Sharing Printers and External HDD?

[lee_hdi]

I was just wondering if someone could point me in the right direction please about sharing printers and external HDD, cos I'm sick of unplugging them and moving them around.

Right here's what I have:-
One laser printer
One All-in-one printer including fax
One 500GB external HDD
One 1TB external HDD

Computer wise
One tower PC running Windows 7 Ultimate
Two laptops running Vista Pro

I basically want to be able to print, scan, and access my external hdd's from one point at a click of a button.

Would I need some sort of home server? And if I got one, would I have to install like Windows 7 on the home server, and then you have a log in and password on each computer like in a office environment?

Thanks

[tigger001]

I use one of these " Iomega iConnect Wireless Data Station"
to connect all my USB hard drives , printers etc to my network , I don't have to connect my all in one printer to it as thats wireless already. The Data Station is available from Amazon for ?64.99 with free P&P.

[dasteph]

i am assuming that the all connect using usb cables in which case a usb network hub would do for what you want.
the link will give you an idea of what you can get.

Belkin : Network USB Hub

[lee_hdi]

i am assuming that the all connect using usb cables in which case a usb network hub would do for what you want.
the link will give you an idea of what you can get.

Belkin : Network USB Hub

Just bought this. ?30 of eBay delivered

[tigger001]

Just bought this. ?30 of eBay delivered

Dont forget a spare ethernet lead to connect it to your router.

[lee_hdi]

Ahh I've got a few of them spare anyway

Thanks tho!

[Ade1505]

Hi you could always set up a home network as long as the computer that the printers and hard drives are connected to is on you can print from any computer connected to your network and thats free look for sharing printers and folders in google it basicaly does eveything for you