Unable to set wireless connection with imac and Canon MX860 printer ...

Question

I recently converted to a Mac and bought a Mac Book, iMac, Airport Extreme, and a Canon MX860 printer. i have installed the canon software numerous times on my iMac to set up the wireless connection. yes, the airport extreme recognizes the printer and i am able to connect to my private and guest networks. the signal strength is good. It's the next part that I'm always stuck at. The Printer settings does not display when i choose More Printers and select Canon IJ Network. I called Apple support and we tried changing my network settings to an unsecured network and it still has the same issue. It was recommended this may be Canon driver issue and advised me to contact Canon. I reset the Airport, changed my network name and password .. i think i tried everything and it still does not work. What was I thinking when i said i wanted to convert to Mac? I can't move forward and connect my macbook or pc yet until I successfully connect the imac. Yes, i installed the latest canon IJ Network tool. of course the USB connection is fine but that defeats the whole purpose if why i bought this printer. please advise how to fix. this is getting very frustrating.

Answer 1

Some help at http://store.apple.com/us/product/TV352LL/A perhaps in the comments.
And maybe at http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PIXMA-MX860-Wireless-Printer/product-reviews/B001R4C 5BK in the comments.
"I ran into the same network installation issue that I've seen in other Canon printers. Canon's network setup forces you to connect by USB cable first. Only after you tell the program that you want to use the computer over the network can you remove the USB cable, move the printer if needed, and if you're using a wired connection, reconnect a network cable. The process isn't particularly difficult, but it's more cumbersome than what other printers let you do, which is simply put the printer where you want it, plug in an Ethernet cable, and install the software." source = http://shop.pcmag.com/shop/product/pcmag/84634068.aspx?SB=6&OB=1
"MAC wireless network printer setup requires turning off firewall, and works fine if you leave firewall off (not recommended). If you set firewall at "essential connections only," wireless networked MX860 won't work. You must add MP navigator and solution apps to your firewall enabled list. Then it worked fine on the admin account, but still won't work on users account which required additional permission settings and selections. After 2 hours it worked fine, but I would've expected better instruction manual for MAC." source = http://cnet.nytimes.com/multifunction-devices/canon-pixma-mx860/4852-3181_7-3352 9769.html
"The only trouble that I have had with this machine is setting up the wireless network. The manual instructions are impossible for me to understand and I ended up having to call for assistance. Which easily solved the problem. And again when I had to reconfigure my network settings it was impossible to follow the logarithm of instructions in the manual. Again I needed to call for assistance. If I need help after the year manufacture's warranty I will be charged for these calls." source = http://www.zimbio.com/InkjetPrinter+Reviews/articles/1932/Canon+PIXMA+MX860+Wireless+One+PhotoPrinter
Even Windows people have trouble:
"I NEED INTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO CONNECT MY HP LAPTOP TO THE CANON MX860 PRINTER."
"I'm with you. I have my mx860 connected usb to my pc with the printer being shared but my wireless laptop can't find it no matter what I try."
And, unhappy Vista person:
"I had high hopes for this printer - it seemed to have it all. But the wireless feature never worked, it only worked on my gigabit network for about two weeks (only THREE print jobs including the test print), and never observed it to work via USB - Vista (x64 Ultimate) would throw an error saying it could not attach the device."