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D-Link SharePort Update
Update: D-Link has released a new firmware for the DIR-655 here, it contains a version of SharePort that is newer than SX Virtual Link.
I haven’t been following D-Link’s SharePort fiasco since the first few months of my previous blog posting about it here. This is due to the fact that as many users have experienced since the original release it appears to have gained more and more bugs in each new version and we only occasionally see them being fixed.
A forum post in the official D-Link forums about the Apple OSX users of the software pointed me to the fact that the drivers and software used to connect to the router appears to have been made by a company called Silex Technology.
I searched around and found SX-Virtual Link, the original name of the D-Link SharePort Utility, upon downloading and installing the latest version 3.2.3 I found that the application was the same as the SharePort Utility except for the branding and the version. D-Link’s latest SharePort Utility has the date 2009/01/06 and theirs is 2009/02/02, there is also a major version difference, the specific version number for the utility/drivers with SharePort is version 4.9.5 and SX-Virtual Link is up to version 5.3.0.
Upon using the utility I had no problems at all connecting to my D-Link DIR-655′s device, I used a wireless mouse to test the functionality and it worked flawlessly for some time, so I am encouraging users who currently have issues with SharePort to uninstall it and install SX-Virtual Link and see if it fixes any of the issues you are currently having with your devices.
For OSX users I have not been able to test out the OSX version and I am unaware of any changes you might need to make to get it working but I will provide a link below for those users to test if they so wish.
You can get the latest version of SX-Virtual Link just below:
These are updated versions (3.4.0) 31/12/2009
SX Virtual Link 3.4.0 Windows
SX Virtual Link 3.3.0 Mac OSX
Please comment below with your experiences.
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Date: August 22, 2009
Time: 6:15 am
Had trouble connecting to my Canon MP470 multifunction printer via Shareport 1.10/DIR-655 firmware 1.32NA. Uninstalled Shareport, installed SX-Virtual Link 3.2.3 and still no joy. Printer displays as Available, but attempts to connect fail and status reverts to Available.
Date: August 22, 2009
Time: 12:45 pm
I have noticed upon using it some more that when I use my mouse it will disconnect after about 15 minutes and even though it’s set to reconnect it will just sit there, not sure if it’s some sort of incompatibility with the mouse or if it happens to all devices.
Date: August 26, 2009
Time: 10:50 am
Hi Ben,
Thanks so much for trying to help us out. I got Shareport to run perfectly on my eMac using the download for Macs on Dlink’s website. However it’s my Lenovo X200 laptop running XPpro that sees the my Canon MP610 but can not connect. I have tried your fix up above but it did not work as I was having the same problem. D-Link has one big mess on the their hands.
Thanks Paul
Date: August 26, 2009
Time: 2:43 pm
They sure do Paul, now that I know that another company who seem to update it regularly are in charge of making the software I am confident at least the software will become more stable over time, however I think the main problem here is the flaky firmware on the routers that have the feature.
Date: August 28, 2009
Time: 6:04 am
I recently updated to the newest versions of the firmware and the shareport utility. It DID seem to work better at first, but now I’m having a serious problem that makes it almost unusable for my family.
The problem is that after some time, the computers running the utility cannot connect to the printer. They continually try to connect to the printer, but it just goes back to available status. I think that this is the same thing as some of you have already reported.
What I have found is that if I reboot the router, the computers that are not able to connect to the printer are immediately able to connect to it, and the spooled-up print job gets printed.
This shareport stuff has always been buggy for me. I’m disappointed in it.
Date: September 11, 2009
Time: 1:06 am
WOW. I was fighting with this shareport stuff for hours with the same issues as everyone. Installed this SX utility and INSTANT success. It works insanely fast as well!
Date: September 11, 2009
Time: 1:33 am
Hi Dan,
I am glad it worked for you. Are you running XP? Just curious. Thanks
Date: September 11, 2009
Time: 4:15 pm
Hi all, and thanks Ben for all your info.
I have the dir-655 with hardware A2 and recently updated firmware 1.32NA. I want to really use the SharePort feature, so i downloaded the utility from the d-link website. I have a Macbook 2nd generation Core2Duo with 10.5.8 Leopard. I also have an HP laptop running Vista.
