Using HP printer on Three computers

[LSUfan]

OK I'm a noob at this. Please point me to the right threads if they are there. I have tried searching but don't know what to search for. I have three computers at home. I would like to share one printer (my HP 5550). I have two desktops one running windows XP home and the other running Windows 2000 pro, my laptop is Windows XP home also. I have a Netgear MR314 connected to my cable modem feeding them all (my laptop is used wireless for internet). The printer is only used on one desktop and I would like to use it on all of them. Is there a way I can use it with my current configuration on all computers? Would I need to purchase something else. Me and my wife are the only ones who use these so inhouse security is not a problem.

 

[BCYL]

You have all the hardware necessary, now you just have to set it all up...

You will have to create a network between all your computers... since they are all connected to the router already, all the connections are set... Go to the AT FAQ and it should show you exactly how to setup a network...

After your network is up and running, just mark the printer as shared, and install the printer as a Network Printer on all your other PCs... This should allow all your PCs to print to that one printer...

Come back if you have any more questions... we'll be glad to help...

 

[Bonesdad]

I have 3 computers sharing one printer (albeit all on Win98SE) and it works great. EXCEPT...

Whenever someone prints from another one of the computers, mine (next to the printer) dogs really bad. I absolutely disrupts online gaming and messes up everything else a little too. The mouse gets "sticky" etc. What did I do wrong or is this just the way it is???

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: Bonesdad
Whenever someone prints from another one of the computers, mine (next to the printer) dogs really bad.

Modern Inexpensive Printers do extensive use of the CPU. Since the Printer is on your computer it is your CPU that are used while other print.

Make sure that the printer drivers on all computes are set to spool and set to free the CPU as fast as possible.

 

[RustyNale]

You could always get an SMC Barricade with built in print server, then it wouldn't bog your system down... or....get a 1 port print server and just connect it to your network.