Linksys WPS54G Wireless-G 802.11g Print Server

Average customer rating: 2.5

No support after it stopped working while under warranty
Works well once I figured it out!
Avoid this one.
Flawless Setup
Beware..Not compatible with many HP printers

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Linksys WPS54G Wireless-G 802.11g Print Server

Manufacturer: Linksys
Product Group: CE
Binding: Electronics
ASIN: B0006G36TA

Related Categories:

Print Servers

Print Servers

Print Servers

Product Description

The Linksys Wireless-G PrintServer lets you connect a USB printer directly to your network, eliminating the need to dedicate a PC to print-sharing jobs. Connect the PrintServer directly to your network by 10/100 Ethernet cable, or wirelessly over 54Mbps Wireless-G (802.11g). The wireless option lets you put your printer wherever you want, without having to run cables. The USB port is compatible with USB 1.1 printers, as well as printers that support the high-speed USB 2.0 specification for even faster throughput. A user-friendly Setup Wizard makes installation simple, the compact case fits anywhere, and the three megabyte print buffer handles even large graphic-intensive print jobs.

Customer Reviews:

No support after it stopped working while under warranty.......2007-06-13

Initially installed and worked fine. After 2 months stopped connecting to wireless network, then stopped connecting even when hardwired. And my WPS54G unit seems to run very hot, almost too hot to hold in hands. Ok, things happen, it's still under warranty, so I'll just get it replaced, right? Wrong!

This was mentioned by other reviewers, when you call Linksys support they will quiz you on your router before they even get to the print server. But it's not just an inconvenience of answering irrelevant questions. My router, although Linksys, is out of warranty. It's been working flawlessly for 3.5 years with 8 other devices connected to it. This does not convince Linksys support though. It'd be $30 to proceed with troubleshooting the under warranty print server because the router is out of warranty. I can only guess what the poor souls with non-Linksys routers are told. At that point I gave up, it's easier and cheaper to get a new print server. Not a Linksys this time.

Works well once I figured it out!.......2007-06-02

The print server is a nice addition to my home office. I always had to go back to my PC to print. I followed directions but it still didn't work. Then I realized all three ports on the print server should have something in them but the picture in the directions didn't show that. Once I figured that out, I had to deal with drivers, etc. Now, I am usually somewhere else in the house with my laptop when I want to print and it is extremely convenient.

Avoid this one........2007-05-05

Linksys has award-winning customer service. I know this because their "on-hold" message told me so dozens of times the first 20 minutes I was on hold (and then had to hang up and leave for a meeting) and the next 30 minutes on hold when I called back and when, so I thought, I had adequate time for my question to be answered.

But, despite the award, and consistent with the on-hold times, Linksys customer service lacks the latter and, I suppose, eventually will lack the former.

But it's worse. Rarely does a particular product merit my time (or increase in blood pressure) to complain about it. But this one does.

Where this wireless print server, and Linksys in general, excel is in the simple, graphic installation descriptions. Just follow the pictures on the glossy fold-out instruction manual and, viola!, your super-complicated device works! Or so you hope.

Beyond the 90 minutes spent trying solo to make my purchase work, and after my total of 50 minutes waiting to talk to a customer service rep, I spent, amazingly, another 45 minutes with her ("Trish" -- likely not her real name), who fixated on trying to update the firmware on my existing Linksys router. Huh? This router successfully connects about a *dozen* devices, including high-end and new A/V, security, and control equipment and new PCs. Yet, her relentless focus was on ensuring that I had the most recent firmware in my pre-existing network and, amazingly (but in retrospect not surprisingly, and only after 30 minutes) she told me, she had no expertise with my new print server product.

So, here are the specific problems:

* A firmware upgrade *may* be needed for your existing (and working just fine) Linksys wireless router before this wireless print server will work (not that the box or glossy instruction manual warn you, of course).

* To upgrade your firmware requires a hardwire connection to your wireless router (nice) and your existing router's model and version numbers and passwords which the more organized of you may have at the ready, but the rest of us may not be able to find or be comfortable figuring out how to use.

* Even if you have the requisite ID numbers and passwords, you need time and expertise. How does an afternoon -- all six hours -- look? (FWIW, I'm an electrical engineer, so the English Lit majors among you *may* -- no offense -- have even a few more challenges.)

* Customer Service -- despite the counter-factual claim repeated on hold for 50 minutes -- is awful. Truly awful. (1) Why should you have to call CS on a new product? (2) Why should you be on hold 30-60 minutes before reaching a rep? (3) Why should your rep, despite being the person you are connected to after describing your problem in detail, be ignorant of your product? (4) Why should s/he focus on a possible "shortcoming" of your *existing* (and, in my case, elaborate and fully functional) system, instead of the new product you just purchased?

In sum, the product and supporting service are awful. I strongly recommend (1) hard-wiring your printer (a lame solution, I know), (2) using another wireless brand, or (3) finding another wireless solution (e.g., Bluetooth). Don't waste your money or time with Linksys print servers -- this is not a solution but, rather, a time sink.

Flawless Setup.......2007-04-29

Having earlier struggled with our initial wireless installation involving a wired desktop and two wireless-equipped laptops, I was a bit apprehensive about hooking up the print server. Nevertheless I wanted to free-up the laptop running our second printer. I must say that the installation went like clockwork and was over in about 30 minutes. I just ran the setup disk to configure the server, then ran the disk to configure the three computers. Worked the first time!

Beware..Not compatible with many HP printers.......2007-04-19

Before buying this product you absolutely have to go on the web site and try to find out if they support your printer. Their web site is absolutely atrocious. It is so slow and constantly refreshes so it is almost useless. They have a link on the back of the box to a list of compatible printers so go directly to it. I have an HP G85 OfficeJet multi-function printer and the setup did not work at all. The tech support was useless. They kept trying to ask me what brand of computers I had on the network and what my ISP was. None of this mattered except to the marketing department. It drove me nuts. After 5 phone calls I finally got hold of a technical support person that confirmed my printer was not compatible.

Separately, even if you have a compatible printer you should be aware of a serious bug in the software if you use 128 bit WEP security for your wireless network like we do. Unless your network uses key 1 (of 4) you cannot hook the print server into your wireless network. There are radio buttons to support the other keys but they do not work. Tech support acknowledged the issue.

All in all a horrible experience. It's a shame because their wireless routers are almost decent.

Electronics:

Electronics

Electronics