Computer Printers

5. Connecting Up

5.1 You can plug the printer into the back of your desktop computer if you are the only person using it.

If your desktop computer is part of a very small network (fewer than five users), you can allow other users to share your printer.

• Use a universal serial bus (USB) connector if your printer and computer support this standard. This allows you to connect a number of printers or peripherals to your computer using one cable.

5.2 Printers that are shared by a number of users on a network should be directly connected to the network.

• You can set up one computer on the network to act as a print server. This centralises all print jobs, letting you control the order in which documents are printed, making the network more reliable.
• The printer will need to be fitted with a network adaptor card before you can connect it directly to the network. Check with your supplier that the printer's network adaptor card will work with your network software, network operating system and cabling.
• You can purchase an external print server to allow sharing of a printer that does not have a network adaptor card.

5.3 Some printers allow laptops and portable computers to link without using cables.

• Use a wireless PDA or IrDA infrared unit built into your laptop or portable. When you point your portable at the printer, it detects the printer and transfers the information to be printed.
• Add an adaptor box to use this system if your printer does not already have an IrDA connector.

5.4 Your computer will need printer driver software before it can print.

• Windows automatically recognises most printers and configures your system accordingly.
• Plug-and-play printers will attempt to configure your desktop computer automatically, ready for use.
• An Apple Macintosh will recognise automatically any printers that are Macintosh-compatible. You may need an additional piece of software, called a PPD, to make the best use of your printer.