Can you connect two computers a Desktop and a Laptop to one printer?

Question

Is it possible that a Sony PC desktop and a Laptop from Sony can share one HP printer? If so what is the correct connection to use to share this? Or must I download certain software so that both computers are able to talk to the printer? Thanks. We only have a PC internet card not DSL on the DESKTOP..

Answer 1

You can do this several ways. The simplest route would be to set up the printer on the desktop, and share it to the laptop. This would require the desktop to be on and running Windows whenever the laptop needs to print. It would also require both computers to be on the same network, whether you have DSL or not. Alternatively, if you don't have a router but do have Ethernet ports on both computers, you can connect them directly to each other with an Ethernet crossover cable, readily available at computer/electronic stores.

Regardless of how you connect the computers, the key is that the desktop will act as a host for the printer, and the laptop will print to it as a "shared" resource. If you're using Windows XP or Vista, you have all the software you'll need. Assuming that's your environment, here's the basic drill in setting it up:

On the desktop:
1. Enable basic file/printer sharing on the desktop if it isn't already
2. Install the printer on the desktop as a local printer (i.e. on LPT1), again, if it isn't already.
3. Right click on the printer in "Printers and Faxes" and share the printer

On the laptop:
1. "Add printer" in "Printers and Faxes"
2. Select "a network printer" then "browse for a printer" on the next panel. Desktop must be on as well as printer, and you must be able to see the desktop on the network from the laptop ("Network places" for instance)
3. Select the printer on the desktop and add it. The driver is installed from the desktop- you don't need a disc or to do a download. If this step is successful, you're done.

Another way to go is to buy a print server like HP's Jetserve. But with the cost of decent inkjet printers under $100 you would probably be better served just buying a second printer if you are unable to go the network route. Good luck!

--Charlie

Answer 2

Yes you can.

There are a few ways you can do it. I am going to explain in the best possible way I can. I have done all the methods listed below.

If you have parallel ports on your computers (should look like the picture in the source box) and a Centronics port on your printer, you can purchase a Data Switch and the Printer cables. Connect the Printer to the fixed port and connect the computers to the A or B ports. You have to install the driver for the printer on the computers and flip the data switch to the computer you want to print from. I don't think the computers and printers nowadays have these ports.

If the Printer has a network card in it, then you can purchase a router and connect the printer and computers to the router. Configure the router to dish out IP addresses. Install the printer drivers on the computers. You can connect your Cable or DSL modem to the router.

If your printer does not have a network card, you can purchase a Centronics Print Server (if the printer has a Centronics Port). If the printer only has a USB port you can purchase a Print Server with USB connection and Network connection. You will still have to have a router.

Otherwise go wireless. Okay, that is a whole different ballgame.

Answer 3

There are a few ways. IF you have a home network (router) and IF the printer has a network card in it, that would be ideal.

Otherwise you can install a switchbox, but that means you would have a mess of wires. One going to the printer and a cable going to each PC.

Lastly, connect the printer to your "main" computer and share it out to the other PC's. You will also need all the computers to be on a network for this to work.

Answer 4

First, to allow both computers to access the same printer, you need physical access. The easiest/cheapest way is to connect the printer to one computer. Then, if you look at that printer in the "Printers and Faxes" folder, you can right-click, select "Sharing..." and set it up to allow others to print to the printer. Next, both computers need to be connected to a home network (router/hub) or connected via a Cat5 patch cable which allows two computers to talk directly. The downside of having the printer connected directly to one computer is that computer must be on for the second one to print.

Another alternative is to buy a network card specifically for the printer. There are both wireless and wired external printer ports that connect to your network. The printer connects to this port vice any one computer so only the printer itself needs to be on. The downside here is the cost of the external port.

The second thing you need is the software (driver) to print to the printer. Both computers will require this software regardless of what physical configuration you use. The software is usually operating system dependent, not hardware platform specific, so if both computers are running the same operating system, you just need to download it once and install the same way on both. HP provides these drivers for free at www.hp.com. Just look for the printer you have and the operating system that is on each computer. If you have the original disk, that should have it too.

I kind of glossed over the setting up the physical network part. But, if you should need more details, please e-mail me at [e-mail].

Answer 5

Computers that are connected by a LAN can easily be configured to share hardware, including printers. Here are some simple instructions for configuring a printer for use on a LAN Adding a Printer to a Computer Network Step 1Open the Control Panel on the computer that is physically connected to the printer. Look for the "Printers and Faxes" icon for Windows XP or the "Printers" icon for Vista. Double-click on this icon and you should see the printer that you want to share listed. Right-click on your printer and then select the "Sharing" option. Step 2Find a "Sharing" tab within your printer's Properties. Name your printer for the purpose of sharing. Choose a simple name and click "OK" when finished. Step 3Add the shared printer on every computer connected to the network that will be using the printer. Open the Control Panel and select either "Printers and Faxes" (XP) or "Printers" (Vista). Select "Add a Printer" and then select "Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer." Step 4Find your printer on a list of results that Windows returns to you and select it. This should complete the process of adding your printer to your network system. The printer should now appear as a printing option when you select the option to print something.

Answer 6

you need to make a network then network both computers and the printer together. This is pretty complicated for someone whos new to it, but if you google networking you might be able to figure it out, or just goto a local college and ask the people in the Cisco class. theres probably some forums out there on how to do this also.