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    Parallel to USB

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by ntheo, Aug 27, 2009.

  1. ntheo

    ntheo Notebook Consultant

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    I got an old laser printer that still uses Parallel but both my laptop and desktop doesn't have a parallel port.

    What sort of options do I have?
    From what I've heard the desktop you can buy an PCI add in card.
    For the laptop you can get those parallel to USB cables.

    Are they reliable?

    What about drivers for Win XP and Vista?

    I really don't want to abandon the laser printer as it is for personal use and would last a long time for my minimal usage.

    Thanks.
     
    ntheo, Aug 27, 2009
    #1
  2. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    what printer is it?

    another idea could be to get a printerserver. that's a tiny box to connect the printer, and to the network. then you can print over the network.

    but to even know if you can get it to work, you need to know if you have a driver available for it. else, it's not worth any other effort at all..
     
    davepermen, Aug 27, 2009
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  3. ntheo

    ntheo Notebook Consultant

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    It's an older HP LaserJet 4050.

    I heard the add in cards work pretty well but those usb to parallel cable can be a hit and miss.

    I don't think Windows has generic drivers for them and I'm unable to find some.

    My last resort is to connect it to a old desktop that does have a parallel port. If all computers are on a network, I think I can share the device among the three machines? Is that correct?
     
    ntheo, Aug 27, 2009
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  4. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

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    Correct.

    cheers ...
     
    qhn, Aug 27, 2009
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