Networked printer

Your printer isn't ethernet compatible (yet). You need a print server to convert parallel-port talk to ethernet talk. NetGear makes a Mini Print Server PS101 that ought to do the job.

There's a no-cost alternative: plug your printer into one of the computers on the network and set it up as a shared resource. Badness: that computer must be booted up whenever anybody on your LAN wants to print.

Roby

Some of the older HP printers were windows only printers (like a winmodem, much of the processing was shifted to the OS). I'm not sure, but I believe the 960c was one of those. If it is, I doubt you will be able to make it work except when attached to a Windows computer.

Pretty close. The PS101 has a Centronics connector that plugs directly into your printer. Your assignment: find something else to do with the orphaned printer cable ... a new leash for Rowf perhaps?

Roby

You've got several steps to go thru after you get the print server wired up. Look for the "getting started" literature that comes with your print server and follow the instructions. Youi'll also need to have the right print drivers for your OS at hand.

There are several ways to hook up multiple PCs via a print server. All of them work, but it can be confusing. Follow the instructions that come in the box.

Thats great! They're not too expensive either.

So I just plug in the printer using the parallel cable to the Print Serrver and then plug in the Print server to the router using an ethernet cable.

Hope I'm right in my understanding on how it works.

This networking stuff sure gets complicated very quickly!

In little tiny print on the

Is that "just" a printer? The wireless sharing solutions generally don't work with printer/scanner/fax multi-function machines, although they should work okay with simple printers. Printers known to work:

Thanks Roby, your replies are much appreciatted. The PS101 looks to be exactly what I need. It all seems so simple now! (fingers crossed it will stay that way!)

Thanks again

Thanks for pointing out that print, its confirmed to me that PS101 is excatly what I need. My printer is just a a basic inkjet model. Its not on the Netgear list, but google shows that people have got it working fine with the PS101.

Thanks

I hope it will work. All parts are ordered now. My 960C is getting pretty old now, and I'm not happy with the ink costs, if it doesn't work it'll give me a good excuse to get a new printer.

Be aware that if your printer is a multifunction device (ie combi printer/fax/copier/scanner type), it probably won't work with a printserver as the scanner/fax engine uses special protocols to talk to your computer, and the printserver won't know how to handle these.