Intalling one printer to 2 computers through LPT and USB ports?

Here’s my problem:

I have two computers (Win98 and WinMe) and one HP2300L printer in a work area. I want to connect both computers to the one printer by way of its two ports: one on LPT and one on USB.

I downloaded and installed the driver for the 2300L on the Win98 machine through the "add new printer" applet, and set the local printer to the LPT port. It works fine.

However, when I tried the same routine for the Me machine, and got to the "have disk" screen, I pathed to the driver folder, found the usb.inf file, and then it asks me which port I want to connect to. I get a choice of LPT 1 & 2, Com 1 2 & 3, and then Serial port options. I want a USB option (I don't want both computers looking for the LPT port, or we'll have to keep unplugging and replugging the printer cable each time we print from the other computer)

What port am I supposed to choose for a USB connection? Is USB considered a serial port or a com port? How do I know which port number? Can I assign something in the bios?

Help anybody? This can't be that hard...

maureen

 

This (ATSW-2P) is what you need. You use all LPT connections and never need to unplug cables.

You can verify before you by by calling tech support at 1-800-538-5002 free.

 

Thanks, Sparrow. I have one of these, not automatic like the one on the link, but with a manual switch. I really hate to buy something, though, when I have two different ports available on the printer.

Maybe if I rephrased my question by taking the 98 out of the picture: Let's just just assume I am trying to connect the HP 2300L printer to the WinMe computer by USB rather than a IEEE cable.

How can I do that? Which port do I choose when I’m doing the install? Com Port? Serial Port? WinMe is not offering me a USB option. I'm using the driver I downloaded from the HP site for Win9xMe.

Forgive me, but I'm just stubborn enough to think that if there is a usb port on the printer and one on the computer, there should be a way to install the printer with a usb connection during the install.

Unless I'm missing something?

- maureen

 

Hi Maureen,

When you are setting up the drivers I suggest that the LPT cable be disconnected.

Try the LPT #2 port. If your computer does not have 2 physical LPT connectors then it sounds like a "virtual" port. If it does not work, delete that printer in the Printers folder.

Matt
PS The drivers download does not have a "setup" executable?...or do you have the original drivers disk?