Network a Scanner
You can connect several computers in a network to a single scanner. This allows each computer to access and use the scanner's functions, so that if a picture or document is scanned, it can be sent to multiple computers simultaneously. This is a useful setup for those who do not have (or want) scanners for each computer, such as a household, a classroom, or an office. The steps below detail how to network scanners in Windows Vista, 7, and Mac OS X using a networked computer as a dedicated file server.
Contents
Steps
Setting Up a Scanner for Mac OS X Networks
- Open the Apple Menu and select "System Preferences."
- Select "Sharing" in the View menu.
- Check the box next to "Scanner Sharing" to enable the option.
- Select the scanner you want to share.
Connecting a Scanner to a Networked Computer Using Mac OS X
- Open Image Capture or Printer/Scanner Queue.
- Choose the scanner you're using from the "SHARED" group in the left pane.
- Open Preview from the Applications Folder (or your dock if an icon is placed there).
- Select "File," then "Import from Scanner," and then "Include Network Devices."
- Select "File," "Import from Scanner," and then select the scanner your using.
Setting Up and Adding a Scanner to a Networked Computer Using Windows 7 and Vista
- Open the Start menu and select "Control Panel."
- Select "Network" if you are using Windows Vista.
- Type "network" in the search box. Click on "View network computers and devices" under "Network and Sharing Center." Disregard this step if you are using Windows Vista.
- Find the scanner in the list of devices, right-click it, then select "Install."
- Follow the on-screen instructions to finish adding the scanner.
Tips
- If you are at first unable to scan when using Mac OS X, turn the scanner off and then back on again.
- You can use software such as RemoteScan and SoftPerfect to allow scanning activity between networked computers without relying on the operating system's network functions.
