USB and Wireless Printing on PhotoSmart 7525

[John92]

We recently purchased an HP PhotoSmart 7525 all-in-one printer.  I set the printer up via a USB cable to a single computer (the primary desktop machine).  The printer works perfectly this way.

We also have a wireless network and would like other devices on that network to use the HP printer.  However, the primary desktop computer does not have wireless connectivity, which is why I connected it to the printer with a USB cable.  I do not want to replace USB connectivity with wireless.  I want to add wireless functionality so we have both options available (USB-only for the desktop, wireless for the iPhones, iPad tablets and the other computers on the wireless LAN).  By the way, I realize that we will need to install the printer drivers on any wireless PCs that we want to have access to the PhotoSmart printer.

What I would like to do is to leave the main computer set up exactly as it is (USB connection).  I would like to put the printer on the wireless network without disturbing this set-up.  What is the best way to add this printer to our wireless network without wireless capability on the main computer?

Thanks very much for your assistance.

[ShlomiL]

Hi,

To clarify first, is the primary desktop machine connected to your home router with a wired network cable? (ethernet)

If so, you may connect the printer to this PC without the USB cable as it is connected to the same network (via a wired network) as the printer will be connected wirelessly.

The easiest way to achieve this method is to convert the current USB into a wireless connection as following:

1. From the desktop, go to Start > HP > HP Photosmart 7520 and open the HP Photosmart 7520 software.
2. Click the top Utilities tab, then select Printer Setup & Software.
3. Click on Convert USB to Wireless and follow the steps to connect the printer to your network.

Once you are done, you will be guided to unplug the USB and the printer will be connected to your wireless network and will be configured through the network for that PC as well.

If the specific desktop is not connected to a router at all or if you may prefer to keep it as USB anyway, open the Control Panel and select Devices and Printers (assuming it is Windows 7 or 8), right click any listed HP Photosmart 7520 icon and select Remove Device.

Once you are done, open the HP Photosmart 7520 software and click on Connect a new printer. follow the steps by selecting USB, plug the cable when the software guide you to do so and it will be reconfigured via a USB again.

Please let me know if that may help,

Shlomi

[John92]

Thanks for your prompt response.  To answer your question, yes the desktop computer is connected to the router via Ethernet (to share a broadband connection).  I would prefer to keep the main computer/printer connection USB.  The main use of the printer is from the primary computer and I'd prefer to have a direct connection so that the main computer can print even if the network goes down (or the router has a problem). 

Would an easier way to accomplish this be to add the printer to the wireless network directly from the LCD panel on the printer itself?  It looks like that process adds the printer to the wireless network without distrurbing the USB connection (wireless setup wizard).

[ShlomiL · Accepted solution]

Actually for the specific printer you can do it from the front panel as well.

Follow these steps to connect the printer to the new network using the Wireless Setup Wizard.

1. On the printer control panel, touch the Wireless icon ( ).
2. Touch Settings .
3. Touch Wireless Setup Wizard . The printer searches for available networks.
4. Touch the name of your network.
5. If prompted, enter the network password, and then touch Done . The printer connects to the network.

Now you may install the software on any of the wirelessly connected PCs.

Shlomi

[CraiginNJ]

I don't see an answer to the question of how to enable both USB and wireless access to the printer from the same computer.   I want to use USB when at my desk and wireless when not at my desk but elsewhere in my home. 

A few years ago the HP software could be simply re-run to add the other connection type and they could co-exist as though they were separate printers.  I  imagined the capability still exists, but the new install wizard doesn't seem to have an option for enabling both modes.  So how can it be done???