generally the printers with single USB port are dedicated for use with one computer.
However, depending on the way you connect the computers you can share the printer with more than one computer.
1. SET THE SECOND COMPUTER UP AS A NETWORK PRINTER
This is one of the most common ways to connect two home computers to the same printer. The advantage of this technique is that it doesn't cost you anything extra. You do require some computer literacy in networking though.
Firstly you physically connect the first computer to the printer via the provided cables. The second computer now needs to be set up as a network printer to have printing capabilities. The computer not physically hooked up sends a message via the network to the computer which is physically connected to print.
To set up the network connection in Windows follow these steps:
-Open the control panel
-Select the network or network and sharing icon
-You should see an icon named file and print sharing or simply print sharing. Turn on printer sharing if it is off.
(This requires your two computers to already share a network connection; otherwise you will have to set this up).
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/print_sharingw.mspx?mfr=true2. PURCHASE A PRINTER SWITCH
A simple old fashioned way to connect two computers to one printer is by hooking them up to one switchbox in the middle. This switch is what is connected to the printer. This is a similar method to using a router to distribute the Internet to more then one computer.
This method is good for people who aren't very computer literate when it comes to networking. All you have to do is plug the cables in and off you go. However, it has one large disadvantage which is that the computers and printer all have to be in close proximity for the cables to reach.
The printer server should support the printer so that you can get maximum functionality from the printer device (including the multifunction feature).
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Gray-Steel-Two-Ports-Printer-Sharing-USB-Switch-Box-/180502082365?cmd=ViewItem&pt=AU_Computers_Printer_Accessories&hash=item2a06c3333d
3. You can buy a printer server but for that you need to make sure the device fully supports the printer you have got including the multifunction features. Both computers will need to have network connection.
Something like
http://www.netgear.com.au/au/Product/Print-Servers/Wired-Print-Servers/PS121
or
http://www.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=354892
ok
thanks
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