Sharing an external hard drive works just fine, but I’m having the same trouble as everyone else, not being able to connect to my HP Photosmart C4280. It recognizes that it is “available,” but it is unable to connect to my macbook. I tried uninstalling the utility, and downloading instead the SX-Virtual Link like you suggested, but the same problem occurs.
Is there anything else special I must do to be able to share a printer?
Date: September 11, 2009
Time: 4:18 pm
oops…i meant dir-655 with hardware A4.
Date: September 14, 2009
Time: 6:48 am
Hi Paul,
I am actually using Vista Home Premium x64.
Interestingly after 3 days of success with SX Virtual Link, I have a new problem and it’s the apparently popular one where the device is disconnected after a few seconds of being in use.
Will provide updates when I get a fix.
Dan
Date: September 14, 2009
Time: 8:35 am
Hi Dan,
Isn’t frustrating with these apps that one day they work then the next they crap out! Well at least you had it working. Good luck with the fix. I am going to sit on the side lines until D-Link comes up with one.
To their credit they responded lightening fast to my e-mail last week asking them if a fix was in the pipeline. They responded within 5 hours and said yes, but an ETA has not been determined.
They should really post something front and center on their web site about the known problems with Shareport. Ah well wait we will.
Keep me posted on your progress. Good luck.
Paul
Date: September 14, 2009
Time: 9:41 am
Hi Paul,
Didn’t think I would be writing back so soon. I have the issue fixed. Rebooting the computer did not work. Rebooting the router did not work. Re-installing SX Virtual Link did not work. Believe it or not, unplugging and re-connecting the USB hub that I have my printer and MyBook connected to fixed the issue immediately. Unfortunately, I have a corrupted NTFS file system on the MyBook due to this issue, but on the other hand SX Virtual Link 3.2.3 is holding strong for over 3 hours while checkdisk runs
Hope you get some resolution to your issues as well.
Regards,
Dan
Date: September 23, 2009
Time: 6:10 am
How did you guys get virtual link to work on the DIR-655?
I installed it but it doesn’t see anything. Tried with usb key (which is seen on windows) and the printer.
Is there something to configure somewhere?
Thx
Date: September 23, 2009
Time: 11:25 am
The first time I tried it it wouldn’t work for me, I uninstalled it, made sure shareport was completely gone and reinstalled it and tried a few devices, my usb key wouldn’t work in it for some reason but everything else did. Does it show up your DIR-655 at all?
Date: September 23, 2009
Time: 8:57 pm
Actually i can’t see anything, but i wondered if i needed the latest firmware because I’m currently with the 1.21.
I hesitated to upgrade because of some problems i saw on dlink forum.
I’m still not sure. Often in forums, only people who have problems post, and i don’t know if they have just done a bad flash or what… And as it’s irreversible…
Date: September 23, 2009
Time: 9:38 pm
Hi QuarkZ,
You’re instincts are correct. Personally if I knew about all the *&(*&% problems with the new firmware 1.32NA I would have never upgraded to it. Stir clear until Dlink can get it’s act together for a fix for Shareport running on v1.32NA.
Stay well….Paul
Date: September 24, 2009
Time: 2:11 am
You’re correct QuarkZ, but with the new firmware as Paul says comes many issues, it’s best that if you’re on 1.21 to stay put for now in my opinion.
Date: September 24, 2009
Time: 2:17 am
OK then i’ll keep the current firmware.
Thx guys
Date: September 27, 2009
Time: 5:54 am
Thanks for this, shareport util from d-link dind’t work on my usb hdd/d-link 655, now with this utility it found it right away after the installation.
Firmware Version: 1.32NA HW A4
Date: November 30, 2009
Time: 8:24 am
Had the same issue. Had to reset the router and re-do the setup… Works fine now, except for the “Unknown Publisher” error when starting the program
Date: December 5, 2009
Time: 11:39 pm
Shareport is working for both mac and windows for me.
This is the set up I have.
