Re: [PCWorks] Converter/adapter from parallel printer port to USB port

  • From: "Clint Hamilton-PCWorks Admin" <PCWorks@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <pcworks@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 07:26:20 -0600

Just because a mobo didn't come with a PP, doesn't mean a PP 
won't be compatible with it.  The add-on cards should work on 
any mobo, providing they have the correct slot (PCI or 
PCI-express).  But of course in the case where they may be 
"ancient", they may have not have drivers for XP or Vista, etc.
-Clint

God Bless,
Clint Hamilton, Owner
http://www.OrpheusComputing.com
http://www.ComputersCustomBuilt.com
http://www.OrpheusComputing.com/cheap_reliable_web_hosting.html
http://www.OrpheusComputing.com/PCworks-computer-help-email-list.html


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Grossman"


Yes, Hugh, and I think I have some ancient parallel ports lying 
around.
However, I was afraid that they would not be compatible with 
the new
motherboard (perhaps that's why it didn't have a parallel port 
already) and
that it could lead to BSODs.

David Grossman
[From one of Hugh's ancient countries - but aren't all 
countries equally
ancient?]



-----Original Message-----
 Hugh Vandervoort


I've done this a couple of times for people in other ancient
countries.Are these instructions from the Dead Sea scrolls?:)
It would be far easier to install a new parallel port.



On Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 6:48 PM, David Grossman wrote:
> I'd like to share a recent experience.
>
>
> I didn't want to get rid of my ancient HP LaserJet 6L when I 
> bought my new
> computer, but the new motherboard does not have a parallel 
> port.
>
>
>
> I think I can picture the story behind eliminating the 
> parallel ports in
the
> new motherboards. The big boss at Intel probably said, "I 
> bought a new USB
> printer, so now everybody else has to buy one too." At the 
> same time, the
VP
> of Intel's Scratch My Back and I'll Scratch Yours Department 
> made a deal
> with HP and Epson: "For every new board we sell, we'll make 
> them buy
another
> printer from you."
>
>
>
> I searched for and bought a Centronix bidirectional to USB 
> 1284 adapter
> cable for about $9.
>
>
>
> My new adapter cable may also be useful for those who want to 
> use their
> parallel port for a different printer, or for those who want 
> to reserve
the
> parallel port for one of the older Zip drives, without using 
> a switch box
or
> print server.
>
>
>
> Setting up this cable is NOT for the faint of heart. There is 
> no
> documentation for the cable - not even in the the 
> manufacturer's pathetic
> website.
>
>
>
> If any of you would like to use a similar converter cable, 
> let me offer
you
> some tips.
>
>
>
> Your computer has different kinds of USB ports (depending on 
> whether it is
> connected directly to the motherboard or with an extra 
> internal cable or
> connection). Your new USB/Parallel cable works better with 
> the stronger
> connections. In a desktop computer, those strong connections 
> are in the
> back.
>
> Before installing your printer, plug in the cable, and let it 
> install.
> That's right, the cable itself has to install before you can 
> install the
> printer. You can watch the installation progress on the 
> bottom of your
> Windows screen.
>
> Next, set your wizard for a virtual USB printer port. (Aha. 
> It's a VIRTUAL
> port. That explains how a parallel printer can work on a 
> serial port!).
>
> Let the computer check Windows Update for a recent version of 
> your printer
> driver.
>
> Windows Update may make a mistake (it did for me) and suggest 
> that I
update
> other Windows components instead of my printer. Deal with it.
>
> Your printer may not work the first time you set it up. Or 
> the second
time.
> Or the third time. Or the XX*th time. Keep trying. Cancel 
> your
appointments.
> Tell your guests to go away. You'll be able to set it up 
> eventually.
>
>
>
> Save the tips in this email. They are the only documentation 
> you will ever
> find for this kind of cable.
>
>
>
> David Grossman

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