Is it possible to connect more than one computer to a printer that is not a network printer?

Question

I am installing a new printer , fax, scanner, copier I have two workstations at that location. If it is not a newt work printer is it possible to print from both PC's?

Answer 1

In the main computer where the printer is installed, just go to the Printer folder inside of Control Panel. Right click your All in one printer and then Click Sharing. Click on Share this printer in the window that opens and then hit OK.

Get the IP address of your computer, go to Start, Run, type "cmd" enter, type "ipconfig" enter. Write down where it says "Local Area Connection" IP address: "numbers with dots". After this, move to the computer without a printer.

In the other computer, go to Start, Run, type "\\ipaddress\" where ipaddress are the numbers of the 1st computer. When a windows opens asking for a user name and password input those credentials from your computer. If it doesn't ask it will be even better. Now with this command you will open a folder and the printer will be there. Double click the printer and now the 2nd computer will be able to use it.

BTW, both computers have to be in the same WORKGROUP. to check this: Right click My Computer icon on the desktop, go to properties, Computer name tab. There you can see the WORKGROUP name and even change it.

Answer 2

Use a Y Junction Cable at Both Ends, maybe a Splitter, so that Two Printer Output Cables can be linked to one printer.... that way no file Sharing, since that will be a network

Well, can try an Auto Switch Connector( Same as A/B but no Flicking Around)
http://www.leunig.de/_en/_pro/auto-switch/magicbox.htm

However:
http://www.tokyopc.org/newsletter/1996/09/Cables2.html

Try lindy.com for cables that will run from two PCs to one Printer. I found a Website in I think it was Russian that said it was about the Two Pcs to one printer connection.
However it seems that the So called Intelligent Switch in a Previous link in this Answer is the most common solution for Two PC's to one Printer without setting up a Network Option.

Answer 3

There are a few different ways you can do this. One way is to do what the other guy said, and turn on printer sharing (go to the control panel, printers and faxes, right click on the installed printer, choose sharing, give it a name. From the other computer, go to same control panel, click add printer, follow the directions for adding a printer on another computer.)

Alternately, you could get an A/B switch- but you have to make sure it's set to the right one when you try to print.

Answer 4

You can do one of two things. 1) Buy a print-server device that allows you to turn your printer into a network printer. 2) Enable file and print sharing from the computer to which it is currently installed,share your printer, then install it on the other computer.

Answer 5

If the PCs are networked, yes. If the Printer can be connected to both, yes. If you can easily swap cables, yes.

Hope that helps,
Simon H

P.S If you can't, just buy a USB Pen Drive for about 5 quid and you can just move from one PC to the other.

Answer 6

Yes. Turn on File/Printer Sharing.

Answer 7

1. If your PCs are networked connect the printer to one PC and share it so that the other PC ban print through it.

2. Connect through a auto or manual A/B switch.

3. Connect through a USB Y cable or USB Hub.

4. If your printer has more than one port, connect to different PC with different port. That means One PC through Parallel port and the other through USB port.

Answer 8

howdy, certain that could be executed with out a lot hassle. I in simple terms did that the day previous to this and it worked o.k.. My printer is suitable on to my pc via USB (operating Win XP living house) and that is the printer i had to share on my community. My community; I definitely have a Belkin instantaneous G router appropriate to a DSL modem. My pc workstation is stressed out on to an ethernet connection on the router. The workstation has a instantaneous card and it connects wirelessly to the router for it really is information superhighway connection. i had to print wirelessly from the workstation (utilizing the computer printer). So I had to verify a house or small place of work community with document and printer sharing. It replaced into ordinary to do. I in simple terms ran the living house windows community wizard on the host device (pc) and grew to develop into on document and printer sharing. click on "start up" click on "My community places" in the community initiatives sidebar click on "set up a house or Small place of work community" this opens up the community wizard (in simple terms stick with the learning) once the computer (host) replaced into "setup" I kept the settings on a thumbpersistent (an selection it extremely is area of the setup wizard) then ran the "ntsetup.exe" document on the workstation. The wizard preparation allow you to be conscious of to run this setup document on each of the contraptions on your new community. on your case you should run the setup document on each of the pcs you want to connect with this community. shop in ideas the "host workstation" has the printer promptly appropriate to it and that is the single you verify as host. because you've already got the printer motive force information put in on the workstation it truly is suitable to the printer you do not favor drivers on the different pcs. What you are able to opt to do to the different pcs is open up the administration panel and "upload a printer". click "start up" click "Printers and Faxes".Your new shared printer could already be listed. even if it isn't listed click "upload" and stick with the learning. Mine replaced into already listed and that i did not could do something else. wish this facilitates, Al