Please note i have tried with all other firmware 1.3X, beta softwares and Other latest SX Virtual link software and also with DLINK Shareport software.
working
firmware: DIR 655 1.32 NA Build 01 Beta
Date on router firmware page – 2009/08/27
http://www.techgremlin.com/downloads/dir655_fw_132b04NA_beta01.zip
SX-Virtual Link for Windows 3.2.3 (10.9 MB) 20-08-2009
SX-Virtual Link for Mac OSX 3.1.0 (9.41 MB) 20-08-2009
Thanks a lot Ben.
Date: December 7, 2009
Time: 3:45 am
Hello i got the same problem.
I have a d-link dir 855 and connected a seagate extreme external hdd on it.
Is it maybe that the device connected to the sharepoint is going in to some kind of a sleep or a standby and the router can’t activated it?
Because if i dissconnect the external hdd and connect it with my pc my external hdd is beining activated.
And when i put the usb back in the sharepoint of the router than the sx virtual link works again.
And i can use my external hdd at the sharepoint.
But iff i wait to long and the external hdd doesn’t get a signal from my pc than the external goes to sleep and after a while i cannot connect to my external hdd anymore with sx virtual link.
Date: December 24, 2009
Time: 8:15 am
Thank you so much for sharing this. After shareport nightmares on Windows 7 (with a Laser Jet Printer), this is a GREAT solution. By the way, I noticed that the Internet speed drops to the ground while printing. Actually on shareport, my router dir 955 restarted frequently. Great help. God bless
Date: January 5, 2010
Time: 5:25 pm
Hi, seems like you all know alot about this router, and since I dont I just want to ask you all a question.
I want to use the shareport to get a 1T hd on my home nettwork, so that all the computers in the house can use it as a back up disk or to download and upload.
Even tho I have been googled it a lot I cant seem to find the answer to it.
What hard drives is compitable with the software.
All of them or …?
I have a WD My Book Essential Apollo 1TB, is this hd compitable with the d-link shareport?
Date: January 5, 2010
Time: 6:19 pm
There’s no way of really knowing what is compatible or not, I believe D-Link have said that all of them should work, but it is clear that some people seem to have problems. I can only really recommend the minimum you would need to get it working, it needs to have it’s own power source and shouldn’t be powered by the USB port, your drive’s model seems to fulfill that requirement from looking at the specs, other than that there’s really no way of knowing but to try it out.
I really recommend checking out other routers that can do this, I believe there are a few out now that are quite a bit newer than this router and they may have better compatibility, also….
The USB port on the DIR-655 is very slow, it takes a long time to copy large files so I don’t recommend it, however if you don’t have any other means of getting the drive shared to all computers it should be bearable.
Date: January 5, 2010
Time: 6:51 pm
I am European user of the Dlink DIR-655.
I have firmware FW v1.30EU running (currently latest EU version) with SharePort_v1.15.9.
Could not get sx-virtual_link_win_340 to work with it yet.
I found out that writing lage files (800MB and larger) to USB stick connected to DIR-655 is very slow. However reading is lightning fast. My test has been done while connected to GB port, via wireless its slow reading to (which makes sense).
Oscar.
Date: February 13, 2010
Time: 10:30 pm
To: Ben
Re: D-Link SharePort Update
I have given a try to this SX Virtual Link 3.4.0 Windows. Looks the problem remains as it was before. My HP printer connects after about 20 seond, then stays connected for 10 sec, then my Win7-64b issues a message for SX Virtual Link
“HP… did not dosconnect properly”, printer is disconnected, then it connects autmatically again for 20 sec, then disconnects, and so on… Shareport just does not connect at all until Dlink DIR-655 is rebooted.
Date: April 2, 2010
Time: 1:12 pm
Ben, I added my e-mail when I initially posted this (LONG) comment. E-mail me if you want copies of the screen-shots I was able to take. You can insert them where I’ve got the [image] descriptions.
———–
Wow! Thanks Ben, for the pointers to the SX Virtual-Link software.
I ended up downloading both the latest D-Link and Shareport files, plus I followed Ben’s link and downloaded the SX version of the SharePort software.
I updated the D-Link DIR-655 drivers to the latest version (1.33NA as of March 31, 2010) and that was all nice but didn’t help the printing situation.
I installed the latest version of D-Link’s Sharepoint software (version 4.9.5 as of March 31, 2010). Since my ability to print did not improve, I un-installed tha software and launched the installer for the SX Virtual Link v5.3.0 software.
