Printer Sharing: Ideal to 'Home-Networking'

[MapleE.]

Hi:
I have two identical hp pavillion computers with WindowsXP, sitting side by
side on the big table.
I want to make 'one printer' for Home-Networking with two computers.

Wonder what form of printer is ideal/good to make successful
Home-Networking?

I wouldn't mind to spend mid-range priced-printer which has all-in-purpose
feature,
particularly I need 'copy,' in addition to 'scan' and printing.

Any good successful experience on 'Sharing Printer' would be truly
appreciated.

 

[eric_d_green]

Option 1:
Any printer will work.... simply connect it to one of the computers.
After it is installed properly go to Control Panel, Printer and right
click the printer and choose Sharing. This will allow you to share the
printer out. You can then go to the other printer and find the other
printer in my network places and the printer should be seen. If you
double click the printer it will install the share (if you do this the
computer connected directly to the computer must be on for the other to
print)

Option 2:
Get a 'network print server' (small box that looks like a hub that you
can connect a USB based printer into) from your local computer store.
Again you can use any computer and you would simply plug the comptuer
into the print server. After configuring the print server with a valid
IP address on both comptuers and go to control panel, printers, add a
new printer, go to add port, add the ip address of the printer and then
install the print drivers.

Option 3:

If you have an LPT1 type printer (NOT USB) you could purchase a switch
for the printer. Basically it has two outputs and one input. You
would have to LPT cables going to the computers to the printer switch
box and then another cable going to the printer. Both printers would
think it was a local printer.

 

[Guest]

Eric is right. We have happily shared two home computers to an HP Officejet
6110 all-in-one that will print, fax, copy, and flat bed scan and is
reasonably priced and widely available (as are other similar versions). The
"main" computer that is connected to the printer must be on for the secondary
computer to access the shared printer.
The secondary user must actually get up and walk from one room to another to
check the "on" status. It also helps to check if paper (or the correct
paper) is in the tray before hitting "pint." The other user may be using it
concurrently, and if you want photo ink on photo paper, you may find the
other user has loaded regular ink and paper, for instance.