MP161 Scanner Losing Conection

[sandmanmac]

This machine is setup to scan to a single scan folder on a Windows 7 PC with a static IP, and print from about 3 others. It has fairly recent firmware that I had to install just to be able to connect to Win 7.

It's a new installation, and I was called back a couple of days afterwards, because the Scan connection had apparently failed, although they could still print, but by the time I arrived, all was good.

A couple days ago I was called again for the same situation, although this time printing was not possible, and they could not Ping the machine, and
it read "offline" on the PC. I had them swap cables, and use another port on the Router and as soon as they did, everything came back online.

Today they called back, and said the scanner had lost connection again (the typical "Scanning has failed. Check settings...." message), but printing is still possible, and they never have ANY internet connectivity issues either

Anyone ever experience a similar problem, or any suggestions? It's a basic windows 7 system, no "High-end" security or firewalls, or anything.

Thanks in advance.

[rthonpm]

Re: MP161 Scanner Losing Conection

Here's a few things to look for:

1. Make sure that the Network setting on the Windows 7 box is set to a Work network for sharing.
2. Be sure that DNS settings on the copier match the workstation's and that the copier is in the same workgroup/domain as the workstation.
3. Check the settings on the shared folder to be sure that Everyone has read/write access (especially if multiple users use the computer).
4. See if you can browse to the share manually from the op panel using the same credentials.
5. Make sure firmware is the latest and greatest. This model uses an embedded Samba version that is NTLMv2 compliant so there shouldn't be too many issues with Windows 7.
6. Try a persistent ping to the copier for about five minutes or so and see if you get any kind of extended drop out to make sure the cables or router aren't at fault.
7. Try disabling SNMP in the driver under port configuration to see if that helps with the offline notification for printer status.

That's just off the top of my head. Good luck.

[Gift]

Re: MP161 Scanner Losing Conection

I've noticed that I get less trouble if I use the hostname + proper DNS configuration instead of just the IP of the destination PC. Not every static IP enviroment is really static if customers mess around with settings or use their business notebook also at home. And if things still make issues I use FTP instead of SMB.

[sandmanmac]

Re: MP161 Scanner Losing Conection

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll check, and change some of those recommended settings.
And 'yes', I was wondering if switching over to FTP might help.
Since there's only 1 scan destination programmed, I could leave button 1 on 'SMB' and program button 2 for 'FTP', then if 1, or both happen to fail again, that might help point me in the direction of the problem too. (??)

[Gift]

Re: MP161 Scanner Losing Conection

Since there's only 1 scan destination programmed, I could leave button 1 on 'SMB' and program button 2 for 'FTP', then if 1, or both happen to fail again, that might help point me in the direction of the problem too. (??)

Sounds like a good idea to configure both