Hi,

What is the best way of connecting 2 usb computers to 1 usb printer.

Thanks,

Mick

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Clarification of Question by mickr-ga on 04 Jan 2005 15:31 PST

Hi,

I should have said I dont want to network the computers, so it needs done by
some cables or a hub or something.

Thanks,

Mick

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Clarification of Question by mickr-ga on 07 Jan 2005 00:53 PST

Hi All,

Thanks for your help. 

Hi gw-ga,

I think I will go for your solution. I was looking for something like this but 
was using USB hub as my search string in google. Once I changed to USB switch I
found exactly what I was after,

Thanks!

Hi rhinst-ga,

I agree that your way is the best but as I said I don't want to
network them as I would be breaking company policy, one is a works
computer.

Hi johnoconnor-ga,

Can I just clarify, you mean connect a 2-1 USB hub to the first computer. Then 
connect the second computer to one of the 2 USB ports (using USB A-A)
and connect the second USB port to the printer.

Does this not mean you have also connected the two computers directly together 
using a USB A - A connection to the 2 port side of the hub and then
through the hub to the single connection to the USB of the second
computer. I thought using a standard USB A-A Extension Cable to
Connect 2 computers together could damage both computers.

Thanks for you help,

Mick

Office Max carries a USB switch box for about $30.  You'll find it
next to the USB hubs.  Pressing a button on the switch box toggles one
USB device between two PCs.

A USB splitter like that might be the easiest way to go, but if you
want both computers to be able to print at the same time, you're going
to need something a little more involved. Either of the options below
will work, but both require that your 2 computers are networked
(either connected directly to each other, or connected to a hub or
switch). If your computers are not yet networked, you can still go
with option 2, as it will provide all the hardware necessary for you
to create a small network.

1) Connect the printer directly to one of the computers, then share
the printer from that computer. In most recent versions of windows,
you can just go into the control panel, open the printers window,
right click on the printer, and click "Sharing". This will bring you
to a window where you can easily share the printer with all of the
computers on your network. The advantage of this option is that it's
completely free. The drawback  is that you will only have access to
the printer when the computer it is connected to is turned on.

2) Buy a print server. While this option is more costly, it provides
you with a shared printer that is always available. Linksys makes a
print server that you can buy at amazon.com for about $60
(http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=34&scid=32&prid=580).
This print server is also a 4-port switch, which means you can use it
to network your computers if they aren't already.

If you'd like to know how to network 2 computers with a switch, you'll
have to insert more quarters -- either that or pick my answer and I'll
e-mail you instructions. =)

You can use a USB hub.  That will allow you to connect multiple USB
devices.  Then, connect the second computer to the USB hub using a USB
Device A -> Device A cable (with the flat, rectangular end on both
sides) instead of a standard Device A -> Device B cable.

This method should do it for you.

Hi

You Just Buy Product from : http://www.usbgear.com/USBG-UH826.html

The USB manual share switch is a multi-function product. It enables
you to have two computers to share a USB device(Your Printer or
multiple devices if you connect a USB hub to the UH826). Quickly
switch between computers with a push of the port Selector Button on
the front of the switch. The installation is easy with Plug and Play
convenience.

Regards

Ram