Various Topics on Printers

....

I have three computers networked with XP on a router. I have a printer
hooked up to one of the computers and "share" it with the other 2 in
order for them to print.

My question is, how can I connect the printer directly to the router?
I would like to do this so the one computer I have it hooked to
doesn't always have to be on. It is a USB printer so I am not sure
what I need to do to get this accomplished. Let me know what I need to
do or buy.

Thanks
Mike

..c.. ..m

mykbuckley@yahoo.com (Mike) wrote in
news:eb499239.0402231234.283141eb@posting.google.c om:

> My question is, how can I connect the printer directly to the router?
> I would like to do this so the one computer I have it hooked to
> doesn't always have to be on. It is a USB printer so I am not sure
> what I need to do to get this accomplished. Let me know what I need to
> do or buy.


If it is a USB printer, you'll need a USB compatible print server. USB
printer servers are rare and expensive - HP has a couple of USB models.

Does your printer have a Parallel connection? If so, use your parallel port
instead of the USB connection.

--
Lucas Tam (REMOVEnntp@rogers.com)
Please delete "REMOVE" from the e-mail address when replying.
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/coolspot18/

....

Lucas Tam <REMOVEnntp@rogers.com> wrote in message news:<Xns9498A9522D2F5nntprogerscom@140.99.99.130> ...
> mykbuckley@yahoo.com (Mike) wrote in
> news:eb499239.0402231234.283141eb@posting.google.c om:
>
> > My question is, how can I connect the printer directly to the router?
> > I would like to do this so the one computer I have it hooked to
> > doesn't always have to be on. It is a USB printer so I am not sure
> > what I need to do to get this accomplished. Let me know what I need to
> > do or buy.
>
>
> If it is a USB printer, you'll need a USB compatible print server. USB
> printer servers are rare and expensive - HP has a couple of USB models.
>
> Does your printer have a Parallel connection? If so, use your parallel port
> instead of the USB connection.

It's a new printer so it only has the USB connection. The parallel
connection wouldn't solve the problem of having it hooked to a single
computer. I have various computers throughout the home and all can
print to this printer. However, the printer is hooked to a specific
computer and sometimes the wife likes to turn it off. When I want to
print, sometimes it isnt possible due to her computer being off. Silly
and lazy I know, but I want the printer to run directly to the router.
I guess I could break down and get a network printer HP 5N or
something but I was just wondering if there was a way to connect a
simple USB printer to an ethernet network so I don't have to spend
anymore cash.

Mike

..c.. ..m

mykbuckley@yahoo.com (Mike) wrote in news:eb499239.0402240752.11084172
@posting.google.com:

> I guess I could break down and get a network printer HP 5N or
> something but I was just wondering if there was a way to connect a
> simple USB printer to an ethernet network so I don't have to spend
> anymore cash.

Linksys and Dlink both have USB printer servers. They maybe cheaper than
HP.

Do you turn off your computer often? Could you have the printer hooked upto
your PC instead, and share it via a Windows File/Printer Share?

--
Lucas Tam (REMOVEnntp@rogers.com)
Please delete "REMOVE" from the e-mail address when replying.
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/coolspot18/

..m..

"Mike" <mykbuckley@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:eb499239.0402240752.11084172@posting.google.c om...
>
> It's a new printer so it only has the USB connection. The parallel
> connection wouldn't solve the problem of having it hooked to a single
> computer. I have various computers throughout the home and all can
> print to this printer. However, the printer is hooked to a specific
> computer and sometimes the wife likes to turn it off. When I want to
> print, sometimes it isnt possible due to her computer being off. Silly
> and lazy I know, but I want the printer to run directly to the router.
> I guess I could break down and get a network printer HP 5N or
> something but I was just wondering if there was a way to connect a
> simple USB printer to an ethernet network so I don't have to spend
> anymore cash.
>
> Mike

A USB printer server may cost a bit much. A more inexpensive way would be
to pick up a new router that has a USB printer port.
http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=272 Sells for under $60 on Amazon.com.
Other manufacturers should have something similar. If you presently have a
wireless router, they have some models with USB printer support as well, but
for a premium price.