mcdhu
I am not sure whether you actually solved the problem.
Following your enquiry I worked up an interest because I needed to print from 3 computers to a USB printer.
Father Christmas brought me a Belkin F5L009uk and it solved all my printing problems. It also allows me to plug in other USB peripherals such as storage devices all of which are visible from all the computers. (1 XP 1 Vista 1 Win7)
Incidentally, with regard to the printer - Each computer connects automatically to the printer when printing then disconnects to allow any other computer to use it - automatically when print is selected.
Thanks Santa. and No I do not have any connection with Belkin.
MC