installing scanner on peer to peer?

[Joe Zorzin]

I bought a Dell 8200 2 years ago. It's got 2 printers and a scanner. I just
bought a new Dell 3000 to use mostly for backing up files and for an
emergency computer. Both computers have XP Pro.

I just networked them and I see that both printers are already networked
automatically. So, how do I now network the scanner? A friend suggested
installing the HP Scanjet 4570C software on the new computer- but, when I do
that, will it successfully find the scanner on the network? I've never done
networking before.

Or, do I tell the new computer to find new hardware? Then install the
software?

 

[Guest]

To network a HP Printer+scanner you need a HP Jetdirect print-server.

You can't share a standalone parallel port, USB, FireWire or SCSI scanner.

Dave

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I bought a Dell 8200 2 years ago. It's got 2 printers and a scanner.
I just bought a new Dell 3000 to use mostly for backing up files and
for an emergency computer. Both computers have XP Pro.

I just networked them and I see that both printers are already
networked automatically. So, how do I now network the scanner? A
friend suggested installing the HP Scanjet 4570C software on the new
computer- but, when I do that, will it successfully find the scanner
on the network? I've never done networking before.

Or, do I tell the new computer to find new hardware? Then install
the
software?

Normally, input devices cannot be shared, at all, but this isn't
always true of scanners. You'll be able to share the scanner only if
it's manufacturer provided specialized software for that purpose.

You have to use a network-capable scanner (which immediately
eliminates most, if not all, USB scanners) and specialized software
(that comes with the scanner) to do this. If you're talking about a
home consumer grade flatbed USB or parallel port scanner, you very
probably can't.

HP, Canon, Xerox, Océ, Kyocera Mita, and other companies
manufacture network capable scanners (They're actually multi-function
devices that also copy, print, and sometimes fax and email) and the
requisite specialized software. The cost of such devices usually
starts somewhere just below $5,000.00 USD.

The HP PrecisionScan Pro application, versions 2.03 and higher,
which normally comes with some of HP's low-end business scanners,
permits some of the scanning functions to be shared. Consult the
documentation that came with the scanner. (I know it works, if not
very well; I've set up HP ScanJet 6300C and 7490C devices to be
shared, using the supplied software.)

--

Bruce Chambers

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[Guest]

Bruce:

That's interesting. It looks like we both have HALF the picture. You
indicate the HP Precision Pro software is shareable. I have never done this
and I was under the impression that it is not possible.

You mentioned High End devices and indicate a price tag just under $5,000
US. However, there are many inexpensive devices from HP for $350~$650 US.
HP 1100A - laser printer+scanner, use a HP External Jet Direct to share on LAN
HP 1220 - laser printer+scanner, use a HP External Jet Direct to share on LAN
HP OfficeJet - (older models)
HP K80 - inkjet printer+scanner+FAX, use a HP External Jet Direct to share
on LAN
HP G95 - inkjet printer+scanner+FAX, use a HP External Jet Direct to share
on LAN
HP OfficeJet - (current models)
HP 7310 - inkjet printer+scanner+FAX, has internal Jet Direct ~$400 US
HP 7410 - inkjet printer+scanner+FAX, has internal Jet Direct, RJ45 and
WireLess $500.00

I mention the HP 1100 laser, 1220 laser, K80, and G95 becuase I have all of
them in my office and I know all of them scan over the LAN. However, unless
you are situated near the device, LAN based scanners are more trouble than
they are worth. To really use a scanner the PC and the scanner need to be
near each other otherwise you have the person running back and forth between
the computer and scanner.

I also have a Xerox 432st it has network scanner and printer capabilities.
However, the scanner works through TCP/IP and uses email to send the scanned
image back to the user. We don's use that capability since we are on an
Exchange server and it uses SMTP mail and either an imported CSV address book
or LDAP server. But, it makes a great network printer. It is high speed and
prints duplex.

Dave

 

[Joe Zorzin]

Well, maybe I'm outa luck- not important- like I said, the second computer
is for storing backups and to use if my primary computer crashes- if that
happens, I'll have to install the printers directly to the new computer and
the scanner too. If the primary computer is working fine, then I have my
scanner already. I'm new to the complexities of networking, so I was just
curious.