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HP Multifunction Printers - Mac OS: Share the Printer by Connecting it to the USB Port on an AirPort Base Station

Introduction
You can share your HP printer on an existing network by connecting it to an Apple AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme Base Station with a USB cable. This connection type allows you to print from more than one computer on the network. It is not necessary for your printer to have built-in network capability.
Click the plus sign ( ) next to your operating system for more information.
Mac OS X 10.4 and 10.5
Follow these steps to share the printer on the network.
Step one: Install the printer software
If you have not already installed the printer software on your computer, follow these steps to download and install the most current software available for your printer. You need to install the software on each computer that will share the printer.
  1. Make sure that the printer and the computer are turned on.
  2. Connect the USB cable to the rear port of the printer and to any USB port on the computer.
  3. Exit any open programs on the computer.
  4. Open a new window to browse to the Select Software and Drivers page:
    1. Right-click this link, Select Software and Drivers , and then click Open in New Window .
    2. If prompted, type your printer model number. You might also need to click it in a list of similar products.
    3. Click your operating system.
      The Select Software and Drivers page opens.
  5. Click the option that you want to download.
    A page displays with more information about that option and the specific items that it includes.
    NOTE: HP recommends the Full Feature type of download, if available, to take advantage of all your printer features.
  6. Click Download only . If your browser opens a new dialog box, you might also need to click Save or Save File .
    The file downloads to your computer.
    Figure 1: Example of downloaded file
    Example of downloaded file
  7. Double-click the icon above the file name. The computer extracts the files and displays a disk image file icon above the printer name.
    Figure 2: Example of disk image file
    Example of disk image file
  8. Double-click the disk image file.
  9. Double-click the HP Installer icon.
    The HP Installer program opens.
  10. When prompted, select your HP printer, and then click OK .
  11. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Step two: Add the printer to the queue
Follow these steps to add the printer on each computer that will share the printer.
  1. Connect the USB cable to the printer and to the USB port of the AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme Base Station.
  2. Click System Preferences located in the Dock.
  3. Click Print & Fax .
  4. Click the plus sign (+ ), and then select the name of your HP printer.
  5. Click Add .
Mac OS X 10.6
Follow these steps to share the printer on the network.
Step one: Install the printer software
If you have not already installed the printer software on your computer, follow these steps to download and install the most current software available for your printer. You need to install the software on each computer that will share the printer.
  1. Disconnect the USB cable from both the product and the computer (if you already connected it).
  2. Turn the product on.
  3. Browse to the Get Software and Downloads page: Get Software and Drivers .
  4. Check the instructions on the page, and then click the Plus sign (+) next to the correct heading for additional instructions:
    • If prompted to enter your product in the window .
      1. Type your product number in the window.
      2. Click Next . If necessary click your model in a list of similar products.
      3. Click Software and Driver Downloads .
      4. Click the drop-down arrow ( ), and then click your operating system.
      5. Click Next , and then continue to the next step
    • If prompted to select your operating system .
      1. Click the drop-down arrow ( ), and then click your operating system.
      2. Click Next .
      3. Continue to the next step
  5. Click the Plus sign ( ) next to Driver , and then click the driver that you want to download.
    NOTE: HP recommends the Full Feature type of download, if available, to take advantage of all your product features.
  6. Read through the minimum system requirements and additional instructions. You can also click View directions ( ) for complete download instructions.
  7. Click Download . If your browser opens a new dialog box, you might also need to click Save or Save File .
    The file downloads to your computer.
    Figure 3: Example of downloaded file
    Example of downloaded file
  8. Double-click the icon above the file name. The computer extracts the files and displays a disk image file icon above the product name.
    Figure 4: Example of disk image file
    Example of disk image file
  9. Double-click the disk image file.
  10. Double-click the HP Installer icon.
    The HP Installer program opens.
  11. When prompted, select your HP product, and then click OK .
  12. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Step two: Add the printer to the queue
Follow these steps to add the printer on each computer that will share the printer.
  1. Connect the USB cable to the printer and to the USB port of the AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme Base Station.
  2. Click the Apple menu ( ), and then click System Preferences .
  3. Click Print & Fax .
  4. Click the plus sign ( ). The name of your printer displays.
  5. Select your printer name, and then click Add .
OS X 10.7 Lion
Follow these steps to share the printer on the network.
NOTE: Printer sharing is not supported if you added the printer to your Mac with Apple AirPrint. However, you can print from an Apple mobile device with the following connection type.
