nanwill
asked on
Using 2 printers with 1 PC
I'd like to be able to use both of my printers - a Canon BJC 620 and an Epson Stylus Photo 750 - with my PC, a Dell PentiumI (Windows 95, no USB). The Epson (which can be used with both Macs and PCs) is connected to my Mac PowerBook G3/233 laptop via its serial port (no USB on the Mac either) and to the PC via the parallel port. I suppose I can add another parallel port to the PC, but I was wondering whether I might instead use some kind of mechanism, such as a switch with cables, to enable me to go back and forth between the Canon and Epson printers while I'm on the Dell PC, and still leave me free to use the Epson when I'm on the Mac. How might I work this and still have good printer performance? (I now detach and re-attach the cable whenI want to change printers).
sorgie
there are switch boxes available for your purpose. Check with your local computer store or electronic store. These devices are similar to AB switch used on tv's. I believe they also make electronic switches but manuels are inexpensive
I recommend the second parallel port. That way every thing is automated. You choose your printer with the software when you print. I find that today's printers are far more fragile that the older printers. I recently blew up a deskjet by turning it on after I had sent a document to it. Manual switching, which is defitely not recommended by most of today's manufacturers, can produce the same effect.
ASKER
I appreciate the warning. Has anyone had his or her printer damaged as the result of using a switch box?
--------------------------
Content-Disposition: form-data; name="qid"
10334007
--------------------------
Content-Disposition: form-data; name="Submit"
Submit
--------------------------
--------------------------
Content-Disposition: form-data; name="qid"
10334007
--------------------------
Content-Disposition: form-data; name="Submit"
Submit
--------------------------
Hi!
How about IR link, that's quite popular in small offices, most( all PII and later) PC's are ready for it just add the "box" on mb.
Matti
How about IR link, that's quite popular in small offices, most( all PII and later) PC's are ready for it just add the "box" on mb.
Matti
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
This information is useful to me.