Two computers - one printer

[Doug L]

The new HP (and other) printers have both a USB and a parellel connector. Could I connect one computer to the USB and the other to the parellel?

If not, why?

 

[laper]

Don't think thats a good idea, unless you only had one computer on at a time. You might toast something. Simple network would be advisable.

 

[Stosh]

That might work. I don't think you would mess anything up unless you tried to send from both computers at the same time.

The best thing would be to setup a peer to peer ethernet network. Either with a crossover cable or a hub. Then on the second machine, just install it as a network printer.

 

[Maximus1]

I personally wouldn't screw around with plugging both in at the same time either. Definitely go with a crossover cable (cheapest route) or a cheap hub (more expandability) and have the second computer run it as a network printer like Stosh said.

 

[Doug L]

Cross over cable? I've never heard or seen one of those. What do they look like? Where do you find them? Cost?

 

[Ladi]

Actually, even easier is to get an auto-sensing parallel port switch. They cost around $10-15, give or take. Just plug a cable from printer to switch, then from each computer to the switch...It should work seamlessly and transparently if you get a decent quality switch.

~Ladi

 

[Mday]

i'm with the autosensing switch on that one.

of course you do pay more for cables 😛

 

[|mpeg|]

If your interested in the Ethernet route I got 2 extra 10MBIT linksys NICS if you are interested e-mail me kw1@pacbell.net