Need help connecting 2 computers to one printer at the same time.

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Guest

I've been successfully printing for months between my printer (HP Deskjet 648c) and my Compaq laptop (Presario 900) using an LPT (25-pin) cord. I'm now sharing my home office and have a second computer; we want to share the one printer. The additional computer was recently connected to this printer with an LPT cord and printed successfully. (We have not set up--nor really want--to "network" the computers.) Since the printer has both an LPT and USB port, and at the suggestion of the sales mgr. at Office Max, I purchased a USB cable to connect my laptop to this printer in addition to the LPT cord that my partner's computer is connected to the printer with. Now, however, NEITHER computer is able to communicate fully with it. My laptop "activates" the printer (and the install wizard says it's properly installed) but the resulting printed page is just a single line of symbols, not the desired text. My partner cannot print at all now. We're guessing that we need to reset something in the Properties but really don't know what we're doing. :)
 
Most printers allow you to connect the parallel port OR the USB port--NOT
both!
(Hi Ho, a networking we will go! ) or, just bite the bullet, and get another
printer.
Naturally, you will likely spring for a multi-function, have problems, and
be back to visit again!

Loanimals said:
I've been successfully printing for months between my printer (HP Deskjet
Click to expand...
648c) and my Compaq laptop (Presario 900) using an LPT (25-pin) cord. I'm
now sharing my home office and have a second computer; we want to share the
one printer. The additional computer was recently connected to this printer
with an LPT cord and printed successfully. (We have not set up--nor really
want--to "network" the computers.) Since the printer has both an LPT and USB
port, and at the suggestion of the sales mgr. at Office Max, I purchased a
USB cable to connect my laptop to this printer in addition to the LPT cord
that my partner's computer is connected to the printer with. Now, however,
NEITHER computer is able to communicate fully with it. My laptop "activates"
the printer (and the install wizard says it's properly installed) but the
resulting printed page is just a single line of symbols, not the desired
text. My partner cannot print at all now. We're guessing that we need to
reset something in the Properties but really don't know what we're doing. :)
 
I've seen a printer connected in his fashion several times... it does work
OK provided BOTH PCs don't try to print at once.... at which point all hell
breaks loose!
 
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