In a message dated 1/26/99 2:19:31 AM EST, [log in to unmask] writes:

> You can share the HP that you already have.  It may not have all features
>  available through the network, but it WILL WORK.
>
>  First of all, is the PC (which has the HP) set up for sharing printers?
>  Click START -- SETTINGS -- CONTROL PANEL -- NETWORK and then click the
>  big button for FILE AND PRINTER SHARING.
>
>  After you take care of the above.....
>  You will probably have to install the HP driver software on each
>  individual PC that will need access to the shared printer.  The software
>  will probably fuss at you since the printer is not actually attached to
>  the PC.  Just ignore those types of error messages and plow on through it.
>
     Many of the HP printers were not intended initially to operate on a
network and to be network visible.  HP has supplemented the printer driver
files on several to now allow light-duty visibility on Win95 networks as a
shared resource attached to a workstation.  The updated drivers are available
at the HP web-site, but they do come with an admonishment that network service
may exceed the design workload and result in shorter performance lifetimes.
     We experienced one other anomaly in adapting an HP printer to Win95
network duty that appears peculiar to the procedure for driver installation in
the remote workstations when the HP is designated the Win95 default printer on
the local station.  At the remote workstation, one might intend to install the
remote printer as a "network" printer and for installation to access the
printer drivers on the other workstation over the net.  In our experience,
this results in a corrupted / incomplete driver file set on the remote
workstation as some of the files are in use on the local workstation.  To
address this, one might copy the updated printer driver file set to another
subdirectory or to diskette before installation.  Then, on the remote
workstation, install first as a "local" printer using the entire printer
driver set.  Finally, on the remote, re-install as a "network" printer using
the previously installed driver file set that now exists and is recognized on
that very workstation.


>  Now that you have the drivers installed on the PC, click START- SETTINGS -
>  PRINTERS
>  and right click on the HP's icon.  Now select PROPERTIES and click the
>  GENERAL tab.
>  Finally click the ADD PORT button and BROWSE to find the networked
>  printer.
>
>  phew!  A lot to do, but not impossible. <grin>
>
>
>  Jim Meagher
Tommy Holmes, Jr.
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