Shared USB printer

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mushtac

157 posts

Master Geek

#23815 9-Jul-2008 15:57

I have a 17inch MacBook Pro connected to a Fuji Xerox DoucPrint 203A USB laser printer, the MacBook Pro is connected to a wireless network along with two Windows XP Pro workstations. I would like to share the USB laser printer so the Windows XP Pro workstations can print to the Fuji Xerox DoucPrint 203A USB laser printer connected to the MacBook Pro, I assume there are many way to do this in 10.4 but wanted to know the best, hassle-free method. Any suggestions, help is much appreciated.

MattD

663 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#145824 9-Jul-2008 23:18

Would need to check compatibility of the printer first, but might be a few options.

- Airport Extreme Base Station - USB port on back

- Airport Express as wireless client to network, USB port

- Ethernet USB Print Server

However make sure you research the ethernet print servers. We picked up a Netgear one and it was only compatible with Windows. It did not have a http interface and required you to install a windows application to set it up. (now not sure if once set up it would work with Mac OS X, as you have a mixed env and could set up anyhow)

I have had a Brother HL2040 (i think) connected to an Airport Express and worked a treat with both Windows and Mac printing.

mushtac

157 posts

Master Geek

#145948 10-Jul-2008 09:43

Thanks for your advice MattD, unfortunately I don't have an Airport Express. My MacBook Pro has an internal Airport card connected to a Dynalink RTA1025W 4port/wireless/ADSL modem. Will investigate the Ethernet USB print server option. Thanks for your time

gavynj

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#145966 10-Jul-2008 10:05

You should be able to share your USB printer straight from your Mac via Bonjour.

If I can remember correctly on 10.4, you would go to System Preferences > Print & Fax, and you should be able to select your printer and click sharing. This changed in 10.5 to the Sharing preference pane.

Then on your PCs, you just need to install Bonjour for Windows (http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/bonjourforwindows.html). Once that's done, there should be an icon on the desktop for setting up a Bonjour printer. All going well your PCs will see the shared printer off your Mac.

Hope that helps!

mushtac

157 posts

Master Geek

#145970 10-Jul-2008 10:08

Will give that a try and post back, thanks for your time gavynj.

MattD

663 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#145982 10-Jul-2008 10:23

One thing I did not ask in your requirement, was whether the other computers needed to print to the device if the Macbook Pro was not there.

You may already have this working, but you can share the printer that is directly attached to the Macbook Pro.

One of the easiest ways is to install Bonjour for Windows on the PCs and then on the Macbook Pro set printer sharing on under the Sharing page of System Preferences.

Note that there is a difference between Airport Extreme Base Station (wireless router - which you do not need as already have a device) and the Airport Express. You can use this as a Wireless Print Server

(Here’s how simple it is to set up: Just plug the printer into the USB port on the AirPort Express Base Station, add it to the printer list on your Mac or PC, and you’re good to print — without a single cable tethering anyone’s computer to the printer.If all you want to do is access your USB printer wirelessly, you don’t even need a broadband Internet connection. You can just set up your AirPort Express for wireless printing and that’s it.)

The Airport Express will also give you flexibility in where you want to locate the printer, as does not need to be connected via ethernet cable to your existing router (not an issue if nearby in same room)

couple of other Apple support docs that may be useful:

Sharing your printers with other computers

Sharing your printer with Windows users

edit: noted that you have tiger... here is the 10.4 version for Sharing your printer with Windows Users

MattD

663 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#145991 10-Jul-2008 10:33

gavynj: You should be able to share your USB printer straight from your Mac via Bonjour.

Thanks gavynj, I am definitely a slow typist and looked at it this morning and realised I was overcomplicating it.

mushtac

157 posts

Master Geek

#146049 10-Jul-2008 12:08

Thanks for your time MattD, will post update soon.