[Ham-Computers] Using a USB Printer with Multiple Computers

[Jim Hill]

Problem solved!  I need to use USB switches
Details on my setup follow for those who might be interested:
I used two USB switches purchased from Amazon.com (search for USB 
switch).  I used a two-port IOGear GUB231 automatic switch to switch 
the printer between the computer and a 15 or 16 foot USB A  male to 
USB A female extension cable that extends across the room to the 
other computers.  At the other end, I used a USB no-name   " 4 PC to 
1 USB 2.0 Device ABCD Switch Box", Item 4 in the Amazon.com list. It 
is a manual switch with four output ports. I read somewhere the USB 
cable length should not exceed about 15', but I have closer to 20' 
.  Be careful about connectors.  I needed to connect a USB A female 
connector on the extension cable to a USB B female connector on the 
automatic switch.  I used an easily available A male to B male cable, 
but that added unnecessary length.  I should have purchased an adapter.

A caution.
My new Brother HL-5370DW printer has wireless, USB, and parallel 
printer ports.  I attempted to use both the USB and parallel printer 
ports, the parallel port for the nearby computer, and the USB port 
for the distant printers.   Initially, I installed the USB port 
driver, then attempted to install the parallel port driver.  It 
didn't work, so I uninstalled the drivers (Brother has an uninstall 
option), and just reinstalled the USB driver.  I could print, but a 
Found new hardware screen appeares every time I start the 
computer.  I use disk imaging, where an image of the C: drive can be 
saved for restoration purposes should problems occur.   I use 
Terabyte Image for DOS, but Norton Ghost and Acronis True image are 
probably more familiar app's. Returning to an earlier image didn't 
fix the problem.  Maybe there is an issue in BIOS, but nothing there 
seems to apply to printers.  I'm stumped, but at least the computer 
is still working.

If you use LINUX and intend to buy a Brother printer,  select a model 
that has drivers for your distribution.  For the uninitiated, Linux 
comes in many versions (called distributions) These distro's have 
applications, drivers, etc. that they have been "blessed" and are 
available at their site. Ubuntu calls this area the repository.  If 
you are a novice, use other printers at your own risk. You will soon 
be overwhelmed by Linux-ese.  Brother has info on suitable Linux 
drivers for my printer model (I guess), but I can't understand their 
Ubuntu driver information section.

73's Jim





At 02:07 PM 3/21/2011, you wrote:
>My old HP LaserJet 4 (with only a parallel port) failed, and I
>purchased a new Brother HL-5370DW laser Printer.
>
>In my previous setup, I connected the LaserJet 4 to a Belkin F1U115E
>compact Auto Switch.  One of the output ports went to a computer, and
>the second port to the input port of another Belkin which was
>connected to the two other computers.  If the computer only had USB,
>I used a Cables To Go 16899 USB to DB25 IEEE-1284 Parallel Printer
>Adapter Cable, purchased from Amazon.com.  The printer automatically
>connected to the appropriate printer when needed.
>
>I wanted to switch to all USB, and attempted to use a USB hub in
>place of the Belkin Auto Switch.  It didn't work.  The input port of
>the hub must be connected to a computer for the hub to operate.  I
>wanted to connect the input port to the printer.  Maybe I need a
>switch (found in Amazon.com by searching for switch box), but wanted
>to ask before purchasing more equipment.  Actually, I'll need two
>switches.  I have one computer and the printer on one side of the
>room, and the other computers on the other side, and would use a
>switch on each side of the room.
>
>There are other alternatives, which are not as desirable.
>
>One is to use wireless, but I have older computers without wireless.
>
>I could also share, but then I need to have the "main" computer on
>whenever I'm printing.  I turn off unused computers.
>
>The third choice is to use the parallel printer port on the printer
>and the switch boxes, using adapter cables as needed. I should have a
>cleaner setup with just USB devices and the hubs or switches would
>provide additional USB ports in a more convenient location than the
>rear of the computer.  Also, I thought the hub or switch would
>provide more power for the long cable connected to the two sides of
>the room.  A USB cable seems to work fine, but using a printer cable
>to cross the room provided marginal results.
>
>Jim
>
>
>
>
>
>
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