What is simplest solution for connecting 2 PCs to one printer where wireless isn't an option?
Wondering about max length of USB printer cables, if ran around perimeter of room and if an A/B switch is definitely necessary?

Have and HP 5100 series printer - wired w/ A/B USB cable to desktop - sits beside printer.
A wireless upgrade kit is avail, but fairly expensive & read lots of users have problems.

Wife's wireless laptop sits across small office from printer. Usually, she unplugs the cable from my desktop at the printer & plugs another cable from printer to laptop.

She doesn't use the printer daily by any means.

Thanks.

You can share the printer in Windows, thereby, effectively making it a network printer...the only drawback to that is that the 'host' machine (the one that the printer is physically installed to) needs to be turned on for any other computer on the network to print to it.

Another option, the one that I prefer, is to use a print server, whether it is wired or wireless doesn't much matter. The printer isn't physically connected to any computer on the network, but is actually an independent network device.

Something like one of these...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000130387%201135310100&bop=And&Order=PRICE

Then, where the printer is located doesn't matter all that much, any longer. And since it is on the 'network' any computer can then use it...this means that if your wife takes her laptop to another room, she can still print.

Thanks mjc. There's quite a range of prices - some are probably intended more for sm offices.

I guess print servers negate necessity of a host PC (my desktop) being on to print from other computers?

I know they make "active" USB extension cables w/ signal boosters, up to ~ 16 ft, that I think can be combined w/ a (maybe) 15 - 16 ft passive cable.

Question about that is, would there still have to be an A/B switch, or printer server, or...

Unless, as you said, the host PC is turned on all the time. It might be most times, but not always.

The USB standard limits the length of cables to about 12 feet.

I don't like switch boxes for the simple fact, they are seldom 'clean' and tend to cause all sorts of odd problems, especially when trying to diagnose a printer problem.

Right, print servers take the place of a 'host' computer.

Sharing the printer within Windows to the rest of the network...no, no additional hardware is needed.

Found out my HP C5180 has an ethernet port as well as USB.

Here's a link to HP's descrip / diagram of connecting multiple PCs to printer "to an ethernet router, switch or wireless router." http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00706231&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&product=1153481&query=c5180&rule=4296&dest_page=product
Their diagram looks like wired network printer connection is using same router that's connected to modem / internet.

Both computers are already on home network for internet, but not printer (obviously).

QUESTION: Are they talking about a completely separate router from one used for internet access (I use Netgear WPN824)?

Or, once install correct software / settings on ea computer for printing via network, can I use a port from the Netgear to the HP? Read several articles from their site - not too specific.

Or, once install correct software / settings on ea computer for printing via network, can I use a port from the Netgear to the HP? Read several articles from their site - not too specific.

Yep...that's exactly what it means...you plug the printer into your Netgear router, then you set up the printer to be a network printer (shouldn't have to reinstall any drivers, because you are already using them). It will just be a matter of setting up a new printer, using network printer at the start of the new printer wizard...then directing it to the already installed drivers.

Thanks mjc,
shouldn't have to reinstall any drivers, because you are already using them
Hope so...
HP's article (for my printer) "Changing From USB Connection to Network Conn." says,

after deleting the printer using the USB conn in Control Panel,

Connect printer to router via ethernet, then

1) Insert product CD (my case would be running downloaded drivers)
2) Select "add a device"
3) when prompted for conn type, select "through network."

I don't know if I'll have to run their setup file, or as you said, just delete / add printer, & select network setup for added printer. It'd MIGHT be easier to try it your way 1st.

I don't know they're indicating new drivers have to be installed, or it's just using their setup prgm to facilitate setting up network vs USB conn, instead of using Windows Printer Wizard?

Thanks for the help.
I did run HP's setup file to add new device after deleting the printer in Control Panel - Printers.

Takes HP's downloaded setup / driver file LONG time to "process" before get to setup screen. But the desktop (XP) now prints OK on network thru router (wired).

May have been faster & just as effective to use Windows hardware wizard.

Now, have to try to & get wife's wireless laptop (Vista) working. Hope it sets up quickly or all H could break loose.:)

I've never run the setup wizard after the initial install...I've always pointed the Windows wizard to the HP drivers, but then again, I'm in the habit of running the installer with 'extract' option (if available) and then running the driver installer from the resulting folder.