Unable to print with 2 identical printers unless I switch the port setting

I have 2 identical HP Deskjet 6940 printers
(I assume they are identical unless there is a way to verify the guts inside or different)
When ever I want to print to one or the other printer, I have to open into the printer properties and go to Ports and switch between USB001 or USB002.
I have tried uninstalling the printer driver and reinstalling it as well as letting Windows detect the printer driver, but it still creates another Port and one printer always insists on printing to one particular port and the other printer prints to the other.
How do I set both printers to print with the same port so I don't have to constantly go into the properties to switch them back again?

cornpops wrote:
I have 2 identical HP Deskjet 6940 printers
(I assume they are identical unless there is a way to verify the guts inside or different)
When ever I want to print to one or the other printer, I have to open into the printer properties and go to Ports and switch between USB001 or USB002.
I have tried uninstalling the printer driver and reinstalling it as well as letting Windows detect the printer driver, but it still creates another Port and one printer always insists on printing to one particular port and the other printer prints to the other.
How do I set both printers to print with the same port so I don't have to constantly go into the properties to switch them back again?
What is your operating system? In Vista (and I think XP as well) you can go to the Printers folder, right click on the printer, Run as Admonistrator, Properties, (continue), Ports, check the "Enable Printer Pooling" then check the boxes for the ports for the two printers. In this case the print job will be sent to the first one that is available.
Regards,
Bob Headrick, Microsoft MVP Printing/Imaging
Bob Headrick, HP Expert
I am not an employee of HP, I am a volunteer posting here on my own time.
If your problem is solved please click the "Accept as Solution" button ------------V
If my answer was helpful please click the "Thumbs Up" to say "Thank You"--V

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