Appears the PS121v2 also features an actual print server interface (SMB or raw tcp, rather than the remote USB hub mode the install software attempts to use). who knew!?!
the setup just installs a remote USB hub, no other options. while this would seem like a reasonable approach for USB printers (just make it surrogate for the USB wire, how could you go wrong?). appears their software is either buggy, or simply not compatible with the better part of printers out there, including mine. i'm not sure what's going on.
like a lot of folks that posted online; i found the installer would hang at 90% complete. after restart etc, i did manage to print something. but when i got it to work, it returned an error after a single print job and required resetting the printer to clear. lame. plus, you're stuck with the default 'networked' printer name it registers (can't change, it just resets on power up, grrrr). i think most people gave up well before this point.
i fiddled with settings for two nights. 'reserving' the printer helped, but still timed-out and required resetting. i read a lot of people facing the same trouble i did. most suggesting the unit was worth $0.02. i would have returned it, but bought it on impulse at a clearance sale for super cheap, no returns. if i had read any of the reviews, i would *not* have bought it. but in the store i thought, simple device, meh, how could it not work?!
maybe NetGear thought the USB mode would be more compatible, more universal?? maybe that mode allows for bi-directional functionality (e.g. for scanners) which i don't need. fine and dandy, well --if it works (some suggest to removing bi-directional mode). better if it at least functions as a networked ethernet print server. at least, this is how i'm used to setting up printers over the LAN at the office. i did read one person online who then attached a USB hub & mass storage (then a printer), and was able to have networked mass storage. haven't tried that yet, but it's interesting.
Yeah, this thing is targeted for 'MFP' multi-function printers; that's on the packaging. Ok, so this makes sense - but it's not want i need or want. great if it worked. i just wanna print.
so being stuck with it... playing around on a whim i decided to just *TRY* adding a printer, as a 'network' printer. voila! turns out you don't need to use the PS121 as a remote USB hub at all --there IS a standard 'print server' mode built in! odd. nothing in the support docs or online faq mentions you can --or should even try this. that seems rather lacking, just totally lacking from the manual. i mean, it's a print server, that's at least worth mentioning right? would have saved me some grief; probably solved the issue for a lot folks out there. i only tried this thinking, well, it has an IP, and that's how we usually set things up at the office.
plus, you don't even need to install the included software to do this (software doesn't do much anyway). the factory default settings for the PS121 uses DHCP, and the unit includes an admin web page where you can configure the printer (user = admin, password = password). you just need to figure out the assigned IP (from your router logs). from there you can change the print server name, set the ip (change to fixed), admin password, and check the status (not much else).
two methods:
for 'SMB' mode:
go to 'add printer'
select network printer
select browse for printer
look for print server name (can set/change name via PS121 admin web page)
example \\PS55DF60
expand list for the print server, printer name is 'P1'.
select P1.
select device driver for the printer (e.g. have disk, you need a compatible driver).
i used a stock PCL driver for my Brother HL-5140 (downloaded from web).
to use, select the printer listed under \\PRINTSERVERNAME\P1
note: you can't easily change the P1 name since it's a 'remote' printer.
-or-
to use a standard remote raw TCP interface, (lets you rename the printer locally).
go to 'add printer'
select local printer
create new port
drop down, choose standard tcp
select the IP of your PS121 (e.g. 192.168.1.100)
select device type as 'custom'.
select settings (RAW, 9100)
select device driver for your printer (e.g. have disk).
(again, i used the stock PCL driver for my Brother HL-5140).
note: mode requires setting print server to a fixed IP.
note: LPR mode might also work here? (confirmed, see below).
note: device type for generic 'network print server' might also work??
note: the system will need to recognize your driver. the 'USB' driver did not work.
HAH, simple!
now i can print without the PS121 error --and having to reset the printer, wakes from sleep mode just fine, no troubles at all. had the installer prompted or even merely suggested this option, i would have walked away from the install giving the unit high marks for working out of the box. works just like a print server should!
followup:
turns out there was a entry in the NetGear forums on this topic. really, that should have been on the troubleshooting/page for the device. plus, now i'm er curious, if my scanner will work with it! meh, juss wonder'n. going to try that hub trick later!
taken from the netgear forums page :
PS121 - installation problems using add printer port wizard
Symptom(s): 'Add LPR port to PC, please wait' nothing happens
Resolution:
Steps for troubleshooting:
Go to the Start menu of Windows XP, then select 'Printers and Faxes'. This will open the Printers and Faxes window. In the Printer Tasks menu, click the 'Add a printer' icon to start the Add Printer Wizard. Click 'Next' at the Add Printer Wizard welcome screen.
The next window of the Add Printer Wizard will ask if the printer is connected to the local computer or to a Network Printer Server. Select 'Local Printer' unless the printer that you are selecting is attached to another workstation or accessed via a dedicated print server. De-select the box next to 'Automatically detect and install my Plug and Play Printer.' Click Next.
This window asks for a printer port to be selected. In order to access the printer over Ethernet using TCP/IP, a new TCP/IP port must be created. Click the radio button next to 'Create a new port,' and select 'Standard TCP/IP Port' from the pull-down menu.Click Next.
This will open the Windows TCP/IP Printer Port Wizard. Make sure the PC and printer are both properly connected to the Ethernet network and that the printer is powered on. Also, make sure your printserver has been assigned an IP address according to the instructions in your printer documentation. Click Next.
This window asks for the Printer Name or IP Address for the printer. Fill in the printer server IP address in this field. A Port Name can also be assigned in this window, in order to more easily identify the port when the time comes to select the printer. A new name can be assigned, or the system will automatically fill in a default name. Click Next.
The next window will ask for additional port information. Under 'Device Type,' click on the 'Custom' radio box and click 'Settings...'
This will bring up the Port Settings window. The printer can be used under either the Raw or LPR protocol.
If using LPResolution: Under 'Protocol,' select the radio button next to 'LPR.' enter 'LPR1' as the Queue Name. Click on the checkbox next to 'LPR Byte Counting Enabled.' to enable byte counting. Do not make any other entries or changes in this window. Click OK to return to the Additional Port Information window, then click Next to proceed.
This will complete the TCP/IP Printer Port Wizard. A window will appear summarizing the settings that have been made for the new port. Click Finish.
The Add Printer Wizard will continue. A list of manufacturers and printer models will appear. Now you can install the printer . Click finish .
An icon for the printer will appear in the Printers and Faxes window. You are now ready to print to your printer.
Notes on Network Printing with LPR
LPR is a popular protocol used to send print jobs through the network. To use it, your PC or Mac must have software on it that can send jobs using the LPR protocol. Almost all print servers are configured to receive such print jobs by default, as it is a popular method of network printing. By installing LPR Client software, you can print to any LPR capable printer anywhere on the Internet, as long as you know the printer's hostname.
You can use such a client to print straight to a printer, but doing so may not be a good idea for a busy printing environment. The PC will have to wait until the printer is free before it will accept the job. Additionally, you will not have print queue management abilities, such as deleting and rearranging print jobs.
You can use LPR client software to print to any print server that will accept that protocol, so you are free to set up a print queue holding area in between the PC (or Macs) and the printer itself.
followup:
i may have printed some garbage characters or extra blank pages (online faq mentioned this possibility, something about the limited 64k buffer, blah blah blah). still just testing out here. too early to say. otherwise working great. besides, i have pretty minimal needs. trying to go paperless damnit, remember?!