Connecting printer to 2nd computer?

Jen Red Purple · 19-08-08, 09:15

Hello, thanks for looking.

I have had a new printer/scanner for a while and have had problems scanning from the pc. Found out it is because my pc has too little RAM for the scanning operations. So, I am going to get some more RAM but meanwhile, can I connect a laptop to the printer?

Do I have to install the software or could I just connect it through USB, and then will it search for software online?

I want to leave the old pc connected for printing but use the laptop for scanning.

Hope that makes sense and that some kind soul can help, please.

WendyPusey · 19-08-08, 10:44

Yes you can do this, but you will have to keep unplugging the scanner when youwant to print and vice versa.

If the laptop is XP or Vista there is a good chance it will work as soon as you plug it in. If it doesn't then you will need to install the software from the CD.

Jen Red Purple · 19-08-08, 10:57

Hi Wendy, thank you.

Please can you clear up the following question? I *know* I used to be bright, dunno what went wrong!

When you say keep unplugging the scanner do you mean take out the connection to the pc before sticking the laptop cable in the usb? Or unplug the power?

Lindag · 19-08-08, 12:56

I would have thought that if you keep your other printer as the default printer you would not have to keep unplugging the scanner/printer.

I have two printers set up on my computer and the default one is the one automatically selected and when I want to use the other then I manually selected. I am no expert but I would think that the software that you use for scanning will recognise the scanner/printer as a scanner. If I am wrong, there are plenty out there with much more knowledge on this than me.

Linda

Jen Red Purple · 19-08-08, 15:29

Sorry, Linda, I haven't made myself clear here, I tend to waffle!

There is only one printer, which is also a scanner.

My desktop will print things but not scan them.

I want to leave the printer where it is, sitting next to my desktop screen, and bring in the laptop.

The laptop should have enough RAM to do the scanning, so I can scan stuff, save it to a stick and transfer it onto my pc.

Thanks for your help.

WendyPusey · 19-08-08, 15:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen Red Purple

Hi Wendy, thank you.

Please can you clear up the following question? I *know* I used to be bright, dunno what went wrong!

When you say keep unplugging the scanner do you mean take out the connection to the pc before sticking the laptop cable in the usb? Or unplug the power?

I meant that you just have to unplug the usb plug from the PC when you want to use the laptop.

Jen Red Purple · 19-08-08, 15:38

OK, got ya, thanks very much - I will give it a go shortly.

Lindag · 19-08-08, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen Red Purple

Sorry, Linda, I haven't made myself clear here, I tend to waffle!

Don't apologise, it's been one of those days and I guess I'm not quite with it today. Hope you've got everything sorted now.

Linda

Jen Red Purple · 20-08-08, 11:57

Yay!

Pulled the usb out the back of the tower, whacked it in the lappy, agreed to search for driver & that was it!

Printed a doc off fine.

But I am going to have to put the cd in for the all-in-one software so I can scan.

Thanks again, Wendy & Linda xx

WendyPusey · 20-08-08, 12:22

Glad you got it sorted.

19-08-08, 09:15	#1 (permalink)
Jen Red Purple Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sarf Posts: 134	Connecting printer to 2nd computer? Hello, thanks for looking. I have had a new printer/scanner for a while and have had problems scanning from the pc. Found out it is because my pc has too little RAM for the scanning operations. So, I am going to get some more RAM but meanwhile, can I connect a laptop to the printer? Do I have to install the software or could I just connect it through USB, and then will it search for software online? I want to leave the old pc connected for printing but use the laptop for scanning. Hope that makes sense and that some kind soul can help, please. __________________ Jen xx "Trying to stay sane inside insanity"

19-08-08, 10:44	#2 (permalink)
WendyPusey Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Isle of Wight Posts: 974	Yes you can do this, but you will have to keep unplugging the scanner when youwant to print and vice versa. If the laptop is XP or Vista there is a good chance it will work as soon as you plug it in. If it doesn't then you will need to install the software from the CD. __________________ Wendy Genealogists don't die, they just lose their census. Genealogy: It's all relative in the end. I'd rather look for dead people than have them look for me. I'm always late; my ancestors arrived on the Juneflower. "Information given in this posting is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk"

19-08-08, 10:57	#3 (permalink)
Jen Red Purple Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sarf Posts: 134	Hi Wendy, thank you. Please can you clear up the following question? I know I used to be bright, dunno what went wrong! When you say keep unplugging the scanner do you mean take out the connection to the pc before sticking the laptop cable in the usb? Or unplug the power? __________________ Jen xx "Trying to stay sane inside insanity" Last edited by Jen Red Purple; 19-08-08 at 11:57.

19-08-08, 15:29	#5 (permalink)
Jen Red Purple Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sarf Posts: 134	Sorry, Linda, I haven't made myself clear here, I tend to waffle! There is only one printer, which is also a scanner. My desktop will print things but not scan them. I want to leave the printer where it is, sitting next to my desktop screen, and bring in the laptop. The laptop should have enough RAM to do the scanning, so I can scan stuff, save it to a stick and transfer it onto my pc. Thanks for your help. __________________ Jen xx "Trying to stay sane inside insanity" Last edited by Jen Red Purple; 19-08-08 at 15:32.

19-08-08, 15:38	#7 (permalink)
Jen Red Purple Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sarf Posts: 134	OK, got ya, thanks very much - I will give it a go shortly. __________________ Jen xx "Trying to stay sane inside insanity"

19-08-08, 12:56	#4 (permalink)
Lindag Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 20	I would have thought that if you keep your other printer as the default printer you would not have to keep unplugging the scanner/printer. I have two printers set up on my computer and the default one is the one automatically selected and when I want to use the other then I manually selected. I am no expert but I would think that the software that you use for scanning will recognise the scanner/printer as a scanner. If I am wrong, there are plenty out there with much more knowledge on this than me. Linda

20-08-08, 11:57	#9 (permalink)
Jen Red Purple Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sarf Posts: 134	Yay! Pulled the usb out the back of the tower, whacked it in the lappy, agreed to search for driver & that was it! Printed a doc off fine. But I am going to have to put the cd in for the all-in-one software so I can scan. Thanks again, Wendy & Linda xx __________________ Jen xx "Trying to stay sane inside insanity"

20-08-08, 12:22	#10 (permalink)
WendyPusey Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Isle of Wight Posts: 974	Glad you got it sorted. __________________ Wendy Genealogists don't die, they just lose their census. Genealogy: It's all relative in the end. I'd rather look for dead people than have them look for me. I'm always late; my ancestors arrived on the Juneflower. "Information given in this posting is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk"

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