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zurek106 · Sep 22, 2003, 04:44 PM

I was wondering if it is possible to print to a PC printer that is currently on my network. I have Linksys router with a cable modem that has a direct cable line to the PC computer and then I have a my iMac connected to the router through airport. Is it possible to print to the printer that is connected to the PC and how?
Any help is appreciated!!
Thanks
-Dan

fergnetserv · Sep 26, 2003, 10:26 AM

I've printed to PC printers before but the were on a network. To print to a printer conected to the PC I think you have to turn on share this printer in the printer control preferences on the PC. You also may need to search for a driver if the printer is not something like an HP, Epson or lexmark to use on the Mac. The PC would also have to be on when ever you wanted to print.

ghporter · Sep 26, 2003, 10:37 AM

Ferg is correct. The printer has to be shared by the PC before you can use it. Once you share it (and probably reboot the PC), it should be visible on the network through Finder. After that, it's basically the same process as connecting to any printer shared through a Mac. You may need drivers, but you should be able to go to the printer's web site to see whether you need to download one or if your OS has the driver already.

slider · Sep 30, 2003, 06:30 PM

Originally posted by GHPorter:
Ferg is correct. The printer has to be shared by the PC before you can use it. Once you share it (and probably reboot the PC), it should be visible on the network through Finder. After that, it's basically the same process as connecting to any printer shared through a Mac. You may need drivers, but you should be able to go to the printer's web site to see whether you need to download one or if your OS has the driver already.

Could you elaborate on this? You say you should be able to see it through the Finder? What exactly do you mean? I have done this on a PC at work (share this printer) and I have not figured out how to connect to it. Also, in the "Add printer", how do you add it, I mean went you hit the add button, a drop down window appears, what do you select in the first drop down list? I actually have the printer in my printer list as of today, but I added it when I connected to it via a USB cable, purhaps I just need to restart both machines. Should I consider removing it from the list and then adding it again. When I am on the network while the printer is connect to the PC it still shows up. Maybe I should work on it again in the morning. Any thoughts?

xMetal · Oct 1, 2003, 03:11 PM

I need to figure out this exact thing as well. I have an HP laserjet connected to a Windows 2000 development box, but I can't see the printer from the Mac in my printer setup.

darren h · Oct 1, 2003, 06:31 PM

The replies from ferg and gh are correct, however, depending on which version of windows you are using you may have to install print services for unix. I found this thread a while ago, Troy has it working and was kind enough to let everyone else know how in a step by step manner -

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...ght=stylus+c80

good luck

ghporter · Oct 2, 2003, 08:19 AM

Thanks, darren, for locating that thread. As darren says, you may need to install Unix print sharing if you're not using Windows 2000 or XP (later service packs for NT4 also included Unix print sharing by default).

Once the printer is shared, you can install it on your Mac in the same way you'd install any printer shared on the network. Add the printer as shown in this knowledge base article (much better worded and more thorough than I could be

)

When you're through, the Finder will show the computer that's hosting the printer, even if you're not sharing files on that computer-of course in that case all you'll see on that computer will be the printer. Once the printer is installed, it will also show up in Print Center, so you won't need to use the Finder.