Another computer question.

[oldcro]

My present Dell PC is hardwired to a Netgear wireless router and a Sony laptop uses wireless connection. The laser printer is only used from the Dell so is hardwired to it.

Can I connect the printer to the router so both computers could use it? I am thinking here of an Ethanet to USB cable from printer to router so both computers can access the printer.

Then if I connect wireless USB adapter to a second printer (photoprinter) could both computers use either printer?

I'm getting confused myself at this rate so one last question.

I am about to order an Apple iMac 3.06ghz desktop to replace the Dell and run Apple OS and Windows Vista on it. No problem using the printers with Apple and Microsoft OS's with suitable drivers is there?

Thanks for your patients in reading this far.

NURSE! where are my tablets.

 

[W210 Fan]

you should be able to use the printer on the laptop if you run the add printer wizard on the OS (I assume its XP) on the laptop and search for the printer, similar setup here works and saves buying any new cables and adaptors, therefore a new printer could be installed the same way for use on both machines,

 

[whitenemesis]

I think you will need to have some sort of print server software to run the printer on a network as you describe.

If your printer supports Mac (i.e. has Mac drivers available) then all fine for the change to Mac

 

[Dieselman]

Can I connect the printer to the router so both computers could use it? I am thinking here of an Ethanet to USB cable from printer to router so both computers can access the printer.

Is there such a cable, I doubt it as the protocols are different. You would need a usb to ethernet powered hub for this to work, I think.

 

[oldcro]

Thanks everyone for your input, much appreciated. I think I will just use the printers via the desktop. Anything on the laptop that needs printing can be transferred to the desktop. I think I was trying to make things a bit too complicated as it's just for home use.

 

[W210 Fan]

you dont need print server software running its all included in XP, I have 1 printer here, 1 desktop and 2 laptops, all print to the same printer which is plumbed into the desktop machine, I have setup my fathers house the same, way, some of the network cables are 100m long and span 3 terraced houses!! same setup, bro`s PC, dads and a tenants, all use the same printer and internet connection, and scanner (now replaced with a 3-1), you can even setup networks using windows that run CNC machines, you can also have just 1 CD drive on a network in 1 PC that is shared, there are many things you can do with a windows network, im no expert though, I just run the network wizard and keep clicking on the setup that suits my situation and it all works,

what im saying is what your describing is easily done

 

[Dieselman]

what im saying is what your describing is easily done

If he wants to share the printer, which he doesn't..

He wants to run the printer as a network printer directly from the hub.

 

[Dragon]

My present Dell PC is hardwired to a Netgear wireless router and a Sony laptop uses wireless connection. The laser printer is only used from the Dell so is hardwired to it.

Can I connect the printer to the router so both computers could use it? I am thinking here of an Ethanet to USB cable from printer to router so both computers can access the printer.

Then if I connect wireless USB adapter to a second printer (photoprinter) could both computers use either printer?

I'm getting confused myself at this rate so one last question.

I am about to order an Apple iMac 3.06ghz desktop to replace the Dell and run Apple OS and Windows Vista on it. No problem using the printers with Apple and Microsoft OS's with suitable drivers is there?

Thanks for your patients in reading this far.

NURSE! where are my tablets.

Yes you can, just plug the printer on the USB port of the Netgear router. You can even buy a Lexmark wireless printer, I saw at Wilco about £59 or less. The BT hub 2 installation manual specifically say plug your printer to the usb port on the hub.

 

[Dieselman]

Yes you can, just plug the printer on the USB port of the Netgear router. You can even buy a Lexmark wireless printer, I saw at Wilco about £59 or less. The BT hub 2 installation manual specifically say plug your printer to the usb port on the hub.

Has he got a USB port on the hub?

 

[Dragon]

Has he got a USB port on the hub?

There should be one depending which model he go. Alternatively connect the printer to one of the PC and configure to share it to other PCs. Simple.

 

[Dieselman]

There should be one depending which model he go. Alternatively connect the printer to one of the PC and configure to share it to other PCs. Simple.

Which is what he does at present..

 

[Dragon]

Which is what he does at present..

Use your logic where can you find a cable with usb on one end and RJ45 the other end?

What ever if you have a BT home hub 2 there is a usb port just for the printer, I remember.

 

[Dieselman]

 

[agatward]

Use your logic where can you find a cable with usb on one end and RJ45 the other end?

One is supplied with every enterprise-grade APC UPS that has a USB port - for some reason they chose to use RJ45 sockets for the USB connection. Much fun is had at work with the 'support' technicians and these cables

Going back to the OP - if the existing switch / router doesn't have print server support, decent (netgear / dlink) print servers can be found for about £35. The advantage with a dedicated device over an all-in-one is that it is exactly that, dedicated to the function. As such, the software, support and functionality is usually better than the all-in-one router/switch/print server/wireless AP.

 

[Shude]

The advantage with a dedicated device over an all-in-one is that it is exactly that, dedicated to the function. As such, the software, support and functionality is usually better than the all-in-one router/switch/print server/wireless AP.

The other advantage is that you don't have to leave a computer on in order to print from another, you just leave the print server on (solid state, 12v with a transformer probably) and that can be attached to a mains timer so it's only on during daylight hours!

Just thinking about the carbon thingy.

 

[whitenemesis]

One is supplied with every enterprise-grade APC UPS that has a USB port - for some reason they chose to use RJ45 sockets for the USB connection. Much fun is had at work with the 'support' technicians and these cables

Going back to the OP - if the existing switch / router doesn't have print server support, decent (netgear / dlink) print servers can be found for about £35. The advantage with a dedicated device over an all-in-one is that it is exactly that, dedicated to the function. As such, the software, support and functionality is usually better than the all-in-one router/switch/print server/wireless AP.

Could it be because the RJ45 connectors "lock" in place?

 

[Viking2]

First, on the machine the printer is connected to, Share the printer, giving it an appropriate name, such as EPS600.

Then in Control Panel, Printers and faxes, select Add Printer and select the option to connect to a printer attached to another computer or network and that is it.

I have two PC's and one Laptop all using the same printer attached to my main PC the other two connect via a Netgear router either using a cable or wireless.

 

[W210 Fan]

If he wants to share the printer, which he doesn't..

He wants to run the printer as a network printer directly from the hub.

whats the difference if you can print from both computers??

 

[oldcro]

I may have caused some confusion by suggesting what I thought could be done with the equipment I have, so will put my question another way.

I have a Dell PC (soon to be an iMac).
A Sony Vaio laptop.
A laser a printer.
A Netgear Rangemax Next wireless modem router.

Only the laptop is connected to the internet via blutooth wireless, PC, printer and router are hardwired.

Printer is connected to PC via usb cable.

What is the easiest way to enable the printer to be used by either computers? assuming it is possible or do I need more bits?

Thanks for all the helpfull info, much appreciated even if somewhat confusing to a layman like myself.

 

[Dragon]

I may have caused some confusion by suggesting what I thought could be done with the equipment I have, so will put my question another way.

I have a Dell PC (soon to be an iMac).
A Sony Vaio laptop.
A laser a printer.
A Netgear Rangemax Next wireless modem router.

Only the laptop is connected to the internet via blutooth wireless, PC, printer and router are hardwired.

Printer is connected to PC via usb cable.

What is the easiest way to enable the printer to be used by either computers? assuming it is possible or do I need more bits?

Thanks for all the helpfull info, much appreciated even if somewhat confusing to a layman like myself.

If the router got a usb port, just plug the printer to the router. If it hasn't then leave it as it is. Else you need a router that got a usb port.