Setting up the printer server

Freesco will also act as a print server. I removed the Canon inkjet from my workstation and connected it to the printer port (lpt1) of my Freesco box. This printer is shared with the other computers on the home network.

If you have a USB only printer you're out of luck. Freesco is based on the reliable and stable 2.0.38 Linux kernel which does not support USB.

To set up Freesco as a print server just enable the feature during the initial set up or edit the \ROUTER\ETC\system.cfg file on the Freesco floppy disk.

Look for item #451. Change ENALPD=n to s.

# [Services] # y - worldwide/s - local/n - disable

ENALPD=s #451.Enable Print Server
LPPORT1=515 #452. on port
LPDEV1=lp1 #453. On output device

Save the file and reboot the Freesco Box.

To setup XP Pro workstation (I'm sure Win2K and XP@Home is the same)

select: start/settings/printers and faxes/add printer

The add printer wizard will pop up.

Select 'local computer attached to this computer' option.
I deselected the 'Plug and Pray' option.

The 'Select a printer port' window will pop up.

Select 'create a new port/standard TCP/IP port' option

The TCP/IP printer port wizard will pop up.

Enter the IP address of the Freesco Box internal network Ethernet card. In my case it is 192.168.0.254.

A window will pop up requesting additional port information.

Select 'custom/settings'

'Configure standard TCP/IP port monitor' window will pop up.

Select 'Protocol/LPR'

In the LPR Settings/Queue name box type in 'nt' and select OK.

In my case, XP pro determined the printer was a Canon BJC-250, loaded the drivers and successfully printed the test page. Note that I set up the print server after upgrading the Freesco Box memory from 8mb to 16mb. The print server may not work with only 8mb.