printing

[Sanford Aranoff]

How can two computers share the same printer? Is there another way other
than an AB switch? If not, how is it done? One computer connected to the
printer. The second connected to the first computer via a usb cable, via
a router, or how?

Thanks.

 

[Malke]

How can two computers share the same printer? Is there another way
other than an AB switch? If not, how is it done? One computer
connected to the printer. The second connected to the first computer
via a usb cable, via a router, or how?

Of course two computers can share the same printer. Create a home
network and share the printer. The easiest way is:

1. Router
2. Connect both computers to router with ethernet cable
3. Run Network Setup Wizard on both computers to create home network
4. Share the printer that is connected to the one computer
5. Add the printer to the other computer

Since you've asked such a basic and general question, here are some
links to help you visualize networking and how to set one up.

Linksys Learning Center - http://tinyurl.com/8ka4w
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/myths.htm
http://www.ezlan.net/index.html
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/using-network-setup-wizard-in-windows.html

Malke

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

How can two computers share the same printer? Is there another way
other than an AB switch? If not, how is it done? One computer
connected to the printer. The second connected to the first computer
via a usb cable, via a router, or how?

Connect the two computers via a network interface card in each and a
crossover ethernet cable (no router is required for only two computers).
Enable file and printer sharing, install the printer driver on the computer
that the printer is not connected to as a network printer, and share the
printer.

 

[Gordon]

install the printer driver on the computer
that the printer is not connected to as a network printer,

That happens automatically when you choose "network printer" on the remote
machine AFAIK......