I have a home network using a wireless Linksys router. If I purchase a wireless USB adapter and plug it into the USB port of my printer, can that effectively make the printer available to the PCs that are connected to the network?

No, that won't work. You best bet is to buy standalone print server that is compatible with your printer.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Print_server

Refer to 4 & 5 bulletpoints

or you could share the printer from one pc thats always on across wifi. you should use encryption if your worried about privacy/security.

Print servers are the way to go, $50-100 bucks.

Or you can get a new printer with networking built-in. Unfortunately my favorite printer manufacturer (Canon) doesn't make printers with built-in networking. And using a print-server will break the use of the built-in card reader.

So I got an HP Laser from work (with a built-in print server) that I do most of my B&W printing on. My wife wasn't so happy to see this big giant on our desk at first, but when she printed a recipe from the living room, she was hooked. I still get the "I wish it was smaller" comment every now and then...

If you really want to hold onto your old printer, a print server is the best option.

If you're willing to get a new printer, I'd recommend the Samsung ML2851ND. It's a network, duplexing printer that takes up no more space than my old ML1740 (single sided, no network). You should be able to find one at a local retailer for about $200. Mind you... I don't know of many inkjet network printers...

Hello.

What about the Xerox Phaser 6110N or Samsung CLP 300N? Different names, same hardware.

If you print a lot, a HP OfficeJet is also a nice option, there are several officejets with network connections built in

Keep an eye out for a refurbished print server. I picked up a Netgear PS121 refurbished from geeks.com for $22.50 and it's been working nicely for me.

Hooked up my USB Epson printer, plugged print server into switch, and printing works nice and easy. Even with Linux over wireless.

Good luck.

I love our new HP Officejet Pro All-in-one which prints, sends faxes, scans aond copies duplex. It's faster, cheaper and quieter than our older Color Laserjet All-in-one. And it has networking built in.

Problem is, when one part breaks, the whole thing gets junked. Saves space on your desk, not in the landfill - or Chinese e-waste village.

Tried 3 different hp all-in-one models, only one lasted slightly over one year. and the damn Hp software is the biggest piece of bloatware I ever have seen. Installing the software from disc totally screws up my home network until all software patches are applied just right. And i think the download for update was over 400mb, try that on a satellite connection and you'll be FAPed for a week and throttled to below dial up speeds cause your a bandwidth hog.


....ranting done... not a big HP fan as you can tell.

Hey xan,

You can go to the HP website, search for the driver, and for many of the products there is one called something like corporate driver that is MUCH smaller, and at least for the couple I have tried seemed to only install the driver.

Thx, but driver only downloads, at least for the model i own, do not have the network share ability. If i wan't to use the wifi or cat5 I needed the 400mb file. Thats what pissed me off. maybe now they offer it but not when i first got it...