]

Thanks, I did some calculations.  If the Deskjet's tiny ink reservoirs hold out -- unlikely, but theoretically possible if it's Chanukah -- one can print about 600-800 pages in an hour.  That should satisfy everyone but the most ardent proponents of using more paper...and if no miracles occur, paying for an ounce of ink the price of a barrel of oil.

It's quite easy to recreate the network.  Considerably better than nursing a sleeping printer, it's cartridges slowly going dry.