It often happens that there are several computers at home or in the office, and the printing device is one for all. And if printouts are required regularly on different PCs, then doing this under such conditions is simply inconvenient. We will tell you about an effective way to solve the problem in our article.
What does a local printer mean?
The content of the article
- What does a local printer mean?
- How to make the printer local: instructions
Equipment connected to a specific computer is called local, it receives data for printing directly from this PC.
Such a device can work in two interconnected ways: to be connected to one machine and to serve a computer group connected to a network.
IMPORTANT. For successful operation, it is desirable to use wired printing devices, which ensures uninterrupted communication.
How to make the printer local: instructions
To do everything right, you need to follow the sequence of steps:
- configure the printing device on the main PC,
- create a local network connection,
- establish communication with the device on other machines.
IMPORTANT. You will need the latest drivers for the equipment (from the disk or the manufacturer’s website), taking into account the version and bit depth of your OS.
We use the path Control Panel - Devices and Printers. In the new window using RMB in the menu, select the link "Add Printer".
The system will offer 2 options, click "Add a local printer." Then we leave the default port LPT1, click "Next".
In the list of printing equipment we designate the model we need, use the link “Install from disk”. A request for the installation disk will follow, if it is not there, we will use the overview and click the folder with the downloaded drivers. After specifying the necessary file, go through “Next”, uncheck, if any, from the item “Print a test page”.
ON A NOTE. As a result of the actions taken, the equipment is determined, but not ready for operation.
In the Devices and Printers window, click RMB on the new device and activate Printer Properties. Go to the Ports tab, highlight the name of our model and use the "Add Port" button. In the list of available standards that opens, select Local Port and then the “New Port” key. We write two signs "\\", the name of the computer, the sign "\" and the name of the printing device. Click OK. Additionally, in the Access tab, check the option “Share this printer.” At the end, reboot the system.
To create an integrated group of machines, first of all, you need to connect them together physically, through wires.
Then on the main PC we use the sections Control Panel - System - Advanced System Settings. In the tab Computer Name, press the "Change" button. Switch to the "workgroup" icon and enter the appropriate name for the association. Click OK and Apply. Computer grouping created.
IMPORTANT. The listed manipulations are performed with each PC.
Go through the sections Control Panel - Network and Sharing Center, use the "Change advanced settings" option. If network discovery is turned off, launch it and select the “Enable file and printer sharing” icon.
Enter the heading “Network” and click “Install Printer”. Use the link “Add a network printer”, the OS will search and provide a list of available devices, select the one we need. Next, the automatic installation of equipment will occur.
ATTENTION. A PC group can work with the device only if the main machine is turned on.
In our article, we talked about how to configure printing equipment to work with one computer and with a combination of machines. We hope that the reader has found comprehensive information on these issues.
