1 computer, 2 printers, 1 switch box

[jefft]

I have a desktop computer with Win98 and one printer port. I have two printers I want to use with it, a color inkjet and a laser black & white. I am trying to use an inexpensive (dumb)switchbox, with a control knob on the front, to manually switch printing from one printer to the other. This is not working. The inkjet printer seems to want to be direct connected. The inkjet is capable of 1284 operation. The laser seems to work OK. Is this scheme possible? How do I troubleshoot it to make it work right?

[thxmanu]

I had problems like that also. It seems that the newer printer ports (ECP,EPP) don't like the analog switch boxes. Mine works fine with 1 printer and 3 other peripherals, but not my other printer. Try different settings for the LPT port in the BIOS. Good luck.

[jefft]

The BIOS showed options of SPP, EPP and ECP for the LPT1 port. It was set for SPP. I tried EPP and at least for now it seems to be working. I'll try out that new setting for a few days. Thanks much for the tip.

[Richard_Cranium72]

Do you have a free ISA slot.

I did this to my HP when I added an additional printer.

The card I used was a $14.00 Kouwell 408-E.

It has jumpers for i/o address and IRQ.

But, it required no irq even when I set it.

This has worked for me for over two years on my HP Photosmart printer and various others as secondary..

DrVette

[Gene C.]

I have had this setup for years. I use ecp lpt 1.
might add I have from system to zip drive to switch box to hp color deskjet& wide carriage panasonic. now and has always work just fine for me!!!!