Need help making a network printer

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mike
  • Start date Start date
M

Mike

I have three computers networked with XP on a router. I have a printer
hooked up to one of the computers and "share" it with the other 2 in
order for them to print.

My question is, how can I connect the printer directly to the router?
I would like to do this so the one computer I have it hooked to
doesn't always have to be on. It is a USB printer so I am not sure
what I need to do to get this accomplished. Let me know what I need to
do or buy.

Thanks
Mike
 
(e-mail address removed) (Mike) wrote in
My question is, how can I connect the printer directly to the router?
I would like to do this so the one computer I have it hooked to
doesn't always have to be on. It is a USB printer so I am not sure
what I need to do to get this accomplished. Let me know what I need to
do or buy.
Click to expand...


If it is a USB printer, you'll need a USB compatible print server. USB
printer servers are rare and expensive - HP has a couple of USB models.

Does your printer have a Parallel connection? If so, use your parallel port
instead of the USB connection.
 
Lucas Tam said:
(e-mail address removed) (Mike) wrote in



If it is a USB printer, you'll need a USB compatible print server. USB
printer servers are rare and expensive - HP has a couple of USB models.

Does your printer have a Parallel connection? If so, use your parallel port
instead of the USB connection.
Click to expand...

It's a new printer so it only has the USB connection. The parallel
connection wouldn't solve the problem of having it hooked to a single
computer. I have various computers throughout the home and all can
print to this printer. However, the printer is hooked to a specific
computer and sometimes the wife likes to turn it off. When I want to
print, sometimes it isnt possible due to her computer being off. Silly
and lazy I know, but I want the printer to run directly to the router.
I guess I could break down and get a network printer HP 5N or
something but I was just wondering if there was a way to connect a
simple USB printer to an ethernet network so I don't have to spend
anymore cash.

Mike
 
(e-mail address removed) (Mike) wrote in @posting.google.com:
I guess I could break down and get a network printer HP 5N or
something but I was just wondering if there was a way to connect a
simple USB printer to an ethernet network so I don't have to spend
anymore cash.
Click to expand...

Linksys and Dlink both have USB printer servers. They maybe cheaper than
HP.

Do you turn off your computer often? Could you have the printer hooked upto
your PC instead, and share it via a Windows File/Printer Share?
 
Mike said:
It's a new printer so it only has the USB connection. The parallel
connection wouldn't solve the problem of having it hooked to a single
computer. I have various computers throughout the home and all can
print to this printer. However, the printer is hooked to a specific
computer and sometimes the wife likes to turn it off. When I want to
print, sometimes it isnt possible due to her computer being off. Silly
and lazy I know, but I want the printer to run directly to the router.
I guess I could break down and get a network printer HP 5N or
something but I was just wondering if there was a way to connect a
simple USB printer to an ethernet network so I don't have to spend
anymore cash.

Mike
Click to expand...

A USB printer server may cost a bit much. A more inexpensive way would be
to pick up a new router that has a USB printer port.
http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=272 Sells for under $60 on Amazon.com.
Other manufacturers should have something similar. If you presently have a
wireless router, they have some models with USB printer support as well, but
for a premium price.
 
Thanks for all your help. I found a Treadware Printer USB printer
server for under $80 that has 2 USB ports and 1 Parallel. I needed one
that has more than one USB port and this was the only one I could
find. I will be hooking up 2 printers to the network, one color inkjet
and 1 laser. I just hope that my LExmark color printer can run off the
server, it says "most" printers will run, and I can't find any lists
of non-compatible printers.

Thanks again
MIke
 
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