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Sharing printers using a USB Port

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7 replies

by jeff_flory_2

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I am trying to share a printer on a desktop PC. I am using a USB cable, each time I go in to set this printer up on another PC, it will ask for an LPT port. My question is, can you share a printer using a USB port, if so, how can you do it? I have done this numerous times using a regular LPT port, this is a first for me using the USB.

7 replies

by dcosgrove

Are the computers networked together or are you switching the cable back and forth? If you are switching the cable, plug it in hot to the computer and let it detect the new device on the usb hub, then install the appropriate drivers and you should be set. The next time you plug it in (hot) it will find appropriate drivers automatically. If the puters are networked it's the same as before. Right click on the printer in printers folder, enable sharing. Go to next computer, add new printer, network printer, find, install drivers as asked and you done.

by jeff_flory_2

I have done the sharing of the printer, providing it with a name. The problem I am having is when I go to install it on another PC, it will load the printer up just fine, but it states that there is not communication between the New PC and the printer, therefore it will not print. When installing this printer on another networked PC, it will ask for a printer LPT port, I cannot force it to see the USB as the actual printer port. This is the dilema I am having right now. Thanks for your help.

by dcosgrove

I think you missed my point a little. If the computers are networked and the printer is shared... it doesn't matter if it's parallel, serial, usb or any other kind of printer. Click the add new printer button. It will then ask what type of printer. Select the NETWORK option. It will then give you a list of all the computers in the network neighborhood. Click on the computer that has the printer installed. Once it opens that computer you will see the printer listed there. Select this printer and then continue as normal. Remember, both the printer itself and the computer it's plugged into MUST be turned on for this to work. If they are off then you won't see them in the network neighborhood. Provided that you follow all of these steps, you will be able to share your USB printer running on a Mictosoft based PC with a MAC Classic if you have the right drivers.

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