How to get a auto A/B switch to work with two printers - one PC

[firsthart]

A HP three-in-one printer and a laser printer hooked to an auto A/B switch...the A/B switch connected to the PC. When switch is in "A" position, the PC is booted and recognizes the printer. The switch is put in the "B" position and the
PC does not recognize the printer. If the printer is turned off and back on, the PC sees it. Each time the switch is switched the printer or PC has to be turned off and back on.
It appears the printer needs a continuous connection to work. Is there a setting on the printer or in Win98 to fix this?

 

[ray436]

you were on the right path when you suspected that the PC / printer need to be connected - they do. When you switch away, the machine does not find the printer.

if the A/B swith is mechanical, you have another slight risk of causing problems caused by noisy switch contacts.

anyways, there are 2 fixes i have had success with - the best is to get an electronic A/B switch, they properly terminate the line when connected to the other prnter - the PC thinks the printer is off thats all. the other is to switch to the printer, go to control panel/system/device manager, click refresh on the bottom - it will re-enumerate the hardware (takes a couple seconds). I have to do this daily so that i dont have to leave my scanner on all the time so that the pc finds it on start. [sig][/sig]

 

[firsthart]

Ray436, thanks for reply it was very helpful. [sig][/sig]