Connecting 2 macs to 1 printer via a hub

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Level 1

20 points

Connecting 2 macs to 1 printer via a hub

I have an iBook G4 and a PowerBookG4. I use a hub for all my peripherals and would like to use just one printer for both computers. There is only one computer port (USB mini B connector) on the hub. How do I connect both computers into the hub into which the printer cable is connected?

iBookG4 and Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.8) iBook operating system = 10.3.9

Posted on Nov 4, 2006 6:55 PM

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Answer 1

John Huber1

Level 6

17,745 points

Nov 4, 2006 7:45 PM in response to tandemrider

Hi,

Welcome to the Discussions.

I believe you need a Mac compatible print server or an Apple Base Station/AirPort Express to do it over a network.

You can also connect it to one of the macs and share it.

John

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Answer 2

tandemrider Author

Level 1

20 points

Nov 6, 2006 6:44 AM in response to John Huber1

Thank you for your response. I have wireless internet and can make the two computers "talk" to each other. Can I use this setup to get one computer to tell the other one to print from the printer connected via hub to that printer?

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Answer 3

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Nov 6, 2006 8:35 AM in response to tandemrider

Yes. On the Mac connected to the printer, open the Sharing preferences pane and enable Printer Sharing.

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Answer 4

Nov 6, 2006 11:54 AM in response to tandemrider

Or, go to the the "Print and Fax" preference pane, select the "Sharing" tab at the top and check the box that says "Share these printers with other computers" on the mac that is connected to the printer. And make sure that the printer that you want to share has a checkbox next to it's name in that same window.

iBook G4 1 GHz, 768, Mac OS X (10.4.8), 20GB 4G iPod

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Answer 5

tandemrider Author

Level 1

20 points

Nov 11, 2006 8:19 AM in response to John Huber1

Thank you for both suggestions. I'll give them a try.

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Answer 6

tandemrider Author

Level 1

20 points

Nov 12, 2006 8:50 AM in response to Pentax Vanguard

I tried both suggestions with no results. I tried to make sure both computers were "talking" to each other by two methods: 1) via connecting to the "server" from the Powerbook to the iBook(Finder>Go>Connect to server>select the iBook>connect) and then tried to print from the Powerbook through the iBook using your directions for setting printer sharing preferences and 2) connected both computers to each other via an ethernet cable (also with the printer sharing preferences set). No luck with either connection. Do I need to get the computers to "talk" to each other a different way?'

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Answer 7

tandemrider Author

Level 1

20 points

Nov 12, 2006 4:39 PM in response to tandemrider

I have my problem solved. I tried the solutions suggested by Pentax Vanguard and by John Huber 1 as well as going to the Print box>Printer>click on Shared Printers and chosing the printer I wanted to share. Thanks for the help!

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Answer 8

John Huber1

Level 6

17,745 points

Nov 12, 2006 5:34 PM in response to tandemrider

You're welcome.

John

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Answer 9

Nov 28, 2006 3:20 PM in response to tandemrider

I have an iMacG4 and PowerMacG4 (both 10.2.8) and HP 2300 Laserjet printer, all networked via a Hawking hub (PN500TPA). Each device connects to the hub by ethernet connection. This worked fine until I had to disconnect everything without confirming which port on the hub each cable connected to or noting my sharing preferences. I use the Power Mac as a server. I can still use my iMac to access files from the Power Mac, but I can no longer print from the iMac. (The Power Mac prints fine.) What do I need to do to restore my ability to print directly from the iMac?

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