I need to run two printers from one PC. I've no spare USB ports. It there any way to run them from the same cable using some kind of USB splitter? Or doesn't USB work like that? Rather not get a USB hub and have yet more stuff down the back of the PC.

What about putting in a usb pci card in the back of the pc?

I've used a few of the usb swirch boxes without much success really.

Cheers

Rich

You can get a two way USB splitter....Infact Im sure I have one at work somewhere....

Cant imagine they are too expensive....But dont expect USB 2.0 speeds from one of those...

IMHO...get a proper hub...screw it to the back of the desk then you have plenty of sockets!

isn't a USB hub just a splitter anyway?

like this

http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=281801&CatId=1329

plugs in 1 usb port, gives you 4. in fact i've got a usb keyboard which has 2 usb ports on it plug the mouse into it, job done

are the 2 pc networked together?

If so install it on one and share it...

quote:

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Originally posted by DaveFJ
are the 2 pc networked together?

If so install it on one and share it...

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You can get simple unpowered usb hubs (splitters) from Maplins.

I just got one of these from Amazon. If you can build a car you can fit one of these cards.


[Edited on 24.05.2008 by Humbug]

One good option is to fit a Firewire / USB2.0 card (cheap as chips).
Then not only do you get spare USB ports but also Firewire (useful for making temporary networks for transfering files).

I have got a few spare USB2 cards -- if you want I'll put it in the post.

No such thing as a USB splitter, but you could use a small unpowered 2 port hub which amounts to the same thing.

Thanks chaps - I've got an old un-powered hub somewhere, I'll dig it out.....

Yep, a USB hub is the only way to 'split' a cable. If you find a cable that can do it (that isn't just a power cheat) it will have an unpowered hub stashed in one of the connectors.