sharing hardware

My husband and I have cable pipeline computer access, so we networked out computers. We didn't try to set it up to be able to get into each others computers--just to be able to share the pipeline. I was thinking that we have a lot of excess 'stuff' now. Shouldn't we be able to get rid of one of our scanners and one of our printers and both of us use the same one? Can someone give me some ideas of how to go about doing this. Thanks much!
Vicki

 

The exact procedure for printer sharing varies a little depending on the OS the computers are running but here are the general guidelines. If you get stuck, post back.

1. Decide which printer you want to use. If it is fairly recent (last 3 or 4 years probably) it should do fine as a network printer. Some older ones just won't.

2. Make sure "File & Printer Sharing" is enabled. BTW - there may be some security concerns when you do this so take a look at This article and make sure this is something you want to do. FWIW - I have a shared printer/copier/scanner at home and think it well worth the very slight risk but decide for yourself.

3. Go to the printer and set it to be shared. You will need to assign a share name as well. "Printer" (without the quotes) will be fine since you won't have but one or 2 or name it "Duh" or something.

4. Now to the PC where you want to add a network printer.

Go to the Printers folder and open the Add Printers icon. Select Network Printer and continue.

The Add Printer Wizard will ask you to provide the path to the network printer. Enter it in the format:
\\computer-name\share-name
where computer-name is the name of the computer to which the printer is physically attached, and share-name is the share name that you've assigned to the printer.

The Add Printer Wizard also asks if you print from MS-DOS-based programs. Click YES (doesn't hurt and you may need it - impossible to add in later without redoing the whole thing) and then click the Next button.

In the Add Printer Wizard's next dialog box, select the type of printer you're trying to capture by selecting the printer's manufacturer from the Manufacturer's list and choosing the printer model from the Printer's list.
Click the Next button to continue.

At this point, the Add Printer Wizard will ask you to assign a name to the printer. This name isn't related to the the printer's share name. Instead, it's the name that your local PC will use, and it will appear under the printer's icon (title) and in any Select Printer windows.

When it finishes setting up the printer drivers to your hard drive, it will create an icon for the printer. You can now print to the printer in exactly the same way that you would if it were physically attached to your PC.

BTW - with w2K and XP Pro (not sure about home) I think you will be using the drivers from the PC hosting the printer. Otherwise you will have a complete setup locally. You won't notice any difference.
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Your scanner may set up pretty much the same way or may not be possible depending on the device. My all-in-one device works fine.