Sharing USB devices..

[DN]

Simply put, I have 3 USB devices (2 printers / 1 scanner) and 2 PC's.. I'd like to be able to share the 3 USB devices with the 2 PC's without having to switch around any cables.. From my understanding, a USB hub won't cut it as a solution.. Can anyone direct me to something that will..? Thanks.

 

[gagan512]

if u setup a simple network (LAN) between the 2 comps, u can just 'share' the USB devices.. stuff like printers is easy to share. and since its only two computers, you can setup a network between them by either havin an extra PCI LAN card in either of them and just runnin a cat5 crossover cable between the two.. or u could also use a KVM switch.
that should be the easiest way out, atleast acc to me.

 

[DN]

You haven't provided me with any concrete information -- I need a lot more details..

The 2 PC's are already networked using a 4-port router.. If I hook up all 3 USB devices to PC #1 (using a USB hub), can PC #2 on the same LAN access these 3 USB devices without a problem..? If so, what is used software-wise (OS utility?) to make the "connection" between PC #2 and the 3 USB devices attached to PC #1..? This is probably an easy question to answer, it's just that I've never setup something like this where the printer itself wasn't ethernet ready itself.. At this moment, I'm not sure what OS PC #1 or PC #2 is running, but I think PC #1 is WinXP and PC #2 is Win98..

Thanks in advance..

 

[oldfart]

Printers yes, scanner, no. Printer sharing is a normal part of Windows networking. There is nothing that allows scanner sharing. You could use a remote desktop control piece of software like RealVNC or the built in remote desktop in XP. This would let one PC use the other PC's desktop and operate the scanner remotely.

 

[DN]

Originally posted by: oldfart
Printers yes, scanner, no. Printer sharing is a normal part of Windows networking. There is nothing that allows scanner sharing. You could use a remote desktop control piece of software like RealVNC or the built in remote desktop in XP. This would let one PC use the other PC's desktop and operate the scanner remotely.

I had a feeling the scanner would be an issue.. Printer sharing, alright -- it should work without any problems between Win98 and WinXP..? As for using some remote software for the scanner, I suppose Remote Desktop is out of the question since one of the PC's is Win98, so I'll have to look into another remote software -- maybe PCAnywhere..

Ok, so my only remaining question (written above) is printer sharing between Win98 and WinXP, does it work properly..?

Thanks.

 

[oldfart]

I had a feeling the scanner would be an issue.. Printer sharing, alright -- it should work without any problems between Win98 and WinXP..? As for using some remote software for the scanner, I suppose Remote Desktop is out of the question since one of the PC's is Win98, so I'll have to look into another remote software -- maybe PCAnywhere..

RealVNC

Ok, so my only remaining question (written above) is printer sharing between Win98 and WinXP, does it work properly..?

Yes

 

[Bovinicus]

Ok, so my only remaining question (written above) is printer sharing between Win98 and WinXP, does it work properly..?

You can definitely get it to work. However, you will have to install drivers for the printer on both computers since each OS needs a different driver. I was sharing a printer between a Windows 2000 Professional box and a Windows ME (Arg) box. It worked, but it was a bit of a hassle because the driver installation program for the printer required me to hook up the printer locally for installation to proceed.

 

[DN]

I need to ask a question about USB hubs..

Would it not be possible for me to buy, let's say, a 5-port USB hub, plug in the 3 USB devices (2 printers and 1 scanner) and then connect each PC to the USB hub via their own USB ports on the motherboard and then be able to share those 3 USB devices between the 2 PC's..? Wouldn't it work under the same principle as the router, except this is USB..?

Thanks.

 

[Yomicron]

You could also invest in a USB switch box, such as this.