Guys, I suspect this issue is so astoundingly simple it will make you want to kick yourself. Fortunately for me, I’m no longer as flexible as I was during my martial arts training years….
It was during the installation process for the SX Virtual Link software that I could see the salient difference. While the installer was quietly doing what it does, a warning message appeared that said something roughly like, “Shareport needs to create an exception through your Windows Firewall. Be forewarned that exceptions through your firewall can leave your computer vulnerable to viruses, trojans, swine flu, hurricanes, and Ragnarok.”
No, seriously, though. The SX Virtual Link installer gave me a warning that the software needed to add Shareport to the exception list in my firewall so things would work, but there were some standard dangers inherent in letting software make such an exception (particularly if the software is unfamiliar to you). The warning window had buttons so I could allow the exception and continue, or disallow the exception and stop installing the Sharepoint software.
Since it’s a hole in my firewall that goes through the 4 ports on the DIR-655 just over to that USB-A connector, I felt pretty confident I wasn’t opening a door to some Eritrean Bank Scammer who would commandeer my computer in the middle of the night and use it to send e-mails to unsuspecting lobbyists who just might be interested in quick-and-easy insurance investment profits. I clicked
The software then continued to do whatever it was doing, asked where I wanted my shortcuts, then asked if I wanted Shareport to start up with the computer (to which I answered ). When it finished what it was doing, I got another warning, noting that Shareport needed to detect USB devices. It then listed my keyboard, thumb drive, printer, mouse, Blackber—what!?! There’s a printer listed there?!
Since I knew there were now some new entries on my Firewall exceptions list, I quickly opened up Windows Firewall, navigated to the Exceptions tab, and found
[Image: Windows Firewall Interface > Exceptions Tab: Checkboxes for Network USB Utility, Network USB Utility, Network USB Utility UDP Port; SharePort, SharePort, SharePort.]
I selected the printer (a Hewlett Packard 832C) and told the Sharepoint to consider that its default connect-to device. Then I pulled up a document in MS-WORD and told WORD to print using the HP832C. My computer seemed to contemplate the matter for a moment, then spit my list of Zatoichi movies out on the printer. In other words….
IT WORKED!
Then I had to run off and take care of some honey-do errands.
Then next day, when I fired up my computer and logged in, the system went through its usual preparatory motions and then gave me an additional warning, noting that a start-up task was opening a hole in my firewall and such a practice was not recommended. Did I want to continue anyway? I checked yes, and told it that I didn’t want to be asked again. The system contemplated for a while. . .
[Image: SharePoint Icon “Preparing. Please wait…”]
. . .and then the warning faded to an icon in the taskbar.
So the key seems to be in specifically letting SharePort and the Network USB Utility poke holes in your firewall (Windows Firewall, or ZoneAlarm, or whatever you use). The D-Link version of the SharePort installer doesn’t bother to ask for permission this critical adjustment, and I’m suspecting it’s not even bothering to try to make that adjustment. Whether they’re assuming everyone will just instinctively know to create those exceptions, or whether they’re just too lazy to make the installer do that extra step, those of you (us) who have been complaining about the SharePort software not working and/or the DIR-655 not being able to work with our printers through the USB port end up losing a lot of valuable time, energy, and adrenaline because it doesn’t work.
Date: April 3, 2010
Time: 2:17 pm
Thanks Ben. I’ve been looking at this blog since last week when I got my DIR655. SX Virtual-Link software really WORKS. It even resolve my printing problem with HP C4280 and now can use the “Connect automatically only for printing” option. The DLink (re)branded version(SharePort) of this software really SUCKS!.
For sure D-Link folks are even getting ideas from this blog. If you ever get to this part…. yeah this part…The original software already works, use it and do not make any stupid changes, we now know that you only added Help File, changes some Icon, added Shareport as Windows service and as startup program, which didn’t do much except to fail.
btw, I’m currently on FW 1.32NA. Tried FW1.33 update but getting connection drops both wired/wireless.
Date: April 23, 2010
Time: 11:52 pm
THANKS very much for the sleuth work! I’ve finally managed to get it to work. Before I tried SX VIrtual Link, even though Windows Firewall showed SharePort & SharePort UDP allowed, it still didn’t work. After installing SX Virtual Link it does. I’m using a DIR-825 with 113NA firmware.
