How to share USB devices

[ChiaBrit]

Hi,

My wife and I both have PC's at home only we have a single printer and a single scanner. Does anyone know of a way to share the devices so they can be accessed at the same time, kind of like network devices, or of some sort of switching device much like the old paralell switch boxes for printers.

Thanks,

ChiaBrit

 

[Ausm]

What OS are you running..and are you currently networked?



Ausm

 

[ChiaBrit]

Running Win 98 on both systems just using a crossover ethernet cable for now.

ChiaBrit

 

[Ausm]

Do you have file and printer sharing enabled via networking in the control panel?


Ausm

 

[ChiaBrit]

yup. but the printer is USB hooked to her machine. Was hoping to find a solution which didnt involve having to go through her machine if its powered off.

ChiaBrit.

 

[SerraYX]

I believe HP has a printer network for USB.. if I find a link I'll post it..

 

[obenton]

Since USB devices can be safely connected/disconnected while a computer is on, if the computers are reasonably close together just connected the device's USB cable to the computer that wants to use it. For long runs, to prevent signal degradation, there are active USB extension cables that protect signal quality - I've seen up to 80' advertised for about $40.

 

[JackMDS]

Try this Site:

http://www.cyberguys.com/

Look in the Switchboxes section.

 

[ChiaBrit]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback.

SerraYX - Definatley post the link or PM me if you find it would be very interested in that. Will look around myself to see if I can find it.

obenton - We have the extension leads. This is purely a motivational users ass to printer etc matter They work pretty well though.

JackMDS - Thanks for the site Jack definatley going to have to put an order in there. Exactly what I was looking for... low tech and cheap too

Thanks again all,

ChiaBrit