Connecting two computers to one printer

[Hightower]

As the title suggests, how do I do this easily. I want to use the printer on both computers even if one is switched off. I haven't a home network and was thinking along the lines of a twin USB to printer cable. Is this possible or do I need to buy a USB hub or some sort of switch gear?

[thomas]

I use a wireless box that the printer plugs into so it sits on the wifi network.

[Boats&Outboards]

I have two PC (4 if you include the iPad/iPhone) running to one PC but they are all on a wifi connection. If your printer has that facility it's a doddle. You can even email your prints to some printers and it simply stores them until able to print or prints them remotely. Mine is a cheap HP printer. I think it also has the "air print" option for iPhone/iPad

Peter ~ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

[James Slatter]

Do you have a broadband router with any available cat5 ports ? If so you could get an hp USB jet direct print server box and make it a network printer.

[Hightower]

Sorry guys, be basic in what you type Computers for Dummy here

I have a broadband Router that both desktops are plugged. It is a wireless router, but I'm only using the wireless feature for my Laptop and that very rarely gets used at home.

I want to shy away from having the printer on a network because you have to have all computers working to be able to print from one.....Is that right??

I just kind of want a USB cable that plugs in to both computers and whichever the computer that I'm wanting to print from send that to the printer.

[ukprometheus]

I may be making things sound complicated but if you have need for a backup device maybe you could consider a small NAS say a readynas duo and you can plug your printer into that and use it as a print server for the home network

or you could just change your printer with one that has an ethernet port
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Epson-SX515W.../dp/B00292X5IQ
plug it into the router install the driver and away you go

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by ukprometheus

I may be making things sound complicated but if you have need for a backup device maybe you could consider a small NAS say a readynas duo and you can plug your printer into that and use it as a print server for the home network

or you could just change your printer with one that has an ethernet port
Epson Stylus SX515W High-Speed All-in-One Printer with Individual Inks and Wi-Fi: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories
plug it into the router install the driver and away you go

I've just spent £500 on a new computer, are you seriously telling me I'll have to fork out another £80+ so that I can have the convenience of using one printer with both PC's.

I'll just stick to plugging the Single USB cable in to whichever computer I want to print from

[ukprometheus]

have you checked to see if your current printer has an ethernet port or is wireless capable
what model is your current printer

[Hightower]

No it's a basic PCS. Epson stylus SX130

[Hightower]

Would something like this work? It's the sort of thing I was looking for.

2 Port USB 2.0 Printer Scanner Auto Sharing Switch Box | eBay