Date: May 4, 2010
Time: 12:24 pm
Hi,
I am pulling my hair out here now…. Last week I moved to a new pc using Windows 7 x64…. Now when I try to print anything at all “complex” I get get partial pages spitting out and again and again. However if I reboot the DIR-655 A2 FW: 1.34b03 I will get complete printouts for one or two times…..than back to partial prints; also the second or third partial pages often come out in psychedelic or monochrome colors…
Very Frustrating….. I have done the uninstall/reinstall driver drills…and everything else I can think of….Have posted on the DLink user forums…. Windows firewall has been tweaked also….
Please do check into this x64 bug….I am not the only one seeing this, and it occurs in both Shareport and Silex softwares….
Please help or point me in a direction….
Date: May 5, 2010
Time: 10:02 am
It sounds like there’s quite a few of those problems going on at the moment, perhaps it’s interfering with the connection at some point, usually there’s not too much that can be done until D-Link decide to update the software, though I would assume Silex have to update it first.
Date: May 6, 2010
Time: 11:19 pm
Thanks for the link to SX Virtual Link 3.4.0 Windows, I was so excited to think my brand new dlink 655 would finally work with my spanking new Seagate 1.5 t free agent.
But I have the same issue, connect, disconnect, connect, disconnect. I finally unplugged the seagate usb to get started on my work day. I cannot lose any more time troubleshooting new equipment. I just replaced my maxtor external which failed and I lost pic’s and audio files of course no other back-up. I will bookmark this blog in hopes there is an answer before my 90 day take back to costco is up.
Thanks
Date: May 7, 2010
Time: 4:06 am
Hi,
Thanks for the reply…. I have been working with a DLink tech about my shareport issues, but in the meantime I installed a small USB/Ethernet Print server off ebay for $25 and it resolves my issues.
Shareport is an interesting idea whose execution has been VERY hit or miss for users. For me with XP it has been really quite good…Win7 has obviously been a very different story….
Date: May 19, 2010
Time: 11:11 am
I just bought a DIR-655 and I agree with Ben that is a tremendous FIASCO. I had 2 Macs and 2 Pcs in my home network, plus a PS3. The Shareport is a joke. A crap in my macs and in a PC running 7 I never found my 500 GB external hard disk. I want to find some solution that I can plug a external hard disk to one router and can use DNLA, share the disk inside and outside of my lan. I think its a lot of imagination from my part… Thanks Ben!!
Date: May 24, 2010
Time: 10:05 am
Using DIR-655 with Vista 64 and an HP F4440 multi-use printer. Couldn’t connect with Shareport. Removed Shareport and installed SX Virtual Link 3.4.0 Windows. Works fine now. Thanks for the tip.
Date: May 26, 2010
Time: 4:32 pm
Using the DIR-855 (1.22NA) and Windows XP, the problem isn’t fixed with either Dlink’s Sharepoint utility 3.0.0 nor SX Virtual Link 3.4.0. Further more, the utility is not able to configure auto-connect, as it can’t find the printer drivers even though they have been installed.
Date: June 14, 2010
Time: 6:35 am
Oooops spoke to soon. SX Virtual Link 3.4.0 did manage to find the printer and work, but…. same problems as Sammydad1 above. Partial prints on several pages.
Date: July 12, 2010
Time: 11:48 pm
Thanks for the post.
On my Mac (10.5.8) SX Virtual Link 3.3 works neatly!
Never got the Shareport utility from D-link to work.
Date: July 14, 2010
Time: 8:14 pm
Just installed a new DIR-655, HW=A4, 1.32NA. Really need a 1 Gb USB drive to be a pseudoNAS using Sharepoint. Sharepoint worked fine on an Asus netbook running Win 7 starter. Then installed on a Vista 32 and a Vista 64. In both cases – and wired or wireless – the device would be slow to connect, connect for a moment, immediately disconnect, then try to reconnect. Same behavior with three USB storage devices -all work with the Win 7S client, none with the Vista clients. Awful. I uninstalled Sharepoint from the Vista clients and installed SX Virtual Link 3.4.0 Windows. The Vista 64 client is perfect. The Vista 32 client was perfect when I was logged in (administrator). When another user is logged in (user, not administrator) – same behavior as before – long time to connect, then immediate disconnect. Reproducible – I can log in to the Vista 32 client and SX Virtual Link 3.4.0 Windows works perfectly. Some data useful for debugging. Anyone else see this behavior?
