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Check power on an AirPort Express-connected printer Network
I have a printer connected to an AirPort Express in a central location in my home, so the entire family can print. However, we turn off the printer and the Airport Express at night (from a switched extension cord), so as to not waste electricity. So often, I try to print something, then find the printer isn't on. For some reason, after turning it on, I'm never able to send the print job, so I have to print again.

I figured out an easy way to find out if the printer is on (without going to physically check it). When setting up the AirPort Express, set it for music streaming as well. This way, all you need to do is check in iTunes to see if the Speakers menu is displayed at the bottom of the window. (If you have more than one AirPort Express, you'll have to click this menu to see if your printer's Airport Express is on.) If it's there, I can print right away; if not, I have to go turn it on.
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Check power on an AirPort Express-connected printer
Authored by: ework on Dec 16, '05 09:41:56AM
The easiest way to do this is ping it, or use nmap. Sometimes my AE, since my wireless AP is across the house, it disconnets and is unable to reconnect until I reboot it. Also you could use a Bonjour Browser, which you can get from here, and just check if the AE is broadcasting the printer as an available service. What you have seems to work but these may be easier.

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Check power on an AirPort Express-connected printer
Authored by: fmarder on Dec 16, '05 09:45:56AM

Turning off an inkjet printer from a power strip is not a recommended practice. Most printers perform some sort of shutdown process and this doesn't happen when you turn them off by cutting the power. Also, when you turn both the AirPort and the printer on at the same time you are probably causing timing issues which result in the problem you are having. As most printers go to sleep after a certain amount of time, I doubt that you're saving much anyway.

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Franklin Marder
Apple Solution Experts
Apple Product Professional



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Check power on an AirPort Express-connected printer
Authored by: kirkmc on Dec 18, '05 02:13:31AM

First, it's a laser printer. As for timing problems, I doubt it - the printer comes on and is ready before the AEX has gotten its IP address from my base station. And turning both off saves power.

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Read my blog: Kirkville -- http://www.mcelhearn.com
Musings, Opinion and Miscellanea, on Macs, iPods and more



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Check power on an AirPort Express-connected printer
Authored by: insports on Dec 16, '05 10:22:11AM

most printer now, u can set the time to switch on or off, i think this is more practical



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