Purpose

This article aims to provide you with a basic understanding of the concept of ad hoc installation. It also details the critical values required for successful installation and setup in a direct computer-to-printer wireless environment.

Common terms

SSID (Service Set Identifier) = Network name

NOTE: See the Wireless & Networking Glossary for additional information.

About Ad Hoc Mode

Ad hoc Mode does not require the use of an access point (AP) or router. However, this connection mode is slower (11Mbps) than Infrastructure Mode, which makes use of an access point (AP) or router and does not offer the same level of security. 

Illustration

Macintosh

Click here for the equivalent article on ad hoc installation in a Macintosh environment.

Before you begin 
 

The installation performed in this example starts with a printer that was never configured and a Windows Vista laptop that is not currently on a network.  If the printer has already been taken out of the box, prepared for a previous connection type, and the Wi-Fi indicator light is in another state than the default which is orange, click here for an article describing the Wi-Fi indicator light patterns. 

NOTE: It is not necessary to reset the printer network adapter for this procedure; however, your computer cannot have simultaneous connections to both access point and printer after creating an ad hoc connection to the printer.   

SmartSolutions

When Ad hoc installation mode is used, you won't be able to set up SmartSolutions on printer models which support it.

Preparing the Computer for Ad hoc mode

First, you need to create an Ad hoc network before proceeding to printer installation. See samples below.

NOTE: If you need further assistance in creating an ad hoc network, you may contact your computer manufacturer, any support person who can set up a network for you, or Lexmark Technical Support.

Sample for Windows XP:

Step	Action
1	Click  > Settings > Control Panel > Network Connections, or right-click on the wireless notification icon and select Open Network Connections.
2	Right-click on Wireless Network Connection and then select Properties from the drop-down menu. Note: If Status shows 'disabled' or 'disconnected', select Enable from the drop-down menu prior to selecting Properties.
3	Click on the Wireless Network tab. Note: If the Wireless Network tab does not appear, third-party software is controlling your wireless networking settings. Please refer to that software's documentation for instructions on how to set up an ad hoc connection.
4	Verify that Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings is selected. If not, place a checkmark in the box.
5	Under Preferred Networks, remove existing networks by highlighting the network concerned and clicking Remove. Note: You can leave your preferred networks if you change your ad hoc connection to first priority using the Move Up or Move Down buttons.
6	Click Add to create the ad hoc network.
7	Type in your preferred Network Name (SSID): in the corresponding dialog box. Important! Write this name down and pay attention to the exact spelling and capitalization as you will need this name during installation of the printer.
8	Under Network Authentication, select Open.
9	Select WEP or Disabled for Data Encryption. Note: If WEP (for Wired Equivalency Protocol) is selected, you may have to deselect The key is provided for me automatically.
10	If WEP is chosen, enter the network key twice; once next to Network Key: and once next to Confirm Network Key. Important! Write this name down and pay attention to the exact spelling and capitalization as you will need this name during installation of the printer. Remember: WEP keys are either 10-26 hexadecimal characters (A-F and 0-9) or 5-13 ASCII characters (letters,#s,symbols) on the keyboard.
11	Select This is a computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network; wireless access points are not used.
12	Click OK twice and wait for a moment while Windows configures this new network.
13	To check the available connection: Right-click on the Wireless Network Connection icon using the procedure outlined in Steps 1 and 2. Under Available networks:, select View Wireless Networks.
14	If the network is listed but not connected, select the newly created network and click the Connect button.
15	If the network is not listed, wait a moment longer and then click the Refresh Network list button.

Sample for Windows Vista:

Step	Action
1	Click  > Control Panel > Network and Internet, or click on the network connection icon in the lower notification area of the lower-left task bar.
2	Click on Connect to a Network in the Network and Sharing Center (or in the notification window if you clicked on the network connection icon).
3	Click on Set up an ad hoc connection (Computer-to-Computer) network, and click Next.
4	Next to Network name:, enter a network name or SSID. Important! Write this name down and pay attention to the exact spelling and capitalization.
5	Next to Security Type:, select No Authentication(Open) or WEP. Note: This example uses No Authentication; this setting is a personal preference.
6	If WEP is selected, enter a 5-13 character security key/passphrase. Important! Write this name down and pay attention to the exact spelling and capitalization.
7	Select Save this network if this connection will be required at a later date.
8	Click Next and watch Windows create your new ad hoc network.
9	You can see your available network(name) via Connect to a network or by clicking on the network notification icon.
10	Close out of any remaining open windows.

NOTE: Click here for an illustrated walk-though.

