Scanning from a network printer

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I have a home network consisting of a desktop running Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit. A HP Photosmart 3240 printer is connected to that computer, and is shared by the other computer. The other computer is a laptop running Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit. Normal document printing works as expected on both computers.

I am unable to scan anything to the laptop. Instructions from HP state the scanner must be connected to the computer wanting to scan. Is there a way around that?

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Unless it is network connected (not via the PC) it won’t work.

cheers, Paul

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Unless it is network connected (not via the PC) it won’t work.

cheers, Paul

Thanks for the reply. Ther printer is network connected. I can’t scan to my laptop. I can only scan to the network computer hosting the printer.

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Hi Lu,

Evidently you have set your HP printer up as a shared resource through the PC to which it is USB connected. A true network printer is one that has wireless or Ethernet capability and is assigned its own IP address in your network. A network printer does not require a host computer to function in a network.

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Doh Oh! I now see the difference. Thanks for the lesson.

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Doh Oh! I now see the difference. Thanks for the lesson.

Network scanners are available, but are fairly specialised pieces of kit.

You can buy software that claims to make scanners a shared network resource, but I’ve no experience of them.

here’s one I found on a search

However, it will be a shared resource rather than a true network scanner (as per Gerald’s reply).

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Thanks for the reply. I think I’ll just ask permissiion of my wife to use her computer when I need something scanned.

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Dell do an all in one unit that scans across the network – sorry, can’t remember the model, but it was small office variety.

cheers, Paul

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Dell do an all in one unit that scans across the network – sorry, can’t remember the model, but it was small office variety.

cheers, Paul

Canon do an MFP (Pixma MX320) for about $100 that scans straight to USB that could be a useful alternative to a network scanner. You need to go to the scanner anyway, so being able to use it without booting anyone off the other computer may be do-able.

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For Paul and all the others who responded so quuickly and well, thanks a bunch. My wife and I were at BJ’s Wholesale today and I bought a HP All in One wireless or ethernet printer for $89.00 and change. It installed without a hirtch and being used on both computers, even as I write.

Thanks to all.

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