Hi,
At home I have a print server which I use to share my printer across the network. My printer burned out recently and I'm considering buying a multfunction printer. If I connect the printer to my network, will I still be able to use the printer's scanner by at least one computer? if so, how?

Thanks,

Norbert

nsp

If anyone wishes to scan anything in your home they will need to physically go to the multifunction to do that. This means that any remote use is a moot point.
Is you print server a fully functional computer? If so, for scanning functions it might be best to simply perform them at the server. Once an image has been saved on the server it should ba accessable thruout the network.
As far as printing goes I have seen printers that can't be networked but I would think that wouldn't be the case with a multifunction machine. It would be wise to verify that the unit can be networked. Also that drivers are available for ALL the OSes you currently run on your network.

Hi,

no the print server is a dedicated print server i.e. not a pc but a network computer plugged directly into the router.

That's basically the problem, to use the printer, each machine has the printer drivers and then I set up virtual ports to connect to it - its all standard windows functionality.

I can understand that you need to go to the machine to use the scanner - but which machine? since its connected straight to the router? I wonder whether setting the virtual port would get the scanner to work as well

nsp

Scanners need to be connected to a PC

http://www.remote-scan.com/

I have an older PC that I use as a file/ print server. There are three printers connected to it. A parallel connect wide format inkjet, a letter size inkjet and a color laser. It is a complete PC with KB/mouse/display. It is connected to my router as are all my other computers. The router in turn is connected to my Cable Modem. My scanner is connected to my main computer. Sharing it isn't practical as I don't leave it turned on continously. Connecting this way makes anything you share ANYWHERE in the network accessable to any other computer on the network. The issue, even if you connect a multifunction printer in this manner I am not sure the software would allow multi-users.