Comments on: How to Build a Print Server From an Old Computer

on 9/2/2008 Ah... I've just read this as I've got an old computer with Windows 98 installed. The old computer already had an ethernet card and a printer port, so I just moved it to the basement and connected it up. I simply shared the printer and the entire hard drive on my network. I really didn't have to go through all the steps listed here. Now I must set it so it gets a dedicated IP address, and install an FTP server software so I can access files while I'm away from home. ;)

on 7/12/2008 Were's the resourses section with the links?

on 6/11/2008 This article was actually really useful to me because I have a Tektronix 350 printer and neither my laptop nor my desktop have parallel ports (they have been nearly phased out in all computers). So instead of buying 20ft of mini-centronix to USB cable "the unicorn of cables" I built this print server and connected it to my wireless router. Now the behemoth of a printer can
sit anywhere in the house and all my computers can print to it. Using an xp computer to print through would also work but you would have to have it on to share it out. Using a print server it is always on so
in my case I don't have to power up my desk top top print with my laptop. If you think that having a print server on 24/7 may consume more power than it is worth try this: Get an old 166mmx pentium use the switches on the system board to underclock the fsb and prossesor to 100mhz, pull out all fans, disa

on 6/11/2008 This article was actually really useful to me because I have a Tektronix 350 printer and neither my laptop nor my desktop have parallel ports (they have been nearly phased out in all computers). So instead of buying 20ft of mini-centronix to USB cable "the unicorn of cables" I built this print server and connected it to my wireless router. Now the behemoth of a printer can
sit anywhere in the house and all my computers can print to it. Using an xp computer to print through would also work but you would have to have it on to share it out. Using a print server it is always on so
in my case I don't have to power up my desk top top print with my laptop. If you think that having a print server on 24/7 may consume more power than it is worth try this: Get an old 166mmx pentium use the switches on the system board to underclock the fsb and prossesor to 100mhz, pull out all fans, disa

on 6/11/2008 This article was actually realy useful to me because I have a tektronix 350 printer and neither my laptop nor my desktop have parallel ports (they have been nearly phased out in all computers). So instead of buying 20ft of mini-centronics to usb cable "the unicorn of cables" I built this print server and connected it to my wireless router. Now the behemoth of a printer can
sit anywhere in the house and all my computers can print to it. Using an xp computer to print through would also work but you would have to have it on to share it out. Using a print server it is always on so
in my case I don't have to power up my desk top top print with my laptop. If you think that having a print server on 24/7 may consume more power than it is worth try this: Get an old 166mmx pentium use the switches on the system board to underclock the fsb and prossesor to 100mhz, pull out all fans, disa

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

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.

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.

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

on 9/16/2007 Very useful ;)