Step one: Install the printer software
You cannot If you have not already installed the printer software on your computer, follow these steps to download and install the most current software available for your printer. You need to install the software on each computer that will share the printer.
  2. Check the instructions on the page, and then click the Plus sign ( ) next to the correct heading for additional instructions:
    • If prompted to enter your printer in the window :
      1. Type your model number in the window.
      2. Click Next . If necessary click your model in a list of similar products.
      3. Click Software and Driver Downloads .
      4. Click the drop-down arrow ( ), and then click your operating system.
      5. Click Next , and then continue to the next step.
    • If prompted to select your operating system .
      1. Click the drop-down arrow ( ), and then click your operating system.
      2. Click Next .
      3. Continue to the next step.
    The Select Software and Drivers page opens.
  3. Click the Plus sign next to Driver , and then click the driver that you want to download.
  4. Click Download only . If your browser opens a new dialog box, you might also need to click Save or Save File .
    The file downloads to your computer, and the HP Software window opens automatically.
    NOTE: If the HP Software window does not open, double-click the HP Software icon on the desktop.
    Figure 5: Example of an HP Software icon
    Image: Example of an HP Software icon
  5. Double-click the HP Installer icon. The Welcome to the HP Installer window opens.
    Figure 6: Example of an HP Installer icon
    Image: Example of an HP Installer icon
  6. When prompted, select your printer, and then click OK .
  7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Step two: Add the printer to the queue
Follow these steps to add the printer on each computer that will share the printer.
  1. Connect the USB cable to the printer and to the USB port of the AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme Base Station.
  2. Click the Apple menu ( ), and then click System Preferences .
  3. Click Print & Scan .
  4. Click the plus sign ( ). The name of your printer displays.
  5. Click Add Printer or Scanner .
  6. Select your printer, and then click Add .
OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion
Follow these steps to share the printer on the network.
NOTE: Printer sharing is not supported if you added the printer to your Mac with Apple AirPrint. However, you can print from an Apple mobile device with the following connection type.
Step one: Install the printer software
If you have not already installed the printer software on your computer, follow these steps to download and install the most current software available for your printer. You need to install the software on each computer that will share the printer.
  1. Turn on the printer.
  3. Check the instructions on the page, and then click the Plus sign (+) next to the correct heading for additional instructions:
    • If prompted to enter your product in the window .
      1. Type your printer number in the window.
      2. Click Next . If necessary click your model in a list of similar printers.
      3. Click Software and Driver Downloads .
      4. Click the drop-down arrow ( ), and then click your operating system.
      5. Click Next , and then continue to the next step.
    • If prompted to select your operating system .
      1. Click the drop-down arrow ( ), and then click your operating system.
      2. Click Next , and then continue to the next step.
  4. Click the Plus sign ( ) next to Driver , and then click the driver that you want to download.
  5. Read through the minimum system requirements and additional instructions. You can also click View directions ( ) for complete download instructions.
  6. Click the option that you want to download.
    A page displays with more information about that option and the specific items that it includes.
    NOTE: HP recommends the Full Feature type of download, if available, to take advantage of all your printer features.
  7. Click Download . If your browser opens a new dialog box, you might also need to click Save or Save File .
    The file downloads to your computer.
    Figure 7: Example of a downloaded file
    Example of a downloaded file.
  8. Double-click the icon above the file name. The computer extracts the files and displays a disk image file icon above the printer name.
    Figure 8: Example of a disk image file
    Example of a disk image file.
  9. Double-click the disk image file.
  10. Double-click the HP Installer icon.
    The HP Installer program opens.
  11. When prompted, select your printer, and then click OK .
  12. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Step two: Add the printer to the queue
Follow these steps to add the printer on each computer that will share the printer.
  1. Connect the USB cable to the printer and the USB port AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme Base Station.
  2. Click the Apple menu ( ), and then click Software Update . Software Update checks for available updates and updates the database that your Mac uses to determine available printer software.
  3. Click Show Details , select any available software updates, and then click Install .
    NOTE: Install all available software updates for best printer performance and functionality.
  4. Turn on the printer, and then make sure that it has paper in the tray and that it is in a ready state.
  5. Click the Apple menu, and then click System Preferences .
  6. Click Print & Scan , and then click the plus sign ( ) in the lower left corner of the window.
  7. Click Add Printer or Scanner .
  8. Under Nearby Printers , click the name of your printer.
    NOTE: Make sure that the printer kind is Bonjour or Bonjour Multifunction .
  9. Click the Use box, and then select the name of your printer in the pop-up menu.
  10. Click Add to add the printer to the queue.

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