# Network Scanner Problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 4, 2005, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-scanner-problem/320078 "2005-09-04T19:02:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dmartin29](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5e9695/32.png) [@dmartin29](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmartin29)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-scanner-problem/320078/1 "2005-09-04T19:02:09Z")
Having a bit of trouble getting a scanner/printer work on my network. I am usually good at this but this one has me. A working XP/Linux/98 network with five computers a mix of wired/wireless. Router Linksys BEFW11S4, Printserver Linksys WPS54GV2 Printer/scanner is HP 7210 OfficeJet; connection to printer is usb from print server. It prints fine from all computers but will not scan from any. If I plug it in direct to the router it is “seen” as a scanner but does not show any computers on the internal setup. Connected wireless it is only seen as a port on the print server (though id’ed correctly on each computer) and prints fine. Even the “tools” in the HP software work OK wireless or wired. I have checked all protocols etc. The internal status page on the Printer reports network offline when connected wireless. I even broke down and read the FM and only found no information. Maybe it won’t work or I need a different server? Any help appreciated ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-scanner-problem/320078/2 "2005-09-04T19:08:03Z")
Go to the printer/scanner folder on a PC on the network that is not locally connected to the scanner. Is there a driver for the scanner? Even though it is an all-in-one unit, HP uses separate drivers for the printer and scanner functions. If you don’t see a scanner driver, reinstall all the drivers for the unit on each PC. ---
**Author:** ![dmartin29](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5e9695/32.png) [@dmartin29](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmartin29)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-scanner-problem/320078/3 "2005-09-04T19:32:59Z")
> [@Fear Itself](#): > > Go to the printer/scanner folder on a PC on the network that is not locally connected to the scanner. Is there a driver for the scanner? Even though it is an all-in-one unit, HP uses separate drivers for the printer and scanner functions. If you don’t see a scanner driver, reinstall all the drivers for the unit on each PC. Thanks, all scanner drivers loaded on each. I even directly connected to one computer and it scans just fine. Network still nada. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-scanner-problem/320078/4 "2005-09-04T19:38:31Z")
[Wow, look what I found.](http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304097) > [@](#): > > You cannot share a scanner over a network in Windows XP. This section of Windows XP Help and Support is incorrect. I learn something new every day. ---
**Author:** ![dmartin29](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5e9695/32.png) [@dmartin29](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmartin29)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-scanner-problem/320078/5 "2005-09-04T20:04:40Z")
OK now I am ticked off. I guess I set up a linux box just for scanning and kluge it’s connection so I can operate it remotely. Too much for a Sunday. Or I can wait until I can find a work-around. Damn. Thanks for the help. The last place I would have thought to look for an answer is Micro$oft. ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2005, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-scanner-problem/320078/6 "2005-09-04T22:14:12Z")
If the scanner only works via USB you can get an inexpensive USB sharing switch and plug it into all of your machines. Still means having to push a button to select which machine…unless there is an “active” USB switch out there? ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-scanner-problem/320078/7 "2005-09-06T15:53:19Z")
> **[Tom's Networking - Recommendations and Reviews you can trust](https://www.tomsnetworking.com)** > > Recommendations and Reviews you can trust New gadget - it’s a wired/wireless switch however it also shares USB devices via the network connection… ---
**Author:** ![dmartin29](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5e9695/32.png) [@dmartin29](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmartin29)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-scanner-problem/320078/8 "2005-09-06T23:53:26Z")
> [@Valgard](#): > > [Tom's Networking - Recommendations and Reviews you can trust](http://www.tomsnetworking.com/News_story_1203.php) > > New gadget - it’s a wired/wireless switch however it also shares USB devices via the network connection… Ding, Ding it looks like we have a winner. I’ll give it a try. Thanks