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Installing printer on two individual computers

mioliere
mioliere Posts: 6,838 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
in Techie Stuff
I have a desktop PC and a laptop, and use both regularly. I have a printer installed on the desktop and would like to install it on to the laptop, too. I am not technically-minded so don't really understand about setting up a network. Is it possible to install the same printer on the laptop so that I can just move the cable from one PC to the other as and when I need to? Failing that, does anyone here have a way of explaining how to set up a network in simple terms? Obviously, I am trying to avoid having to buy a second printer!

Many thanks in anticipation!
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Comments

  • jackieblack
    jackieblack Posts: 10,626 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    mioliere wrote: »
    I have a desktop PC and a laptop, and use both regularly. I have a printer installed on the desktop and would like to install it on to the laptop, too. I am not technically-minded so don't really understand about setting up a network. Is it possible to install the same printer on the laptop so that I can just move the cable from one PC to the other as and when I need to? Failing that, does anyone here have a way of explaining how to set up a network in simple terms? Obviously, I am trying to avoid having to buy a second printer!

    Many thanks in anticipation!

    Yes, that's what I've done. Just install the driver on the laptop and then connect the printer cable to whichever machine you want to print from.
    Everything will be alright in the end so, if it’s not yet alright, it means it’s not yet the end
    Quidquid Latine dictum sit altum videtur
  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,129 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    But rather tedious swapping the USB cables over constantly. If the printer is wireless then you can print direct from the laptop without the PC being on, just install the printer drivers on the laptop. If not, you'll need to have the PC switched on to print over the network.
    Setting up a network is very straightforward on Vista/W7/W8. Just Google it for your OS.
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
  • mioliere
    mioliere Posts: 6,838 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Jackieblack and Macman - many thanks to you both for your replies.
    KNIT YOUR SQUARE TOTALS:

    Squares: 11, Animal blankets: 2
  • debitcardmayhem
    debitcardmayhem Posts: 13,422 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Depending on your router you could plug the printer into the router perhaps
    4.8kWp 12x400W Longhi 9.6 kWh battery Giv-hy 5.0 Inverter, WSW facing Essex . Aint no sunshine ☀️ Octopus gas fixed dec 24 @ 5.74 tracker again+ Octopus Intelligent Flux leccy

    CEC Email energyclub@moneysavingexpert.com
  • mioliere
    mioliere Posts: 6,838 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Debitcardmayhem - thanks for your reply.
    KNIT YOUR SQUARE TOTALS:

    Squares: 11, Animal blankets: 2
  • cookie365
    cookie365 Posts: 1,809 Forumite
    I was going to suggest the router option. What model router do you have? Does it have a USB socket?
  • mioliere
    mioliere Posts: 6,838 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Hi, Cookie365. Thanks for your reply. I have a Livebox-9454. I am in France and my Internet is via Orange.fr. Yes, it does have a USB socket.
    KNIT YOUR SQUARE TOTALS:

    Squares: 11, Animal blankets: 2
  • debitcardmayhem
    debitcardmayhem Posts: 13,422 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Bonjour mioliere , regarde ca http://ee.co.uk/help/phones-and-device/home-broadband/livebox/livebox-set-up-a-print-server#orange
    This may help:D
    4.8kWp 12x400W Longhi 9.6 kWh battery Giv-hy 5.0 Inverter, WSW facing Essex . Aint no sunshine ☀️ Octopus gas fixed dec 24 @ 5.74 tracker again+ Octopus Intelligent Flux leccy

    CEC Email energyclub@moneysavingexpert.com
  • mioliere
    mioliere Posts: 6,838 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    debitcardmayhem wrote: »
    Bonjour mioliere , regarde ca http://ee.co.uk/help/phones-and-device/home-broadband/livebox/livebox-set-up-a-print-server#orange
    This may help:D

    Je ne savais pas que! Merci beaucoup pour l'information. Bonne journ!e!
    KNIT YOUR SQUARE TOTALS:

    Squares: 11, Animal blankets: 2
  • cookie365
    cookie365 Posts: 1,809 Forumite
    Le smashing :)
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