Hardware and network config are the two least favorite parts of my work, and for the last day and a half, I’ve been mired in both.
I’ve been having intermittent problems with internet connectivity, and yesterday, it seemed like the usually reliable Apple Airport had finally quit.
The Airport established a local wireless network just fine, but there was a problem with the cable modem connection. Comcast had checked out their side of things a few weeks ago, and found everything in order.
I tried connecting the desktop directly to the cable modem, and it worked fine.
I had less luck trying to connect the laptops, being too cowardly to change the settings.
Since the desktop doesn’t have a network card, I’d been using an old ethernet hub and on impulse, disconnected it from the Airport.
The wireless computers have been connecting reliably to the internet ever since.
Then, my ancient inkjet/multifunction printer finally bit the bullet. Except for the fact that replacing it meant spending money, it was no great tragedy: the software never worked 100% with XP Pro anyway, and I couldn’t seem to find updated drivers.
So, I invested in a new Brother MFC-7220 laser printer/multipurpose machine.
It seems, though, that the old parallel cable isn’t compatible with the new printer. At least, that’s an educated guess, since the software seemed to install fine on the desktop, but the PC didn’t recognize the new hardware.
This morning, I WAS able to get the printer working with one of the laptops, so problem solved at least in part.
Meantime, my across the street neighbor was kind enough to give me her old Maytag refrigerator, which she’s replaced (along with all her other kitchen appliances) with new, stainless steel models.
This is the same neighbor who gave her old gas stove to Peter and Bonnie.
Her gentleman friend trucked the frig over and set it up, and we plan to bring the old one to the transfer station today.
So, between the router, the ethernet hub, the printer and the frig, plus various other electronics that I’ve recently either retired or replaced, like old phones, it’s been pretty geeky around here lately.