I am trying to figure out how to use a scanner over my network. In my office I have 3 computers networked with a router. The scanner (printer/scanner/fax) is hooked to one of the 3 computers via usb. Does anyone know if there is a way to use the scanner from the other two computers?

 

I know you can set the printer for sharing across the network, but not sure about scanning function.

What Operating system(s) are you using on both the host and networked computers?

For most windows systems, you can go into the (host computer) network properties and set the system for printer sharing. On the other systems, the printer should then show up in the available printers section (assuming the network is functioning properly)

If your PC's are all windows XP, the built in drivers should recognize the device and at least allow printing. IYou may need to go to the printer manufacturer and get the latest drivers for the system(s) involved, and see if they have allowed for networking the scanner functions.

Here is a google link on the subject that may help explain some things. A quick read indicated theat the manufacture software needs to support networking. In this case, the UMAX scanner software has the appropriate networking software to allow it. I have also found some commercial software that supports this function and may be what you need if the manufacturer does not support it.
http://www.umax.co.uk/support/technotes/n005B.htm

I have a XP system accessing the printer on my 98SE system (which is my ICS gateway). Although it works, it locks up after finishing the first print job. Not sure what is wrong, but I do not use it enough in this manner and have not investigated further.

Dialtone

 

They would have to have the software installed in them.
But, it seems weird to go somewhere else to scan something instead of being right where the scanner is.

 

In a nutshell, no.

Since the software is looking for the USB connected device, if you are not on the PC with the scanner physically attached to it, it will not find it.

You would need to purchase a networkable scanner or some sort of software solution to provide connection to the scanner from multiple PCs.

http://www.remote-scan.com/remotesca...age=googlead_1

Good luck to you

 

I have an HP 6300 scanner, several years old now. The SOFTWARE that came with it allows me to share the scanner out from the host machine hwere it is connected via USB. My other machines in the house can connect to it by installing the same HP software but using the client part.

Don't know what kind of scanner you are running but if it is HP, look on their web site as I mentioned its the software allowing me to do this.

 

Been there - dunnit!
Here's your answer:
Provided you have the scanner installed to your computer right, and if you have all your machines networked - you should (on your desktop) be able to double click "Network Neighborhood" and call up the list of connected PC's in your net.

Click the plus sign next to them, and see if a scanner is listed. There will definitely be any printers you have listed, and you can set one of them as a default if you like.

I'm not 100% sure about scanners showing also - but it stands to reason since its a common utility device that would logically be shared.

I used to have to sort my way through entire installations full of 'em just to find one that still had a good cartridge to print with.

NAVAL SUPPLY, and other fine oxymorons...

Try it and see.


~Wolf

 

In windows xp, go to start, settings, printers and faxes. On the left side of the window is a menu that allows you to add a scanner. Once the scanner is installed, right click on the scanner, go to properties and click network settings. This will give you the name and address of the scanner on the host machine. Next, log on to the client machine, and go through the same process but this time you will add the scanner as a networked imaging device.

 

I figured it out a different way. I now have the scanner (HP G85Xi printer/scanner/fax) hooked via usb to a its own separate machine on the network. I then use Windows XP's Remote Desktop Connection to access the scanner's computer and I can scan away. I just have to make sure to save whatever I scanned to the right place on the network.
Now that I know about this feature, I can also access my office computer from home. Its really nice to be able to get to anything on my office computer from wherever I am (as long as I have an XP computer to work with).