HP Printer USB and Parallel

[FanBlade01]

Is it possible to have an HP Inkjet that has both a parallel port and USB port, be connected to 2 PC’s? I want to have one PC hooked up using the parallel port, and one using the USB Port. Is this possible or is it just not going to work.

Thanks.

[ilovetheusers]

Try it and find out. I would assume that if only 1 machine was on at a time that you would be fine. Both machines, however may confuse it depending upon how "tied in" to the OS it is (You know how some printers have that monitoring software crap - ie cannon). You may want to refer to the manual or to <a href="http://www.hp.com" target="_blank">www.hp.com</a> and ask support.

If all else fails - instale the printer on one machine and share it out over the network OR if they are not networked - get a switch box for the computers to hook it up to both.

[Draggar]

Interesting idea, honestly, I don't see why not.
Just install the parallel first, then the USB (that would be my suggestion)...

I've been wondering if it is possible to use a USB hub backwards to do something similar..

Just getting the A/B gender changer...

[IT Len]

While you're trying this...keep in mind that some of HP's printers require you to load different drivers from the install CD, depending on what type of connection you're using.

[DonJ]

Looks like it depends on the model of the DeskJet...go here to read up on <a href="http://www.hp.com/cposupport/printers/support_doc/bpd09110.html" target="_blank">HP Deskjet Printers - How to Switch from a USB to a Parallel Connection</a>. Scroll down to the bottom of that page to "Can I use USB and parallel connections at the same time?" They say that "The HP Deskjet 960C, 980C, and 990C series printers can print to both parallel and USB ports at the same time. You can connect these printers to one computer with a USB cable and to another computer with a parallel cable." Hopefully, you have one of these models...or, you might be SOL.

Let us know how it goes...Good Luck!