advice on sharing a printer wirelessly

[barr6868]

Howdy guys,
Looking for a bit of advice on sharing a printer between the main computer and a laptop.
Both running windows xp and connecting to the internet using a router (netgear,provided by aol)
Not my strong point, so a bit of help would be much appreciated.
Regards.

[Gav]

The easiest way is to get a wired print server and plug it into your router, otherwise you have to have either one of the computers on to print.

This product from ebuyer for example:

ebuyer.com/UK/product/59956

You plug your printer into the USB port on there, and you take Ethernet from it and plug directly into your router.

Its that simple.

Although that is one of the more expensive print servers.

There are two alternatives;

1) Setting one computer up as a print server, but you need it on to print.
2) If you don't want the printer by the router, you can get a wireless print server, but they are more expensive and not as easy to set up.

[barr6868]

Thanks gav,
I'll have a look.
Regards.

[Unknown user #1]

Another way is to buy network HDD (external hard disk, that's it) with USB port (some of them do), connect HDD to router and printer to HDD.
Thus you'll have network storage for shared files/backups and print server

As to print servers - is your printer a multifunction machine (printer/scanner/card reader) by any chance? If so you'll need special print server.

[barr6868]

Originally Posted by TheRookie

As to print servers - is your printer a multifunction machine (printer/scanner/card reader) by any chance? If so you'll need special print server.

Yep, it's a lexmark scanner, copier, printer. model p4330.
Regards

[Unknown user #1]

Take a look at Edimax 1206MF. Your printer isn't in the list but p4350 is there, so it might work. They also do Edimax 1206MFG, which is wireless version.

If you are going to use standard (non-multifunction) print server with your Lexmark, you won't be able to use scanner over network.

[barr6868]

Originally Posted by TheRookie

Take a look at Edimax 1206MF. Your printer isn't in the list but p4350 is there, so it might work. They also do Edimax 1206MFG, which is wireless version.

If you are going to use standard (non-multifunction) print server with your Lexmark, you won't be able to use scanner over network.

Thanks mate, seems a bit of hassle now.
It's for her indoors really, so I think she can e-mail any documents to her aol account on the main pc and shift her lazy ass to print it out from there. :
Thanks for the replies.
Regards

[BGonaSTICK]

I would definitely recommend a little print server. Very convenient - no PC running all the time.

I have an old Epson parallel-port printer with a Netgear PS-101 wired print server plugged into it and my router. I then have both wired and wireless PC's and laptops access it no problem.

Can be had for around £20 on eBay. USB versions are available. Very easy to setup.