USB connector?

[dvndave]

HI Guys,

Can anyone tell me if I can connect, via USB ports two computers and a printer? One system is a desk-top, (Win 98) and t'other is a XP laptop. I don't want to network them, ('cos I don't know how to!) I just want to share the printer between them. Both computers and the printer are Compaq/HP and work fine swopping the cables over.

I spoke to the folks at my local store today and got quite conflicting advice, one said I would need a dedicated switching unit and the other said just use any hub so long as it's powered. I would prefer to use a hub if poss, as to use the switcher I would need to replace the cables and as they cost approx £15 each x 2 this seems silly.

MTIA

Dave

 

[scotth_uk]

Dave,

First piece of advice. USB cables should cost about £1-2 from the right online vendor.

 

[Ady]

I am not a USB guru and I have not tried it but I don’t think you can connect to PC’s to a USB hub. USB is primarily a master slave system where you have many devices (printers, scanners, cameras, etc) listen to one controller (the PC). I believe that a hub effectively just joins all the ports in parallel so you would end up with the two PC’s conflicting with each other.

A quick search has brought up the following that might be interesting:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=152537. This shares two PC’s with a printer and comes up as £10.42 with the VAT.
Cables for this start from £0.58 with VAT (http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Products.ASP?CatID=5&FilterCategories=227&Thumbnails=yes) so you should be able to do it for around £11.50.

Also found these:

http://www.mrusb.co.uk/catalog/prod...d=120&osCsid=c28f5b795b267f24c651a0f0a08d2fa5

http://www.gynogapod.co.uk/product_...d/178?osCsid=5250334f3160f4359aeaece55369b448

http://www.videkonline.co.uk/home.asp?page=SubSections&sectionID=11&ChapterID=1

Good luck.

 

[dvndave]

Thanks Guys,
I am being quoted 30/40 pounds for the switcher/hub and £14.99 for the cables so your sites were a bit of a revalation.

Many thanks,
dave

 

[andy_k]

look for a cheap copy of laplink gold - any version will do all you want is the USB to USB cable.

Do not try and connect using a normal USB cable as you will damage the motherboards (or so I am told)

Andy

 

[fuzzer]

what youre trying to do is crying out for a network......

you sure you don't fancy it?

 

[andy_k]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=42322&item=6738088453&rd=1

would do what you want

so would this

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=50197&item=5161226880&rd=1

aside from the network Fuzzer mentioned, Laplink is absolutely perfect for what you need

Andy

 

[jimmy]

I have Belkin USB hub somewhere, it consists of 2 very long USB leads and a small hub.

Make me an offer?

 

[dvndave]

Hi, Fuzzer, would love to activate the network but the last time I tried I screwed things up! Would I be able to use the printer without having both systems on?

Hi, Andy, I have got a USB data link cable for pc to pc transfer but not sure how that would help as I only want to talk to the printer - I don't usually have both systems on at the same time.

Hi Jimmy, not quite sure what I need yet but will come back to you if it turns out I can use a hub.


Thanks for your input guys.

Dave

 

[topdown]

If your printer has a parallel port and a usb port connect one pc to each and the printer will share.

rgds

 

[fuzzer]

Hi, Fuzzer, would love to activate the network but the last time I tried I screwed things up! Would I be able to use the printer without having both systems on?

Hi, Andy, I have got a USB data link cable for pc to pc transfer but not sure how that would help as I only want to talk to the printer - I don't usually have both systems on at the same time.

Hi Jimmy, not quite sure what I need yet but will come back to you if it turns out I can use a hub.


Thanks for your input guys.

Dave

Yes , easilly by using this this It basically takes your printer and allows them to be on the network , as far as the computer is concerned , it can see the other computer and the printer (S) and its linksys , which normally means it works streight out the box without too much tinkering. If youre using windows xp , networking is nice and easy , never run the wizard as it tends to screw things up. all you would need to do is have regular patch cable going from the network card in the computer to this box of tricks , as as long as your computer is set to use DHCP (automatically setting itself up ) should be fine.

Good thing about this forum is youve got more computer techs than you could shake a stick at.

 

[dvndave]

Fuzzer,
Thanks that's great. I will give it a try. Yes I am on XP and I did use the wizard!

Thanks again

Dave

 

[dvndave]

Thanks topdown I'll dig out my old cables and give that a try if I cant get anywhere with networking
Cheers

Dave

 

[JohnC]

Try this link for info

http://www.annoyances.org