Ad hoc mode installation in Windows Vista (Z1520, X4850, X6570, X7550) 

Step	Action	Click Image to Enlarge
1	Insert the installation CD into the drive.
2	If the Windows Vista AutoPlay dialog appears, click Setup.exe. Note: If Autoplay is not turned ON, initiate the installation by clicking the logo start button > Computer > the drive letter showing Lexmark.
Windows Vista	You will see a User Account Control screen appear. Click Continue. Administrator privileges are required for successful installation.	No Image
3	Welcome... select Install.
4	Accept the License Agreement, and click Continue.
5	Install Type will appear. Select Typical and click Continue. Note: If you would like to change your target install directory, select Custom.
6	Setting Up a new printer? will appear. Select Yes, I am setting up this printer for the first time, and click Continue. Note: If the printer has previously been configured on another machine, select No, My computer is already set up. I am installing it on another computer.
7	Perform the following unpacking and printer preparation steps, clicking Continue after each step performed: Unpack the printer.   Remove all tape and packing materials from the printer.   Raise the operator panel.    Raise the paper support.   Extend the paper exit tray.   Load paper and adjust the guide.    Connect the power cord and check insertion of the power supply (brick).    Connect the power cord to the power supply and wall outlet.   Make sure the power is ON.    Set the language, if needed.   Set the country, if needed. ADDITIONAL SETUP (CD instructions may not display.) FAX equipped Models Action Select Time Click . Select Format (AM, PM) Click . Select Fax phone number Click . Enter FAX name Click .   Raise the scanner unit.   Press down on the blue cartridge levers.   Remove the tape from the cartridges.   Insert the cartridges. Note: Perform procedure for Left – Black cartridge and Right – Color cartridge.   Press the spring-loaded cartridge covers down until they snap into the blue cartridge levers.   Close the scanner unit (cover).   Press  to print the alignment page.	Click here for the images of full printer preparation flow chart.
8	Check the Wi-Fi indicator... It should be Orange for first-time installations. Other possibilities include: No light – This would indicate that the printer is turned OFF, that the device is in power saver mode, or a possible hardware failure.   Green light – This would suggest that this printer has already been configured and is communicating with some access point.  Select this if installing  software on additional computers. Help! For an extensive list of status possibilities and troubleshooting tips concerning the Wi-Fi indicator light, click here.
9	Printer Connection... How do you want to connect your printer? Select Wireless Connection, and click Continue. Select USB Cable if using a USB cable for a local connection.
10	Connect the installation (USB) cable between PC and printer, and click Continue. See 'the Windows Vista' step below before clicking Continue.
Windows Vista	Additional notifications will appear after you connect the USB cable. Select Cancel. Found New Hardware Notification Select Ask Me Again Later, or Don't Show this message again for this device before selecting Cancel.
11	Searching for Wireless Networks now appears.  This site survey will locate ALL other wireless devices, or networks. Note: Only local subnets or network segments will be searched.
12	Choose a Network will appear. Select Connect to "SSID" entered in step 4(Windows Vista), or step 7 (XP) of the preparation sections above, and click Continue. Note:    Close out of any additional remaining operating system Plug-N-Play notifications. If this network name is not visible, click Back and re-perform the site survey. Otherwise, verify that your computer is not communicating with an access point. Click on Connect to another network, to see what ad hoc networks are detected.
13	Network Security Information will appear. If you prepared WEP security in Step 6 (Windows Vista) or Step 10 (Windows XP) of the preparation sections above, enter the Security network key, and click Continue. Important! Remember capitalization, spelling and spacing. Failure to enter the security key correctly will result in a Connection failed message. Try to click back, re-enter the value, or go back to 'ad hoc preparation' above.
14	Please Wait "Your printer is connecting to your network..." message.
15	Remove the installation cable.
16	Connection Successful, Your printer has successfully connected to your wireless network.  Click Continue. A green Wi-Fi light indicator should not be present on the printer. Note: You should also see your wireless network notification icon  display a corresponding a successful connection.
17	Enter a nickname for your printer... The default Lexmark #### Series value can be left alone, or you can enter any personalized name. This name helps identify your printer when you perform an installation on a secondary machine. It replaces the Zero Configuration Name on your network settings page.
18	Final configuration takes place with this message: Please Wait... Preparing your printer.
FAX equipped Models	Do You Want To Set Up Fax Now? will appear. Select Yes and then Continue if you want to be guided through the setup process.
19	Print a sample page, and click Continue.
20	Product Registration Select whether to Register the product and take part in the Lexmark Connect Program, and click Next.
21	Install the Lexmark Toolbar or uncheck this option, and click Continue.
22	Congratulations, click Finish.

Related Help Articles

Wireless Glossary
How to Ping Addresses
How to Perform IPCONFIG
How to Access a Command Prompt in Vista
How to Print the Network Settings Page
How to Access the Printer's Web Page
How to Perform a Reset of Network Settings
Wireless Signal Strength and Variables Affecting Its Strength
Troubleshooting Possible Network Issues  (This article discusses the Lexmark X9350 specifically, but may prove helpful.)
How to Reconfigure the Printer Using the Wireless Setup Utility

Still need help? 

Please contact Lexmark Technical Support for additional assistance. NOTE: When calling for support, you will need to know your printer model type and serial number (SN).

Please call from near the printer and computer in case the technician asks you to perform a task involving one of these devices.