USB Switch Box when sharing one printer with multiple computers?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ANTant
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A

ANTant

Hello!

When I had printers that used parallel cables and ports for about a
decade, I used a parallel switch box to connect to between computers. I
am not always using the same computer, and I don't have to go and switch
cables and stuff. Not all computers are always on at the same time so I
can't use network sharing.

Since I have a new printer that doesn't have parallel support, I must
use USB. Is an USB switch box be reasonable for this? I use Debian/Linux,
Windows (98-XP), and MacOS X 10.2.8.

Is this the best way? If so, then which brands should I be getting from
local retail stores (e.g., CompUSA, Best Buy, Fry's Electronics, etc.)?
I only need two computers support minimum.

Thank you in advance. :)
--
"Whenever I see an old lady slip and fall on a wet sidewalk, my first instinct is to laugh. But
then I think, what if I was an ant, and she fell on me. Then it wouldn't seem quite so funny."
--Saturday Night Live FAQ: Deep Thoughts
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Cari \(MS-MVP\) said:
Have you considered a Print Server?
http://www.linksys.com/products/group.asp?grid=34&scid=32
Click to expand...

I don't want it to be on a network.
--
"Whenever I see an old lady slip and fall on a wet sidewalk, my first instinct is to laugh. But
then I think, what if I was an ant, and she fell on me. Then it wouldn't seem quite so funny."
--Saturday Night Live FAQ: Deep Thoughts
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Ant @ The Ant Farm: http://antfarm.ma.cx
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links: http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
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I don't want it to be on a network.
Click to expand...

Have seen usb switch-boxes; not cheap & so decided not to get one.
Compusa has them listed on the webpage; also some other websites
& many list the usb switchbox by Belkin, available in both
"auto mode" and manual switch mode.
 
Have seen usb switch-boxes; not cheap & so decided not to get one.
Compusa has them listed on the webpage; also some other websites
& many list the usb switchbox by Belkin, available in both
"auto mode" and manual switch mode.
Click to expand...

Which ones on CompUSA.com? I am thinking it was like the old fashion
switch boxes (A/B knob). How does the new one work? What happens if
both computers want to use the same printer?
--
"Whenever I see an old lady slip and fall on a wet sidewalk, my first instinct is to laugh. But
then I think, what if I was an ant, and she fell on me. Then it wouldn't seem quite so funny."
--Saturday Night Live FAQ: Deep Thoughts
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Ant @ The Ant Farm: http://antfarm.ma.cx
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links: http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
( )
 
Hello!

When I had printers that used parallel cables and ports for about a
decade, I used a parallel switch box to connect to between computers. I
am not always using the same computer, and I don't have to go and switch
cables and stuff. Not all computers are always on at the same time so I
can't use network sharing.

Since I have a new printer that doesn't have parallel support, I must
use USB. Is an USB switch box be reasonable for this? I use Debian/Linux,
Windows (98-XP), and MacOS X 10.2.8.

Is this the best way? If so, then which brands should I be getting from
local retail stores (e.g., CompUSA, Best Buy, Fry's Electronics, etc.)?
I only need two computers support minimum.

Thank you in advance. :)
Click to expand...
Reading between the lines I think I see that the computers you have are
networked together, just they aren't on at the same time. That is
exactly how my network works. I am using one of the D-Link print servers
that hook up to the Ethernet on your network. The one I have has a USB
port and two parallel ports. It works excellent! I have a Canon ink
jet on the USB port that stays on all the time and two lasers on the
parallel ports that I only turn on when I use them. I can get to the
canon from any machine (about 12) and can get to any laser if I have
them on. A couple of the laptops are hooked up wireless but they talk
to the server just as well as the others. The server was about $70.00
at COMP-USA. It works so well that my wife will use it. She sometimes
has little patience with my computer goodies when they don't work just
right.

John
 
john said:
Reading between the lines I think I see that the computers you have are
networked together, just they aren't on at the same time. That is
exactly how my network works. I am using one of the D-Link print servers
that hook up to the Ethernet on your network. The one I have has a USB
port and two parallel ports. It works excellent! I have a Canon ink
jet on the USB port that stays on all the time and two lasers on the
parallel ports that I only turn on when I use them. I can get to the
canon from any machine (about 12) and can get to any laser if I have
them on. A couple of the laptops are hooked up wireless but they talk
to the server just as well as the others. The server was about $70.00
at COMP-USA. It works so well that my wife will use it. She sometimes
has little patience with my computer goodies when they don't work just
right.
Click to expand...

Well, I wanted to avoid any networking. :)
--
"Ever watch ants just crawling around? They walk in that single straight line, a long, a long, long
mile of ants. Sometimes they will walk over and pick up their dead friends and carry those around.
I'm pretty sure it's because they can get in the carpool lane and pass up that line." --Ellen
DeGeneres
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Ant @ The Ant Farm: http://antfarm.ma.cx
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links: http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
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