Sharing Canon PIXMA MP560 Between Two Macs?

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Sharing Canon PIXMA MP560 Between Two Macs?

Hi everyone,

My roommate and I both have MacBook pros, but we figured it would be smarter to just buy one printer and share since this printer is wireless.

However, since the printer was installed on her computer first, I am for some reason unable to print from my computer if her laptop is not open and on. My computer just says it is looking for and cannot find the printer. Obviously this isn't very convenient since I will want to print when she's at work or whatever. How can we configure it differently so that we can both use the printer regardless of whether both computers are in the house and powered on or not?

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.3)

Posted on Apr 3, 2010 2:06 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 3, 2010 5:42 PM in response to MFarnel

MFarnel wrote:
However, since the printer was installed on her computer first, I am for some reason unable to print from my computer if her laptop is not open and on.

Welcome to Apple's discussion groups.

How is the printer configured? Is it connected to the other computer via USB or is it configured to join your wireless network (assuming you have one)?

If the printer is connected via USB and offered via printer sharing from the other Mac, then it would need to be present for your computer to use it. You should be able to work around that by connecting the printer's USB cable to your Mac. To complete that configuration, you may need to define a local printer in the "Print & Fax" panel of System Preferences.

Did you install the printer's drivers on your computer?

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Answer 2

MFarnel Author

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Apr 3, 2010 7:25 PM in response to William-Boyd-Jr

Thanks for the welcome! 🙂

The printer is configured to join the wireless network. Neither of the computers is joined to the printer via a USB cable at the moment. Is it possible for both computers to make use of the printer wirelessly, or if my roommates' computer is absent, would my only option be using the USB cord? This wouldn't be a huge sacrifice, obviously, but it would just be great if we could both make use of its wireless capabilities at all times instead of her computer acting as the sort of admin of the printer.

I do have the printer's CD as well as the latest drivers from the Canon website installed on my computer.

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Answer 3

Apr 3, 2010 7:43 PM in response to MFarnel

MFarnel wrote:
The printer is configured to join the wireless network.

Then I don't understand why the second computer can't print to it.

Is it possible for both computers to make use of the printer wirelessly, or if my roommates' computer is absent, would my only option be using the USB cord?

Perhaps. I have no particular expertise with Canon printers, although I did do some configuring of one recently for a relative. I found that to be a quirky experience. I was mainly just answering you with some things to try based on general principles.

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