Date: July 14, 2010
Time: 10:52 pm
Hate to reply to my own comment, but more data… Here’s the behavior of the Vista 32 laptop relative to admin login… If I login as a user (not admin), SX Virtual Link 3.4.0 fails to connect to the USB drive. If – while it trying and failing – I switch users to me (an admin) – BOOM – SX Virtual Link 3.4.0 succeeds and the USB drive is available for *both* user and admin. Now, if I log off as admin and log back in as user, everything is still fine. If I disconnect now and try to reconnect – FAIL. So, it seems to me that SX Virtual Link 3.4.0 implicitly requires an admin login, but fails to offer the opportunity to supply an admin password if a non-admin user attempts to initiate a connection.
Date: July 15, 2010
Time: 5:02 am
I’ve finished with this “Share” stuff after many hours of unsuccessful attempts to make work as intended.
I’ve bought an USB Server for my printer and many other USB devices to be connected to home network, for about $30 on eBay. Works great from the first moment it’s connected to DIR-655 via Ethernet cable. I have Vista 32 & 64 bit, and Win 7 64 bit PC connected to the net. So, I recommend this solution to all who’s frustrated with this Shareport.
Date: July 15, 2010
Time: 10:11 am
Hi there any4room…I too gave up on Shareport almost a year ago. Can you tell me the model you bought off of eBay? I like to investigate this option that you presented. Thank you for a great solution!!!
Date: July 15, 2010
Time: 11:39 am
To: Yukon721
Hi,
If you wish Multifunction Server (printer, scanner, storage, etc.), this is my solution:
http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-2-0-Devices-MFP-Printer-over-Ethernet-Server-/320561432404?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aa2f34754#ht_4456wt_1133
If you like a printer server only, look at this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-2-0-LPR-Print-Server-Printer-Network-Wireless-Wired-/180505244915?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a06f374f3#ht_5231wt_1037
Sure it solves D-Link Shareport non-connectivity.
Date: July 16, 2010
Time: 3:18 am
25$ for a mfc print server seems low. Do you have that unit?
Date: July 16, 2010
Time: 4:48 am
to: sammydad1
Sure I do. Same one. Try to contact with this seller (kitty something…) I have it for about 2 months already, works great. I saw other stuff on the Net and eBay, like HP or similar. You’re right it sells for more, but this one just do the same job for you for less. My opinion…
Date: July 16, 2010
Time: 8:16 am
Thanks very much for the information.
Date: July 16, 2010
Time: 10:18 am
Any4,
Can you get “feedback” from your printer such as ink levels using that $25 MFC server ? That has been my only gripe about my $25 USB print server….I have to guess my ink levels, but it works great for printing.
I f you can get ink levels from that $25 MFC unit, I might consider buying one from Miss Kitty….
Date: July 16, 2010
Time: 12:39 pm
to: Sammydad1
it is fully functional. It works as I were connected directly to it. Maintenance, everything. They have a list of tested devices, based also on OS. Check it 1st. Mine is HP PSC 1315 multifunctional with scanner and copier. All works remotely from any computer connected in my home net. The only limitation you can do it from one only computer at a time. You need to disconnect from one PC in order to connect from another.
Date: July 24, 2010
Time: 6:34 pm
to: any4room
You need to disconnect from one PC in order to connect from another? What happened to “share” in SharePort? Has anyone connected with a Canon DR2580C scanner?
Date: July 25, 2010
Time: 1:10 pm
You can set it to do it automatically, you still can only have one computer connected at a time but it will automatically connect to it when needed and disconnect as soon as it’s finished, so you’d only really have trouble in an environment with many computers trying to use it.
Date: July 25, 2010
Time: 10:41 pm
to: blackjack
Read prev. comments: it is not about Shareport anymore, which doesn’t seem to work properly ever…