How can I share a scanner with multiple PCs in an office?

Question

I have a Dell 1600n multi function machine. (Printer, Scanner, Fax). I currently have it networked through a wireless router and a PC acting as the server. Is there any way I can share the scanner function? The PC that I want to share the scanner is only about 10 feet away. Is there a way to split the USB off to connect 2 or more PCs directly to the machine?

Answer 1

You might be able to share the scanning function with a USB A/B switch and powered USB extension cable, or you could have the PC it's attached to save the scanned results to a network folder used in common by the rest of the office.

Answer 2

You can remote into that PC using Windows XP desktop remote or better yet Ultra VNC is freeware. If you want to do better than Ultra VNC then I would recommend getting Radmin has no slowness in video screen performance. It's like you're at that desk using the PC just from a remote distance. I use always to get to systems that are on different floors and just hard to get to. There is security to login with Radmin then again with the login for Windows access.



You can still scan with you your scanner from remote locations but you need to be there to scan the items in. Even with the Canon and the more expensive OCE and Xerox Business Systems Scanners someone still need to be able to feed the data image in.

Answer 3

Well on Win XP you want to go to your control panel. I assume the device will be under printers/fax set the scanner to share. Then on the PCs you want to use it go to the same spot hit add and watch for when it asks if you want a network one. Leave the path empty on the next page and the computer will search for all available devices on the network.

Answer 4

Not really. There are networkable scanners, but they aren't cheap. (Canon makes a good one - but the network adapter is more expensive than most PCs.)

Answer 5

speedy answer: you are able to't. USB isn't designed to paintings that way. no longer-so-speedy answer: in case you opt for to have the skill to apply a unmarried annoying force on diverse desktops, your suited decision could be the two NAS or proportion it out from a unmarried laptop. Your pass velocity would be constrained to the fee of the ethernet, yet it fairly is the way issues pass. you have got slightly better success using document sharing as a exchange of with committed NAS.

Answer 6

You will need a scanner with network capabilities. If not, everyone that wants to use it, will have to use the one computer it is hooked into.

Answer 7

get one more pc for your office!!