USB Switch - Electronic Circuits Projects Diagrams Free

goldeneye · 28th March 2007, 02:52 PM

Hey all,

I would like to share my home printer between 2 computers, I have heard that I can do this with a USB switch, can anyone give me some more information on these?

**3v0** · 28th March 2007, 02:59 PM

http://www.answers.com/topic/usb-switch

evandude · 28th March 2007, 03:04 PM

Just to clarify, you can "share" it by physically switching between one computer or the other, but you cannot have it actually accessible by both computers at once. All you should need to switch it is a simple switch - you'd need to switch the two data wires, and probably the power wire as well, so a 3PDT or 4PDT switch should do the job if you want to build something yourself.

A quick google search revealed a number of units that do this, most with 2-4 computer connections and 1 device connection, using simple pushbuttons to switch between PC's, but most seem to be $30 or more which seems steep to me.

Personally, I'd just network the PC's, hook the printer up to one, and share it over the network so both can print from it.

philba · 30th March 2007, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evandude

Personally, I'd just network the PC's, hook the printer up to one, and share it over the network so both can print from it.

or network them and get a simple print server.

goldeneye · 4th April 2007, 02:46 PM

Sounds a little confusing to me, i might just give the switch a go and see how that goes before networking. I have seen some good products on Lindy http://www.lindy.com/uk/

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28th March 2007, 02:52 PM	(permalink)
goldeneye	USB Switch Hey all, I would like to share my home printer between 2 computers, I have heard that I can do this with a USB switch, can anyone give me some more information on these?

28th March 2007, 02:59 PM	(permalink)
3v0	http://www.answers.com/topic/usb-switch __________________ search engine for electronic parts Junebug USB PIC programmer kit., USB Bit Wacker, 3v0's Homepage The 15 Minute Printed Circuit Board! (+drill time)

28th March 2007, 03:04 PM	(permalink)
evandude	Just to clarify, you can "share" it by physically switching between one computer or the other, but you cannot have it actually accessible by both computers at once. All you should need to switch it is a simple switch - you'd need to switch the two data wires, and probably the power wire as well, so a 3PDT or 4PDT switch should do the job if you want to build something yourself. A quick google search revealed a number of units that do this, most with 2-4 computer connections and 1 device connection, using simple pushbuttons to switch between PC's, but most seem to be $30 or more which seems steep to me. Personally, I'd just network the PC's, hook the printer up to one, and share it over the network so both can print from it. __________________ EEgeek.net

4th April 2007, 02:46 PM	(permalink)
goldeneye	USB switch Sounds a little confusing to me, i might just give the switch a go and see how that goes before networking. I have seen some good products on Lindy http://www.lindy.com/uk/