we bought a new printer and are trying to share it. from 2 PCs we first used a hi speed USB 2.0 4 port hub. although that worked for 1 PC(we had the wrong USB cables) someone said that what we really needed was a usb peropheral switch. weve gone through 2 peripheral switches and it does not work. it only recognizes 1 pc at a time.



any ideas on how to make this work?

thanks

 

So you have 2 PC's, 1 Hub and 1 Printer. Is the printer a "network printer?" Otherwise, you need a network print server to accept the commands and prioritize them and send them to the printer.

 

its not a network printer, but were networking it between the 2 PCs.

 

Do you have the internet there? Here's another option - Install the printer on one machine (PC>USB Hub>Printer). Then, share that printer on the network. Then install the printer on the other machine, but instead of selecting local printer, select network printer. Now, whenever the main PC is on, the printer will be accessible to the other user(s). This also requires that you have file and printer sharing enabled and you have the same "workgroup" name on your computers.

 

The best option in your case is to get what they call a USB Print Server. It has a single ethernet (or wireless) port input, and a USB output.



http://www.cdw.com/shop/search/Results.asp...er&platform=all

 

thatnks, i thought there would be an easy solution. i guess its time to call teh IT guys again. besides i got very lil as far as rights are concerned. couldnt even use a usb storage drive.....

 

Yup, that should work.

 

u can also connect the printer to one machine directly, then right click it and share it, the other should see it then if they are all networked.

 

that works well

 

yeh just hook it up to one computer and share the printer over the network.