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Hi Larry,
Here is another problem - everything seems to be going bad for me at the moment!
I just purchased the SMC Barricade broadband router with print server, and after installing it I hooked up 2 PCs on it. The network was OK. All lights were lit correctly. I haven't tried the WAN function yet because I'm still waiting for my DSL connection. But I installed the driver and connected a printer. I followed all instructions setting it up, and printed a test page - it printed alright, from both PCs. However I soon realised that if I tried to print again I got a message saying "there was an error writing to PRT mate: for printer (Epson Stylus Color 400). There was a problem sending your document to the printer. Make sure your printer is connected to the network, etc. etc." After switching the Barricade off & then on again I was able to print again , but every time it was only for the one time after rebooting it. This happens on both PCs. So I tried removing and re-installing the drivers both for the printer and the Barricade (several times), I downloaded the latest firmware and installed it as well, but nothing seems to work.
Another thing I noticed is that the Barricade Web Console is also only available once after switching on and then not again.
I'm really disappointed because I think I did everything as per the install guide (after all it isn't that complex!!), and cannot seem to be able to make it work. I have also been to SMC website and consulted their troubleshooting guide / FAQ but there is nothing on the printer server function of the Barricade
Can anyone please help me?....I don't know what else to do!! BTW, I' running WinME on both machines.
Thanks
Lawrence

The problem could be because you don’t have the WAN port connected to anything and the Barricade is trying to get an IP address from the port. Try assigning it a static IP for now. If that doesn’t fix the printer problem, try disabling bi-directional printing. I am running Me (and 98, NT, Win 2000 Pro) with a Barricade. Larry

I am planning on purchasing a SMC barricade - does this mean that I will run into the same problem and need to purchase a static IP for my cable modem?

No. Larry

LAST EDITED ON Apr-11-01 AT 10:17 PM (GMT)

Thanks Larry for the tips. I gave Static IP addresses to the PCs and also to the WAN port but I still cannot print. Once in a while I get half of a printer test page!!! I also disabled high speed printing - the option to disable bi-directional printing is greyed-out.

I cannot even access the Web Console - I keep getting Cannot Open Page messages, so I cannot even check what IP address I gave to the WAN port.I nearly forgot - when I do get the Web Console in the System Status I am told that Gateway 0.0.0.0 - Sidenote - Unreachable. Does that mean anything?!
Do you think I have a defective unit? I sure hope not!
Regards
Lawrence

Lawrence, I think the Barricade is busy trying to connect to the Internet. Suggest a phone call or E-Mail to SMC. Perhaps they have a procedure for running it as a switch/print server when no Internet connection is available. I have found their tech support to be responsive and knowledgeable. Let me know what you found out, OK? http://www.smc.com/smc/world_sites/map/globe.cfm. Larry

Thanks Larry. I have already contacted SMC by e-mail and am awaiting their reply.
In the meantime I have tried connecting the router to the printer and only one PC with a patch cord. It printed OK, and the Web Console came up every time. As soon as I connect the other PC (using a fixed cable with a patch cord at each end) everything stops - no printing and no Web Console!! I haven't tried the other pc by itself, because I'll have to move the printer, etc near to it but I intend to do it soon. I still get communication between the 2 PCs, but no printing!
Any ideas please.
Thanks Lawrence

It appears like it might be a cable problem. I would try swapping the locations of the PCs. Larry

LAST EDITED ON Apr-13-01 AT 04:31 PM (GMT)

Larry
Taking your advice I've changed the female RJ45 connector sockets at either end of my fixed cable and it seems it is printing OK. I have printed various types of test pages, docs, and web pages and it printer every time.
Once again you have been a great help to me, thank you very much, Larry.
Lawrence

Hello All.

I plan to order my SMC Barricade Router this week. I was hoping someone can answer some questions.

1. I am using Road Runner for my cable modem service. Has anyone had pronblems configuring the router with this service?

2. Will it make a difference if I use Win 2k?

3. I would like to FTP to my box from a dial up to the box at home while traveling with my laptop. Can I do this with the Barricade set up? also what will it take to set up an FTP server? What type of software or hardware do I need?

Thank you all for taking the time out to read and share your wisdom.

Ralph

Larry,

I hope SMC gives you a hefty commission for the hundreds of views that their router gets in your networking forum.

I can honestly say that I would not have ended up with mine if I had not stumbled in here.

)

I wish they would at least run a banner. But no, I do not sell Barricades or receive any renumeration from SMC. They did provide a unit for the review I wrote. Larry

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