Would like print server advice -- what's the best way?

[Ken90630]

Hey, All,

So I have 3 PCs now (each used for specific purposes) and I'd like each to be able to print to the 2 printers I have. I don't currently have a router, and I don't want to network the PCs to each other. I prefer them to be standalone.

What's the best way to set this up? Go buy a print server and go that route? Or, I think I read somewhere that an old PC could be used as a print server, but I don't know anything about how to set that up. Is it easy? If so, I'd prefer the latter so I can save $$ (I have an old Celeron-based PC, lying around, from 1998 that still works). Would that work as well, or is an off-the-shelf print server the better way to go? And if so, who makes a good one?

If it matters, the printers are:

HP LaserJet 1200
HP OfficeJet 6500 Wireless
Dell 2130cn color laser

 

[paperwastage]

if ONE of the computers is on 24/7 (or on when the rest are), then you can connect the printer to it and share it

otherwise, you can get
a) new printer with wifi/ethernet
b) USB print server to ethernet that might or might not work with your printer (what model printer?)
c) router with USB port that share the printer

^ currenty I'm using a RT-N16 router loaded with tomato, USB Brother laser HL-2140 hooked up to usb on the router and all computers on the network can print to it

 

[go_gordon]

What I've done is set up an old pc with ubuntu and hooked my printer up to that. Works pretty good, just have to leave it on all the time. Here's a guide on it: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/NetworkPrintingWithUbuntu

If you aren't familiar with ubuntu, you could probably accomplish the same thing with Windows XP. Just share the printer and leave the computer on all the time.

 

[mfenn]

Your computers will all have to be on some sort of network in order for them to be able to access the same print server. How do you have them accessing the Internet if they're not currently networked?

 

[VirtualLarry]

yes, OP, you need a network to do what you want. This includes sneakernet. (Print to file, copy to USB drive, take to PC with printers, print.)

 

[Ken90630]

Your computers will all have to be on some sort of network in order for them to be able to access the same print server. How do you have them accessing the Internet if they're not currently networked?

Oh, sorry. I meant they're not networked together -- in other words, I don't share files from one PC to another. As for Internet access, I use the primary PC 90% of the time for my 'main' usage, and when I have a need to hook either of the other two up to the Web -- like just to update A-V definitions and get Windows Updates -- I just temporarily unplug the primary PC from the cable modem and plug the other one(s) in. (If you care, I use the other 2 PCs for "guinea pig" work (testing new software, etc.) and virus scanning of friends'/acquaintances infected computers. For complicated reasons I won't bore you with, it's a setup that works well for me.

While I don't need the other two PCs connected to the Web all the time, it is a minor nuisance to do the unplug routine so I think I'm just going to get a basic router. I think all my printers have ethernet ports, so presumably I'll be able to connect them to the router and then be able to print to them from any of the three PCs.

Don't know why I didn't think of that before. *hits self upside the head* Probably because I've got 8 million different things on my plate these days ....

Thanks a lot for the info, everyone.

 

[paperwastage]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833320059

should be able to share the printer with every computer. $35 after rebate

 

[mfenn]

While I don't need the other two PCs connected to the Web all the time, it is a minor nuisance to do the unplug routine so I think I'm just going to get a basic router. I think all my printers have ethernet ports, so presumably I'll be able to connect them to the router and then be able to print to them from any of the three PCs.

Yes, that is the correct solution that we were telling you about.