HOOKING UP TWO PRINTERS TO ONE PC

[SHARON]

IN THE OLD DAYS WE HAD AN AB SWITCH TO SWITCH FROM TWO
DIFFERENT PRINTERS HOOKED UP TO THE SAME PC. DOES THIS
STILL EXIST? IF NOT IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE TO PRINTERS
HOOKED UP TO ON PC?

 

[Cari MS-MVP]

USB is the way to go. XP does not support piggy backing of LPT devices, and
although A/B switches can be found, they are legacy devices and I wouldn't
advise anyone to go down that road anymore! It's like taking a step
backwards, when you should be moving forwards.

Cari
www.coribright.com

 

[Adi]

Yes, you must buy PCI card with output for LPT port etc.
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Thomas Ferguson]

It can be done successfully; however, I do not recommend it. Note:
Microsoft neither recommends nor supports the use of switching devices on
the parallel ports.

If you are intent:
Make sure the switch is good quality and switches all the lines required
for bi-directional printer support - IEEE compliant, if possible.

Connect each printer to the PC in turn and install the drivers according
to the instructions. In use, select the appropriate driver before
printing.

If using printers that connect by parallel ports, better to purchase a
PCI card with the needed ports. Install that and install each to a
dedicated port. You will have the bonus of being able to print from
different applications to different printers simultaneously, if desired.
They are not expensive.

Tom
MSMVP-DTS


: IN THE OLD DAYS WE HAD AN AB SWITCH TO SWITCH FROM TWO
: DIFFERENT PRINTERS HOOKED UP TO THE SAME PC. DOES THIS
: STILL EXIST? IF NOT IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE TO PRINTERS
: HOOKED UP TO ON PC?