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tempus · 11-01-2006, 05:45 AM

I have two printers that share a virtual USB printer port and I want to have it set up so I can switch printers when necessary. As it is now both are connected to by their own usb cable to my computer but I still need to switch a cable if i want to switch printer.

ktkendall · 11-01-2006, 08:11 AM

Can you not have 2 usb printer ports in XP?

tempus · 11-01-2006, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktkendall

Can you not have 2 usb printer ports in XP?

Well that is what I thought but after looking at the port there is only 1 virtual USB printer port.

EzyStvy · 11-01-2006, 01:15 PM

I'm note sure what a virtual USB printer port does, but why are you using it if both printers are connected to the pc?

Ob1 · 11-01-2006, 01:50 PM

Virtual Printer Port
The connection to a printer over the network. Creating a virtual printer port really means assigning the computer a printer protocol with the port physically being the network connection

can be located by right clicking a printer, choosing properties, then the ports tab.

i believe if you plug both printers in via USB, and install the drivers for both that windows will assign the second printer a USB002 virtual printer port for USB.

tempus · 11-02-2006, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ob1

Virtual Printer Port
i believe if you plug both printers in via USB, and install the drivers for both that windows will assign the second printer a USB002 virtual printer port for USB.

Yes both printers are plugged in via USB yet when I got to install the driver software for my second printer it does not create a second virtual printer port. Both are on USB connections to the motherboard.

ktkendall · 11-02-2006, 08:14 AM

So you are saying you have to plug the printer you actually want to use into the 1 usb port, and either printer will work as long as it's plugged into that one usb port????

***glc*** · 11-02-2006, 08:28 AM

If both printers are connected, and they are both in the printers folder and show as ready, you should be able to print to either one simply by selecting it in the print dialog in the program you are printing from. Is this not the case?

tempus · 11-02-2006, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glc

If both printers are connected, and they are both in the printers folder and show as ready, you should be able to print to either one simply by selecting it in the print dialog in the program you are printing from. Is this not the case?

no that is not the case. for some reason only 1 virtual printer port exists.

***glc*** · 11-02-2006, 09:24 AM

What are the exact models of the 2 printers?

tempus · 11-02-2006, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glc

What are the exact models of the 2 printers?

Brother HL-2040
HP Deskjet 842

Both on USB.

***glc*** · 11-03-2006, 02:55 AM

Put one of them on the parallel port. They both have parallel ports. Just because a printer has USB doesn't mean you HAVE to use it. There's no speed difference.

11-01-2006, 05:45 AM	#1
tempus Member (10 bit) Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 705	How to make 2 printers work.... I have two printers that share a virtual USB printer port and I want to have it set up so I can switch printers when necessary. As it is now both are connected to by their own usb cable to my computer but I still need to switch a cable if i want to switch printer. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ C1) Intel C2D 3.0GHz E8400 \| Asus P5K-E - BIOS rev.1012 \| Corsair 2GB \| Ati HD 3850 \| Seagate 7200.11 500gb SATA AD14 \| Seagate 7200.10 320G SATA 3.AAC \| LG GH20NS10 \| Antec Sonata Plus 550 with Neopower \| Samsung SyncMaster 931DF \| Altec-Lansing VS2220 \| D-Link DI-604 \| Gnet BB2060 \| Windows 7 Pro 64 bit C2) Intel P4 2.8 GHz \| Asus P4C800E-DX - BIOS rev.1023 \| Corsair TwinX 1GB \| Ati Radeon 9600XT \| Maxtor SATA 200gb \| Antec TP II 480W \| LG GSA-H55N x 2 \| Evercase E4252 \| Samsung SyncMaster 731DF \| Windows 7 Pro

11-01-2006, 08:11 AM	#2
ktkendall Telcom Tech Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Western, Pa. Posts: 5,409	Can you not have 2 usb printer ports in XP? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ If it ain't broke, "TWEAK IT"

11-01-2006, 01:15 PM	#4
EzyStvy Ride 'em Cowboy Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Dallas, Tx Posts: 9,018	I'm note sure what a virtual USB printer port does, but why are you using it if both printers are connected to the pc? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ Stand Up 2 Cancer - SU2C

11-01-2006, 01:50 PM	#5
Ob1 EGO MY LEGO Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Tatooine, Binary Star System Posts: 1,740	Virtual Printer Port The connection to a printer over the network. Creating a virtual printer port really means assigning the computer a printer protocol with the port physically being the network connection can be located by right clicking a printer, choosing properties, then the ports tab. i believe if you plug both printers in via USB, and install the drivers for both that windows will assign the second printer a USB002 virtual printer port for USB. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter __________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Inspirion 8600/centrino 1.6ghz/1024mb ram/80gb hard drive hitachi/intel pro wireless 2200bg/15.4sxga/Ati 128mb Radeon Mobility 9600/xp pro w/sp2 dimension 4700/P4 2.8ghz 800mhz FSB/1.5 ddr2 ram PC 3200/2X160gb sata maxtor 8mb cache RAID 1/19 in dell flat panel/windows server 2003 Small Business Server standard edition SP1 w/Exchange SP2

11-02-2006, 08:14 AM	#7
ktkendall Telcom Tech Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Western, Pa. Posts: 5,409	So you are saying you have to plug the printer you actually want to use into the 1 usb port, and either printer will work as long as it's plugged into that one usb port???? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

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11-02-2006, 08:28 AM	#8
*glc* Forum Administrator Staff Premium Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Joplin MO Posts: 36,466	If both printers are connected, and they are both in the printers folder and show as ready, you should be able to print to either one simply by selecting it in the print dialog in the program you are printing from. Is this not the case? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

11-02-2006, 09:24 AM	#10
*glc* Forum Administrator Staff Premium Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Joplin MO Posts: 36,466	What are the exact models of the 2 printers? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

11-03-2006, 02:55 AM	#12
*glc* Forum Administrator Staff Premium Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Joplin MO Posts: 36,466	Put one of them on the parallel port. They both have parallel ports. Just because a printer has USB doesn't mean you HAVE to use it. There's no speed difference. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter

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