Can 2 computers use 1 USB printer?

btcomm1

Senior member
Sep 7, 2006
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Is it possible to use a usb hub to have 2 computers connected to 1 printer at the same time?

If you plug a USB hub into a computer and plug the printer into the usb hub and plug a cable from the usb hub to the other computer would that work? Is it possible to do this somehow? Do you have to buy a specialized peice of equipment?

I know I could try sharing them other the network but one computer gives me the error that the printer has lost connection to the server or it was typed incorrectly when I'm double cliciking on it. The other may have some sort of corrupt firewall that I can't find, maybe has something to do with the VPN software installed but I doubt it. I can't ping that computer or access it through the network.
 

marulee

Golden Member
Oct 27, 2006
1,299
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USB hub will have only a single source...
and USB hub will not create a network... therefore answer is no.
 

Psychism

Junior Member
Dec 1, 2006
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I've never used a USB hub for anything so I don't know about that but you can get a wireless adapter for the printer and one for both computers and it should work fine that way even if the regular network sharing doesn't work
 

JDMnAR1

Lifer
May 12, 2003
11,984
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You could get something like this, or you could actually use a USB print server and just hang the printer on your network.
 

Keitero

Golden Member
Jun 28, 2004
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Some printers will allow you to hook up two computers at once. My Epson Stylus Photo R220 does that.
 

dme92189

Senior member
Dec 26, 2005
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Or...just name a new network that both the computers are on in Windows and share the printer over the network. The downside is that the computer to which the printer is connected to will have to be on if you want to print but it could be a temporary solution!
 

btcomm1

Senior member
Sep 7, 2006
943
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I would have done that but I got the dreaded the printer has lost connection with the server message.