| Many times, you may need to connect more than | | | | you need to |
| one computer to a single printer. This can happen | | | | Double click on Network Connections |
| either in the case of home based businesses with | | | | Right click on the particular LAN |
| various groups or even in regular offices with | | | | Select Status option |
| many users involved. | | | | You could also right click on the LAN, click on |
| Tips to connect 2 computers to one printer | | | | Properties and then select the 'Show icon in |
| While going about connecting 2 computers to one | | | | taskbar notification area when connected' |
| printer, you need to follow a few steps to ensure | | | | checkbox. This will enable you to automatically |
| the process is smooth and hassle-free. Here we | | | | view the status in the taskbar area |
| outline some of these basic steps. | | | | Get a printer switch: Printer switches enable you |
| Connection: To be able to connect both | | | | to connect 2 computers to one printer. They |
| computers to a single printer you need to setup | | | | come in a variety of types such as auto printer |
| printer on 'client' PC: | | | | switch and parallel printer switch. There are |
| Connect printer to 'client' PC and install it. This way | | | | several vendors available online who provide these |
| all required software and drivers are installed. | | | | switches at good discounts. |
| Reconnect to 'host' PC | | | | Crossover cable: You can easily get a crossover |
| Select 'Properties' by right clicking | | | | cable from your local computer store to connect |
| Select 'shared' | | | | your computers to your printer. After that you |
| In 'client' PC: | | | | can network and open the desired printer and |
| Select 'My Network Places' or 'Network | | | | enable it to be shared between both computers. |
| Neighborhood' | | | | Print server: A print server enables you to print |
| Printer appears as 'shared' | | | | simultaneously from two computers at the same |
| Double click on the printer to install it | | | | time. However you need to ensure you have a |
| The same printer is now installed twice - as local | | | | router (which will act as a DHCP server). You also |
| and network printer | | | | need to make sure that it's not a multifunctional |
| If always using network printer, set it as 'default' | | | | printer you're working with since most print |
| Set up a LAN: To be able to perform a 2 pc 1 | | | | servers are not able to work with such kinds of |
| printer connection, you first need to set up a LAN | | | | printers. In case you do not have a router, you |
| or a Local Area Network. To do this, follow these | | | | could purchase a PSUS4 print server, then assign |
| instructions: | | | | static IP on the network cards and print server. |
| You could either use a network adapter in your | | | | No network ports present: In case there are no |
| home office OR | | | | network ports present, then you can use either |
| To view the status of the network connection, | | | | USB or parallel port adapters for your purpose. |