Sharing a non network printer.

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by BulletSponge62485, Oct 20, 2008.

  1. BulletSponge62485

    BulletSponge62485 Private E-2

    Ok, here is the situation. We have one computer that is connected to a standard Deskjet printer via USB. There are 4 other computers in this same room that we would like to have be able to print to this printer. I am looking for a way that would preferably not use a print server as this is at a school and funding is limited. If anyone out there knows of a way to make these 5 computers all print to the same printer then please offer up your suggestions. Thanks!
     
  2. buggabear

    buggabear MajorGeek

    if you network the computers and share the printer through the desktop that it's connected to, every computer will print to it.
     
  3. buggabear

    buggabear MajorGeek

  4. buggabear

    buggabear MajorGeek

  5. BulletSponge62485

    BulletSponge62485 Private E-2

    I believe that we tried that before but when I get to work tomorrow I will try those steps and see what the outcome is. I will get back with you if that method did not work:)
     
  6. BulletSponge62485

    BulletSponge62485 Private E-2

    Now these computers are already on the school's network. Would the same steps need to be taken for setting up a local network? Or would I be able to skip the setting up the network step since they are already on the network for the school? We want only the computers in that one room to print to the printer there, not all the computers on the network.
     
  7. buggabear

    buggabear MajorGeek

    You may be able to use that printer on the network however if you open it up to sharing and it recognizes it on the network then everyone may have access to it. This is a long shot but try this once the sharing is enabled. On one of the other machines goto my start settings printers add network printer, look for the printer attached to the computer, then add it to that machine. This may be a long shot since the printer is connected to a pc not directly to the network
     
  8. buggabear

    buggabear MajorGeek

    As far as networking the computers already on the schools network, I can't answer that one because I've never tried this. Since you are in a school that has a network setup, you will probably need the IT person to assist you and give you network permission. Most companies (municipalities) don't like employees tampering with any of their systems and restrict how much you can alter any of the PC's.
     
  9. BulletSponge62485

    BulletSponge62485 Private E-2

    I wish there was someone for me to turn to:) I am 50% of the IT department for this school. Neither one of us can think of a way to make that printer only allow the 5 computers in that room to print to it and not all of them on the network. We are also not sure what to do since the printer is, like you said, connecting to a computer that is on the network but not actually connecting to the network. When I get to work tomorrow I will try your ideas and see how it goes. Thank you so much for your help.
     
  10. BulletSponge62485

    BulletSponge62485 Private E-2

    Well, we got the other computers to print to the printer. Now there is only one issue remaining before we can call this resolved. When at one of the student computers we are able to print when logged into windows as administrator. When we log in to a student user ID it no longer prints coming up with an error message saying that we are unable to print. We have changed the settings on the main computer that the printer is plugged into giving everyone the right to print yet the student computers are still unable to print when logged in as a student. Any suggestions for that issue? You were spot on with how to get them to print though so thank you for that.
     
  11. buggabear

    buggabear MajorGeek

    I think the problem is the students have restricted access, not full admin authority. For instance as an administrator you can change any setting you want but the students are limited to what they can surf and download. You have to find a way as 1/2 of the IT department, to edit their user accounts and give them print access but still limit their account so they won't run amok on your schools computers.
     
  12. foogoo

    foogoo Major "foogoo" Geek


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