USB Port Help: Is there such a thing?

CraigSca · 10-22-2007, 09:39 AM

I have a brand new printer (USB-connected) that I want to share between two PCs. To do so, I thought I'd have to buy a USD hub. After purchasing, I noticed a hub is basically a device to support multiple peripherals connected into a single PC (and I want the opposite). Is there any way to have two PCs connect to a single USB port on a single printer?

Thanks!

Draft Dodger · 10-22-2007, 10:08 AM

yep

Belkin has one. they also have a 4 in 1.

gstelmack · 10-22-2007, 10:11 AM

Note that you may have issues if both computers try to print at the same time. You may be better off networking the two PCs, then having one of them share the printer out (which is what I do).

ThunderingHERD · 10-22-2007, 11:11 AM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817300007

Tasan · 10-22-2007, 11:40 AM

You could either buy a network printer share device that will allow you to share it over your home network, or you could simply hook it up to one computer and use windows to share it out across the network. That option requires you to have the computer its hooked up to on whenever the other computer wants to print though. Of course, both options assume you have a home network. If thats not the case, then sorry to waste your time ;- )

CraigSca · 10-22-2007, 05:15 PM

Well - here's an adjunct to the original. I've now added the printer, shared it, but the problem I'm having is I want to print from a laptop that's set up to be on my company's domain. How can I have it attach to my company's domain and my home network's domain at the same time? Every time I do a search for the printer, the laptop can't find it

.

Thanks for your help!

ThunderingHERD · 10-22-2007, 05:45 PM

did you run the network setup wizard?

MizzouRah · 10-22-2007, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraigSca

Well - here's an adjunct to the original. I've not added the printer, shared it, but the problem I'm having is I want to print from a laptop that's set up to be on my company's domain. How can I have it attach to my company's domain and my home network's domain at the same time? Every time I do a search for the printer, the laptop can't find it

.

Thanks for your help!

You can't that I know of. I would just unplug the printer from your home pc into your laptop to print what you need.

ThunderingHERD · 10-22-2007, 06:07 PM

I don't get it... can't you just go to system properties and switch to workgroup? or am I missing something?

ThunderingHERD · 10-22-2007, 06:17 PM

apparently it's not that easy. Here's a possible solution, though

http://www.velocityreviews.com/forum...roup-mode.html

Quote:

You do not switch the laptop to "workgroup mode" or you will be seeing
your IT Dept. on Monday with your hat in your hand. Here are
instructions how to use your domain-enabled laptop on your home network
(credit MVP Lanwench):

Once you've logged in using your domain account (using cached
credentials), and have an IP address on the home network, you can map
drives, use printers, whatnot, very easily - one way, in a command
line:

net use x: \\computername\sharename /user:computername\username

MS KB article about the Net Use command - http://tinyurl.com/3bpnj

Malke

sterlingice · 10-22-2007, 06:24 PM

If this is just a simple home network where you control the IP addresses, I'd set the IP manually, something 192.168.1.x (where x = 50 or so, something that DHCP on various devices won't work its way up to) and then create a direct IP port rather than doing it \\server\printername.

Select "local printer attached to this computer" (don't auto detect) -> next -> create a new port -> standard tcp/ip port -> and then just input the IP address and finish out with the standard clicking.

SI

MizzouRah · 10-22-2007, 07:36 PM

It can be done, but most people would be calling me in the AM wondering why they can't connect to their works domain, plus a "normal" user wouldn't have access to join the pc back to their works domain.

Connect it via printer cable or use TH's advice.

10-22-2007, 10:08 AM	#2
Draft Dodger Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Keene, NH	yep Belkin has one. they also have a 4 in 1. __________________ Mile High Hockey

10-22-2007, 10:11 AM	#3
gstelmack Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Cary, NC	Note that you may have issues if both computers try to print at the same time. You may be better off networking the two PCs, then having one of them share the printer out (which is what I do). __________________ -- Greg -- Author of various FOF utilities

10-22-2007, 11:11 AM	#4
ThunderingHERD College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Carolina	http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817300007 __________________ "I'm losing my edge--to better looking people... with better ideas... and more talent. And who are actually really, really nice." "Everyone's a voyeurist--they're watching me watch them watch me right now."

10-22-2007, 11:40 AM	#5
Tasan College Starter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Houston, or there about	You could either buy a network printer share device that will allow you to share it over your home network, or you could simply hook it up to one computer and use windows to share it out across the network. That option requires you to have the computer its hooked up to on whenever the other computer wants to print though. Of course, both options assume you have a home network. If thats not the case, then sorry to waste your time ;- ) __________________ 2011 Golden Scribes winner for best Interactive Dynasty

10-22-2007, 05:15 PM	#6
CraigSca Pro Starter Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Not Delaware - hurray!	Well - here's an adjunct to the original. I've now added the printer, shared it, but the problem I'm having is I want to print from a laptop that's set up to be on my company's domain. How can I have it attach to my company's domain and my home network's domain at the same time? Every time I do a search for the printer, the laptop can't find it . Thanks for your help! __________________ She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! She loves you, yeah! how do you know? how do you know? Last edited by CraigSca : 10-22-2007 at 07:53 PM.

10-22-2007, 05:45 PM	#7
ThunderingHERD College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Carolina	did you run the network setup wizard? __________________ "I'm losing my edge--to better looking people... with better ideas... and more talent. And who are actually really, really nice." "Everyone's a voyeurist--they're watching me watch them watch me right now."

10-22-2007, 06:07 PM	#9
ThunderingHERD College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Carolina	I don't get it... can't you just go to system properties and switch to workgroup? or am I missing something? __________________ "I'm losing my edge--to better looking people... with better ideas... and more talent. And who are actually really, really nice." "Everyone's a voyeurist--they're watching me watch them watch me right now."

10-22-2007, 06:24 PM	#11
sterlingice Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Back in Houston!	If this is just a simple home network where you control the IP addresses, I'd set the IP manually, something 192.168.1.x (where x = 50 or so, something that DHCP on various devices won't work its way up to) and then create a direct IP port rather than doing it \\server\printername. Select "local printer attached to this computer" (don't auto detect) -> next -> create a new port -> standard tcp/ip port -> and then just input the IP address and finish out with the standard clicking. SI __________________ Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!"

10-22-2007, 07:36 PM	#12
MizzouRah Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Troy, Mo	It can be done, but most people would be calling me in the AM wondering why they can't connect to their works domain, plus a "normal" user wouldn't have access to join the pc back to their works domain. Connect it via printer cable or use TH's advice.

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