USB printer splitter
 

Anyone know where I can buy one of these in Abu Dhabi?

(Allows 2 computers to access 1 non-wireless printer)

Re: USB printer splitter
 

Unless you're switching a lot, I'd recommend going low-tech: get a usb extension cable, run it to the front/side of the printer, and run the usb cables from the computers to the same place. Then "switch" when needed.

If you ARE making heavy use of the printer from both computers, and both computers are networked, I'd look at getting a USB printer server and connecting it to the network instead.

But if you're determined to go this route, you can have a look for something like this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0036W6LKC/

A place like Sharaf DG or even Carrefour might have one, but I suspect you may have to order.

Re: USB printer splitter
 

Looked briefly for a cheap splitter and didnt find one but I was only getting one due to the printer not behaving on wireless.

Turned out it was the router being kak

You can get a wireless wouter with usb port that becomes a print server is another option.

Yet another option is the free version if your computers are on a network, just setup and share the printer on both PC's that way you can print if you have it hooked to your own machine or the other.

Re: USB printer splitter
 

Thanks fellas. The printer and both machines are connected on the same network so will have a play about with the printer sharing option.

Re: USB printer splitter
 

Right click the printer and 'printer properties' then select sharing tab
Then you can browse to the others machine and right click the shared printer and select 'Connect' - That will install the drivers and setup the printer. You may need to setup the other persons user id and same password to allow this to happen


When I have done this before I rename the printer to something like

HP Laser Bobs PC
and
HP Laser Jims PC

Insted of HP laser and HP Laser (copy 1)

Set the default to their own machine or the one it is most likely to be connected to.

Re: USB printer splitter
 

If the printer is on the network already you shouldn't have to share it via a computer. Just install it as a network printer and job's done. Printer sharing is mainly used when a printer doesn't have a network connection but is connected permanently (e.g. via USB) to a single computer.

If you post the printer model it'd be easy to check how to make this happen.

Re: USB printer splitter
 

It's a Samsung 3185FW....almost new

Re: USB printer splitter
 

W = Wireless?

Anyway, go here:
http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/co...start_here.htm

And follow the instructions for "Network Setup" and that should all work fine.

Re: USB printer splitter
 

they may not have a wireless network

Re: USB printer splitter
 

The manual has instructions for wired networks too.

Re: USB printer splitter
 

My mistake, it's a 3185FN Network but not wireless printer.

And we have a wireless network. Thanks for the link, I'll try it out.

Re: USB printer splitter
 

Plug it into your router then..?