Connecting Printer to Multiple PCs ??

[seamorton]

Have an older Brother DCP-J140W (wireless) printer that I am trying figure out how to connect to three (3) older desktop PC's. The Printer is connected to ONE of the PC's using a USB connector. Works well for that PC. The OS of all PCs are XP3 and I do not believe they are wireless accessible? At present I have them all connected to the Router by a wired connector to receive DSL.

Would like to have the Printer accessible to all the PC's to be able to print when needed from either PC. Under the circumstances, what would be the best step by step way to accomplish this? Your suggestions and input would very much be appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to assist this elder with this matter. SM - USAF 62-66

 

[Smoove910]

My printer is not connected to anything except my wireless network. All I had to do was download the driver to a USB stick and install on each PC I wanted to print from. Done deal.... (might be the same scenario for you).

 

[SKORPI0]

http://support.brother.com/g/b/faqend.aspx?c=as_ot&lang=en&prod=dcpt700w_all&faqid=faq00100109_009

 

[VirtualLarry]

If the printer supports Wifi, see if it supports "Infrastructure" mode, as well as "Ad-Hoc". Ad-Hoc is a peer-to-peer Wifi, whereas Infrastructure, is every Wifi device connected to the Wireless Router/AP, as a sort of hub-and-spoke arrangement (wirelessly).

Generally, you get a wireless router, connect all the PCs to it (either wired LAN, or say a Wireless USB NIC), and then connect the printer to the router wirelessly. Some, you may need to manually and painstakingly punch in your WPA-AES password, like my Brother. Others, like my friend's HP, you just select "WPS" on printer menus, and then push and hold the WPS button on the wireless router, and then they connect, automagically.

After you get the printer talking to your router (it should print a status page with connection details, once first connected|), then you need to go around to each PC, and install the printer driver(s).

If you are running Windows 10, it may find the new printer on the LAN and install drivers automagically (like it does for my semi-modern Brother printer).

 

[seamorton]

If the printer supports Wifi, see if it supports "Infrastructure" mode, as well as "Ad-Hoc". Ad-Hoc is a peer-to-peer Wifi, whereas Infrastructure, is every Wifi device connected to the Wireless Router/AP, as a sort of hub-and-spoke arrangement (wirelessly).

Yes ... It appears that under the interfaces it lists USB...Wireless Lan as IEEE802.11/b/g/n (infrastructure Mode) ...and IEEE802.11b (Ad-hoc Mode) as you posted.

Generally, you get a wireless router, connect all the PCs to it (either wired LAN, or say a Wireless USB NIC), and then connect the printer to the router wirelessly. Some, you may need to manually and painstakingly punch in your WPA-AES password, like my Brother. Others, like my friend's HP, you just select "WPS" on printer menus, and then push and hold the WPS button on the wireless router, and then they connect, automagically.

The OS I'm using is XP3. All the PC's are currently wired LAN connected to the Verizon Router. It says the router is also wireless supported. Do I have to set up a wireless network and if so, what do I have to do to enable File & Printer Sharing on the Printer connected PC? Having a difficult time understanding and following the Brother Link? Hope this helps?

After you get the printer talking to your router (it should print a status page with connection details, once first connected|), then you need to go around to each PC, and install the printer driver(s).

Just a thought? Not sure how to go around to each PC and install the printer drivers? /QUOTE]

 

[seamorton]

My printer is not connected to anything except my wireless network. All I had to do was download the driver to a USB stick and install on each PC I wanted to print from. Done deal.... (might be the same scenario for you).

It appears that I will or should try to set up the Printer using the wireless network. So far I'm having a difficult understanding the information supplied by Brother in order to do this.

 

[VirtualLarry]

What appears to be giving you trouble?

And that blue text, does not have a link. Please avoid replying in blue text, unless it is a hyperlink.

Can your printer see your wireless LAN's SSID in it's control panel?

You should then be able to select it, and then punch in the password on the printer's keypad.

 

[corkyg]

Does not the printer have to be installed on each system as a network printer?

 

[SKORPI0]

OP decided to make a new thread....
https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/update-connecting-printer-to-multiple-pcs-solved.2539613/

 

[seamorton]

Have an older Brother DCP-J140W (wireless) printer that I am trying figure out how to connect to three (3) older desktop PC's. The Printer is connected to ONE of the PC's using a USB connector. Works well for that PC. The OS of all PCs are XP3 and I do not believe they are wireless accessible? At present I have them all connected to the Router by a wired connector to receive DSL.

Would like to have the Printer accessible to all the PC's to be able to print when needed from either PC. Under the circumstances, what would be the best step by step way to accomplish this? Your suggestions and input would very much be appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to assist this elder with this matter. SM - USAF 62-66

Would like to take this time to apologize for my lack of comprehension and protocol of the Forum to Our Forum Family an to those that responded and caught up with a couple of my Senior Moment postings.

The color of the posting sort of caught me out of the Blue & Update Rethread to name a couple.

It has become clear to me that rather than upset an cause concern Our Forum Family with my inept Senior postings. I need to glean and try to understate the outstanding replies, links & suggestions that have been submitted. In addition to that ... The anandtech Forum Family has been sensational & very user friendly & oriented. I will keep you all posted, as the answer to my question probably has been posted. Thank you all for taking the time to assist this SC with the matter. You've been terrific. Kindest regards .... SM - USAF 62-66