It's a while since I have done this, but you can do this a few ways - the best way is to use the JetAdmin software (that came with the printer?) to configure the on-board JetDirect NIC as a print server that all the PCs can connect to over the network. Technically, you are creating both a Print Q and a Print Server on the JetDirect card, but that isn't really relevant.
The JetAdmin software should find all JetDirect cards on the LAN, irrespective of whether they have a valid IP address assigned, as it works at the MAC layer. You can then configure the JetDirect card for your LAN setup.
I am pretty sure that you can still download the JetAdmin software from the HP website, though you may have to register. But as you have got a pukka LJ5 that shouldn't be a problem
If you can't get the JetAdmin software, you can manually assign the appropriate IP addressing information using the printer configuration menu on the printer itself (go on, RTFM
).
Once the printer has a valid IP address you can then set up each PC to print directly to it - in this case you set up a new LOCAL printer, configuring a STANDARD TCP/IP port, using the IP address of the printer (it helps if it's fixed
). Just follow the Add Printer Wizard...
Remove any printer shares off the main PC and uninstall the local printer.
SD