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

Fri Apr 8 16:10:57 EDT 2011

Great work Jim! Thank you for caring and sharing -

Duane, W8DBF

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Hill" <JJan-3 at cox.net>
To: "Computers (or other) used for amateur radio, communications,or 
experimenting" <ham-computers at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 2:18 AM
Subject: Re: [Ham-Computers] Using a USB Printer with Multiple Computers

> 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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