Member Avatar for rcaastro

Hi,

I have a DELL desktop and laptop, both running XP Pro and am about to take delivery of another DELL desktop running Windows 7. I also have 2 printers, a small HP laserjet for B/W and an HP Photosmart Pro B9180 that I use for photography. Neither of the printers has a wireless capability.

I'd like to network all of these so that I can print from anywhere and have access to any computer from other computer. My older desktop is hardwired to the internet and I am currently using a Linksys router to connect the laptop to the internet, but it seems to be dropping in signal strength of late. Does anyone have any recommendations for a router with two USB ports?

I appreciate any help.

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Quick summary for : two practical routes will solve the reliability and sharing needs — wire the stationary PCs/printers where possible (best stability), or replace the wireless router with one that explicitly supports a USB print server (or add a small dedicated print-server device). ’s wiring idea is the most robust if running cable is feasible; wired ports generally give lower latency and far more consistent throughput than Wi‑Fi for fixed devices. (cisco.com)

Router USB ports are not all the same. Some vendors (ASUS, NETGEAR) provide a USB “printer server” utility that exposes a USB printer over LPR/IPP/SMB and may require the vendor’s client utility on each PC; others have removed print‑server support from many recent models, so a router spec must be checked before buying. If you want a router to host both a printer and a USB drive, verify the router’s USB/print compatibility list and current firmware first. ()

Tradeoffs and a short workflow:

  • If you use a router print server: confirm the router’s printer‑compatibility list, plug the printer into the router USB, reserve its IP in the router, enable the print server in the router GUI, install the router’s USB/print utility on each Windows PC, then install the printer driver and add it (LPR/TCP‑IP/IPP as the router docs instruct).
  • If you use an always‑on PC (best for your photo printer): connect the high‑quality Photosmart to the Windows 7 machine, install the full HP drivers there, enable Windows printer sharing and add the shared printer from the XP boxes (use “Additional drivers” for XP compatibility). Use a static or DHCP‑reserved IP/name for the host so clients can always find it. Follow Microsoft’s sharing and TCP/IP printer setup guidance for correct port/queue choices. (support.microsoft.com)

Notes/cautions: router print servers can be convenient but sometimes only provide basic, one‑way LPR-style access (limited status and advanced features), so for color‑managed photo printing the directly‑attached Windows 7 host usually preserves full functionality. If wireless dropouts are the core problem, try wiring critical devices first or add APs/mesh with wired backhaul rather than relying on a single aging router.

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Member Avatar for monem

you have three computers and two printers and a router for internet access so my advice is to buy a small switch or hub with 8 to 16 ports and connect all you devices wire cables UTP cat5 to solve wireless single strength problem.
and then configure small home network in your Desktop and laptop > in winxp go to my network places and click create small home office network and configure it.
and also configure you printer to add them to your network, usually printers can be accessed from web browser by their ip address or by CDs shipped with them.
Good luck

commented: Nice info +0
Member Avatar for jingda

Mine linksy have two USB ports not sure what is yours. What do you mean by dropping in signal strenth. Do you mean that the internet is very slow sometimes or the network will suddenly dropped and you can't connect to internet. Are you wanting help to solve your internet connectio or a good modem and router that have two USB ports?

Yup i agreed with monem. A switch would be good. Configuring your printer to your network, i am not so sure. I thought yours is not a wireless printer

Edited by jingda because: n/a
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