--- "Brian L. Sanburn" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Hello list members,
>
>         I have a HP LaserJet 5L and a Canon BJC-5100 that I'd like to
> hook up to the same computer at the same time.
> This would, of course, give me the option of choosing one over the
> other and seeing the results immediately
> without having to unplug the one and plug in the other and vice
> versa.  Thinking it was as easy as buying a
> splitter for the back of the computer, I headed off to my local
> computer store.  Upon inquiring with the owner
> I was told, however, that having both an inkjet (the Canon) and a
> laser setup in such a way could damage the
> laser (or was it the inkjet?).  In any event, I've put the plan on
> hold in the hopes of getting some feedback
> from you.

Hi,
sharing 2 printers off one LPT port is always going to be risky
business. Unless you're using a very high quality switch you stand
a good chance of spiking your ports while toggling the switch. Also,
some switches do not support IEEE or bidirectional standards needed
by color printers. I have seen this configuration work well between
dot matrix printers, and perhaps the idea was originally intended for
this.

The best solution is to install another LPT/Serial I/O card. They're
inexpensive, and easy to setup. In fact, they're about half the price
of a mid grade A/B printer switch.

-yui shin

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