Ethernet Knocks Out My Email!

[follywinesltd]

I have a BT 2701HGV-C router.

I also have a non-wireless HP Officejet Pro 8500 printer which is connected to my Dell PC by USB cable.

I also wanted to print to the HP printer from my latest model 13" MacBook Air laptop but I didn't want the caddle of swapping the USB lead over every time I wanted to print from the Mac.

So I plugged an Ethernet cable into the HP printer and the other end into my BT router and, voila, I can now print wirelessly from my Mac.

The problem is that when the printer is connected to the router by Ethernet cable it completely knocks out my email on the Dell PC (Mozilla Thunderbird).  As soon as I unplug the Ethernet cable from tthe BT router normal service is resumed.

Any ideas for a fix?

[DaveA]

Hi,

Well that throws that theory out.

Under normal circumstances a restart of router and computer is probably best when changing cables and such, but we have no idea why this particular change stuffs up email on the PC.

None at all.

/lost

I am glad it works though, no matter the reason behind the working.

Dave

[DaveA]

Hi,

We're running with this one, as we've spoken to one of our coaches who knows stuff.

If you're using USB on your PC, why is that?  Is it the router that's connected to the Ethernet port on the PC?  And it doesn't affect anything other than email?

Also could you try something?  Could you go into the router and DMZ mode the PC, and see if the Ethernet still does the same thing?

Sorry to be a pain, but you've given us a mystery to be solved now.  🙂

Dave

[follywinesltd]

Yes, I think I'll give up trying to figure out the "whys" of this and just accept that everything now works!

Of course, I am spoiled a bit by being a Mac user at home of 12 years duration.  With Macs there is no need to restart or switch off when swopping cables but evidently on a Windows set-up there is.

I prefer Macs by many, many miles but, unfortunately, I am obliged to use a PC at work.

[follywinesltd]

1) I have to use a USB cable from my PC to my printer because my HP Officejet Pro 8500 is the non-wifi version.

2) I have my BT router connected to my Dell PC by Ethernet cable to power the internet, email etc.

3) The problem arises when I connect a second Ethernet cable from the router to the printer (so that I can access the printer wirelessly from my Mac laptop) when email on my PC is knocked out until I restart the router.

4) "DMZ mode the PC".  Sorry but I don't understand that bit.  I'm not really a techie!

[DaveA]

Hi,

Well to be fair if it's working and you want to leave it alone then don't mind us.  We're geeks that just like the challenge too much.  🙂

Dave

[DaveA]

Crossing posts for the win.  🙂

Dave

[follywinesltd]

I sent my "I think I'll give up" post before I received yours asking for more information.  Sorry!  But I have replied with the details.

[DaveA]

Hi,

This link has details on port forwarding, and the bit you are looking for is DMZMode Plus about half way down.

http://btbusiness.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/c/426,3124,3670/a_id/9445/kw/dmz

As I say if you want to call it quits then don't worry about it.  🙂

Dave