how to share printer between multiple computers and different os

[wolf30]

I have a laser printer installed on my windows xp machine. I also have 2 laptops running windows 7 and a wireless router. Is it possible to share my printer between all three machines?

[george__]

Yup.
You share the laser printer
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457001.aspx
http://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-7/xp-to-windows-7-printer-sharing/

You need to make sure though the laser printer has drivers for Windows 7.

If you to figure out the "ip" of the XP computer

Go to start -> run -> cmd -> type ipconfig -> ip address
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6c/Ipconfig_win_xp.png


Then on the Windows 7 computer press the star button and type \\ip-address in the search for program...You should see the printer icon :D

One problem might be the router will will change the ip-address of your Windows XP machine. So you might need to create a static IP for the Windows XP machine using your wireless router. This way whenever the router goes about doing it's thing, the XP machine will have the same ip address

[Manatus]

Does your wireless router have a USB port? Plugging the printer in there and using it as a network printer will allow the laptops to print to it even if your main computer is off.

[Mark77]

You might be able to get an Ethernet card for your printer. Once you do this, you just attach it to the wired portion of your network, and then configure your machines for network printing. XP, Visa, and Win7 can even auto-detect network printers.

[george__]

@Mark77 - I got hold of a Tyan Mobo!

[wolf30]

Ya my wireless router has 1 usb port. How would I go about setting it up as a network printer?

[bvit6667]

Don't know which router brand or model you have but, from my experience, you first install the printer driver on each individual computer (usually by physically attaching one computer at a time by usb). You then run a program provided by the router company on each computer which sets up does the rest of the setup which redirects the data being sent to the printer through the usb port on the router. If you don't have the router manual or the software a search on the manufacturer's web site should get you what you need.

[gnuman]

I had a USB printer plugged into a USB router. What you do is install the driver. You choose it as a local printer and when going to Next you should see something like USB with the IP address of the router.

[will888]

This is how to do it in Windows. Point to ip address for the print and use raw, port 9100. Pretty much the same for android. Never used iOS, would imagine process is identical, menus may be slightly different.


http://help.chem.upenn.edu/helpdesk/netprtinst/networkprintersetupxp.htm

[wolf30]

Just figured it out. Hard some difficulty cause my router's firmware was out of date and teh usb print server wasn't working. After upgrading the firmware and resetting everything up again, it now works. Thanks

[gnuman]

You're lucky you have a printer that isn't annoying. I have an Oki printer and that thing refuses to print after a while.

[murdoc2k]

Glad OP got it working.

Generally there are a few days to share printers.

- A computer acting as host (must be on at the time of printing) sharing the printer across the network. This is the least preferred method due to the requirement of a dedicated machine.

- USB Print server (requires a supporting router)

- Wired Network printing via Ethernet cord. Second best option if you don't mind wires, having a LAN port taken up and the printer is within the reach of said Ethernet cables.

- Wireless network printing. The option I use and I think is the best option. No wire restrictions and clutter, no lan ports taken up. The only con is potential technical issues encountered during setup and cost.

For anyone interested in a monochrome laser printer that does duplex and wireless, I recommend Brother HL-2770DW. Their setup was pretty straight forward, they have a great wireless card installed on the printer and it's fast. None of the parts are bullsh*t. Please note they don't provide a USB cable with the packaging.