Networking a printer

[Sportsman]

Hi

Is there an easy way to connect two computers to the same printer ?

Both computers are on XP and both have the printer driver loaded. I just need to know what cables etc are needed and what to do with them.

In a similar vein, is there a way to connect two computers so that I can back up the wotk I have done on one computer onto the other, without using an external device

 

Thanks

[IanR]

Is the printer USB or parallel?

 

If USB, something like this: http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quick...gationKey=11128

 

If Parallel, something like this: http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criter...9N&DOY=20m3

 

 

If your PC's are both equipped with ethernet cards, you could use a crossover cable http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-Cat5e-Mould...w/dp/B0002254QG to connect them.

 

 

 

Cheers

 

Ian.

[nick]

If you network them as suggested with a crossover cable then you will also be able to share the printer, and you just connect the printer to one PC and use it as a network printer on the other, so no need for extra cables.

 

If you don't have network cards in the PC's let me know, I've a couple of USB network connectors you can have. (I don't like USB for networking, but most folks seem to find it OK, probably 'cos I remember when USB network connectors were total crap!) I guess if you want the usb connectors then I could make you a cross-over cable too, so just let me know how long.

[Andy_1984]

if both pc connect wirelessly to your internet through the same router then you dont need the cross over cable, if they dont then use a cross over cable with printer coneccted to one computer.

 

once you have done any of the above go to the computer with the printer and go to Start > Control panel > Printers and faxes

 

if you havnt already installed your printer on the computer do so now, ok so its installed now see your printer in the "Printers and faxes" window, right click it and click Sharing...

 

then Sharing > share this printer.

 

now go to the other computer and go to printers and faxes again and from the menu on the left select add printer.

 

the add printer wizard will appear, select "a networks printer, or printer attached to another computer"

 

click next.

 

select browse for printer and click next

 

you should see somthing like MSHOME or WORKGROUP followed by the name of your computer with the printer attached

 

double click it till you see the name of the printer.

 

that should be it hopefuly unless the computer that you just networked to the other computer cant recognise the printer drivers in which case it will tell you it cant. simply select have disk on what ever pops up and insert your printer cd in and install them from their if you dont have the cd try looking for the drivers on the list of what it gives you otherwise download them from the internet, install and do this all over again

[ColinW]

Once you've set up your network, put a folder on one of your computers and enable sharing (right click the folder and look for the Sharing option). You can the transfer data between the two computers via this folder.

[Sportsman]

Thanks for all of your help

Looks like the USB switch will do what I need (not being too technical)

Thanks again

Dave

[Andy_1984]

Thanks for all of your help

Looks like the USB switch will do what I need (not being too technical)

Thanks again

Dave

 

it aint all the dificult, probably easier than a usb switch, cross over cable now probably costs under a quid. plus has more advatages as colin stated, you can also share the internet with one of the computers if its connected directly to the net which is always handy

Edited March 20, 2007 by Andy_1984

[bigdavewsf]

brilliant stuff andy...works a treat

[Andy_1984]

brilliant stuff andy...works a treat

 

 

no problem

[Sportsman]

it aint all the dificult, probably easier than a usb switch, cross over cable now probably costs under a quid. plus has more advatages as colin stated, you can also share the internet with one of the computers if its connected directly to the net which is always handy

 

I am sure you are right Andy but WTF is a crossover cable and where does it go :lol: