Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Things You’ll Need:
Step1
Make sure your computer is up to snuff. It doesn't take a lot to build a print server. All you need is a machine with a 386 processor or faster, 8 megs of RAM, a parallel port and a floppy drive.
Step2
Install an ethernet network adapter card. If the machine doesn't already have an ethernet port, you'll need to install one. It doesn't have to be up-to-date either, an old 10 Mbps PCI card ought to do the trick.
Step3
Install winzip and winimage. You'll need these programs to unpack the printer server software. Visit the Winzip and Winimage websites and read how to download and install it (see Resources below for links).
Step4
Download the print server software. We'll be using a free print server from Pigtail.net. See the link below in Resources to download.
Step5
Download a network card driver. You'll need a file called modules.lrp. There are many different versions of it, however, so follow the link for a modules.lrp list in the Resources section.
Step6
Open winimage. If you installed it to the default directory, you'll need to click "Run" and then type C:\winimage\winimage.exe.
Step7
Create a disk image. Drag and drop the printsrv image into the winimage window. This is the file you downloaded in Step 3. Next, drag and drop the modules.lrp file in.
Step8
Save the image onto a disk. Insert a blank disk into your A drive and click Disk | Write.
Step9
Connect your printer and power up. Connect the print server to the network. Connect a printer to the print server with a parallel printer cable, insert the disk you just wrote and boot it up. It will beep 3 times to indicate that it is ready.
Step10
Set up client printers. In XP, click Start | Control Panel | Printers and Faxes | Add a printer | Local Printer. Uncheck "Auto Detect PnP." Click "Create new port" and then "Standard TCP/IP port." Type in the IP address as 192.168.1.252, the port name as PrintSrv and under Custom | Settings | Raw | Port, type in 9100.
Comments
Chrisj73 said
on 10/20/2007 Why not just share the printer instead of going through all of this. Using windows XP go to start/settings/Printers and faxes/ right click on the printer that you have installed on to that computer and hit share or properties/ then share (if you hit properties) both take you to the same place/then share the printer by clicking on share/then apply/and OK. To get to the printer from another computer on the LAN just go to add printer click on it and select/add network printer ect. follow the directions. Very Easy and well no added programs except for the Drivers for the printer and if you are using a different OS you can add that driver buy down loading it from the printers main web site. I am sorry but I can not seem to think of why you would want to do the above method. This way is free, uses the software that comes with your OS and there is not a reason to add any software to do this DIY
Diablo2 said
on 9/16/2007 Very useful ;)
rhoula said
on 4/14/2008 Sounds like a great idea, thank you for going thru all his to help us recycle and save the environemnt.
The world needs more people like you.
Have a wondeful day
ConceptGuy said
on 3/16/2008 One of the biggest reasons to have a stand-alone print server is so that your PC does not have to stay on all the time. In my house, there are two laptops and three desktops. Having a dedicated box to handle print jobs at any hour allows me to have my PC on the bench for frequent upgrades, without causing anyone distress over the printer not being available. If there are only a couple of users, then Chrisj73's method would be easier.
ConceptGuy said
on 3/16/2008 Chrisj73 - One upside to having the stand-alone print server is that other users on your network can print without your PC having to stay on. My house has 2 laptops and 3 desktops in daily use, with my desktop often having parts added or removed. Having a dedicated box so everyone can print saves everyone a lot of aggravation.