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Sharing USB Printer...

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Name: Stretch87
Date: December 28, 2005 at 14:02:41 Pacific
OS: xp pro sp2
CPU/Ram: 3500+/1gb
Comment:

We have one USB printer that we want to share between two computer. We are tired of going under the desk to switch the USB back and forth from each computer.

Do they make hardware that will allow you to share a printer with two computers? If so what is it called?



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Response Number 1
Name: wemby089
Date: December 28, 2005 at 14:05:14 Pacific
Reply:


Its called a router----$20.00 on ebay


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Response Number 2
Name: Stretch87
Date: December 28, 2005 at 14:14:25 Pacific
Reply:

Don't Routers share internet connections. Please be more specific, I am new to this. Please give link to what I need.

I have a router to share internet, but I want hardware that will allow me to put a USB cable from each computer into this little hub, then from the hub to the printer.


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Response Number 3
Name: Dirty_Sanchez
Date: December 28, 2005 at 14:45:49 Pacific
Reply:

do you currently have a network setup between the two PC's for internet connection sharing? If so, all you need to do is setup a defined share. If not, there are several options (one of which is to do what I just asked) or you can use a crossover cable between the two NICS and share the printer. List what you have setup topology and hardware wise and I'll tell you the quickest/easiest way to pull it off


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Response Number 4
Name: stretch87
Date: December 28, 2005 at 15:07:43 Pacific
Reply:

Acutally, I have a router, be we are just sharing our internet connection through a hub because our internet modem already has a F'wall in it

So, our modem is acting as a firewall, and we have our ethernet cables hooked up to a hub.


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Response Number 5
Name: Firehawk
Date: December 28, 2005 at 15:35:55 Pacific
Reply:

All you need is the hub. You just need to make sure that the computers are on the same workgroup. (If you right click my computer, go to properties, select the computer name tab, and choose "Change" you can change the workgroup that the computer is on if necessary) Then once you have both computers on the same workgroup, go to the computer where the printer is physically connected. if you go to the control panel, and then go to printers all you need to do is right click the printer, go to properties, select the sharing tab (assuming you are running windows xp) then if you get there and see an option that says "if you understand the security risks and want to share the printer without running the wizard" click it. On the popup window select the option to just enable printer sharing.

Now on the second computer, go to the control panel, double click the printers icon. Select add a printer, then select the option for a network printer, on the next screen select browse for printer and next. then on the next screen you should be able to navigate to the printer. Select it and follow the prompts.

Hope that all helps. If you need any clarification just let me know.


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Response Number 6
Name: Firehawk
Date: December 28, 2005 at 15:48:04 Pacific
Reply:

Also for clarification, I assume your router has a built in switch. I say switch and not hub because hubs are older technologies that aren't really made anymore due to the inexpensivness of switches. For time sake lets just say switches are much smarter and better than hubs. If you have a hub you might think of looking into a switch. Again they are cheap. (And yes, routers are different than hubs and switches).


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Response Number 7
Name: wemby089
Date: December 28, 2005 at 16:22:36 Pacific
Reply:

You dont need a hub or a switch, set up your network (which you already have) and the computer that is plugged into the printer leave on and just share your printer(right click on the printer and set to share). From the other computer delete all printers and set up a new printer and for location browse your local area network for the printer. Windows will load the driver and you are set. You dont need to buy anything.


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Response Number 8
Name: stretch87
Date: December 28, 2005 at 18:03:47 Pacific
Reply:

Fellas, you guys are heroes.

THANK YOU!!


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Response Number 9
Name: jonnord
Date: January 18, 2006 at 17:13:51 Pacific
Reply:

I am interested in sharing a USB multifunction printer across a USB network so that each workstation can use the scanning capability.

Any ideas?



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Response Number 10
Name: Firehawk
Date: January 20, 2006 at 09:48:07 Pacific
Reply:

Just add that printer to each pc by loading its software to all of the pc's attached to the network. I am sharing a multifunction printer right now across my network and it allows all individuals to use it as a scanner, printer, fax, etc.


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