USB to Parallel printer woes

The best option is a parallel port card, but with a "C" model it requires special size cards, standard size PCI cards will not work. 

 

But, I've never got a USB/Parallel port unit to work correctly.  There was always one problem or another with the customer's systems. 

 

It may be time to dump the "old reliable" and get a Windows Vista compatbile PC with the current industry standard USB interface.  We dump old computers for new ones and then "hobble" them with old peripherals.

The problem is the interface. The driver is trying to communicate via a parallel connection and you are using a USB connection. Time to upgrade to a new printer. very few parallel printers will work correctly the way you are trying to make this one work. Same is true for scanners.

My USB to parallel printer cable works fine, and I have no problem printing from my new XPS410 computer with Vista Home Premium to my (very) old Laserjet 4L printer.

 

This cable was purchased in Canada at "Bestbyte" and the description is

TC CP-USB06-XP+ Carve USB to IEEE 1294

Part number 773070829795

 

I am not a computer expert, but when my brother hooked it up for me, the computer immediately recognized the printer and I have no problems.  It was not necessary to copy any file from the tiny CD that came with it.

I've been using the same parallel printer for 9 years works great. Recently bought one of those parallel to USB cables hooked my printer to my Inspiron 1501 works great, without any problems.

 

Inspiron 1501, TL-50, 2gig ram

i did say most, not all. There are driver issues with some printers when you use a USB to parallel adaptor. Just because it works on your printer does not mean it will work on all.

 

a large number of printers and scanners will not work using this type of interface. i have a cannon parallel scanner that will not work with a USB adaptor. It is really hit and miss. to save frustration i am suggesting buy a new printer. You can get a very good printer for around $50 to $80 now days that will have VISTA drivers and a USB interface built in.

...Oh I am very happy that your printer works with your computer and your cable....,however, I do not understand how your bragging helps me att all!!

if your printer dose not work with the adaptor there is no work around, except a new driver maybe. Most of the time it is driver and hardware issues together. The only fix is a different printer or a native parallel port to connect the printer too. Like say a network printer server. The cost of a network print server is almost as much as a new printer.

 

again i suggest just go buy a new printer. Over the long run this is the best thing to do. in my opinion.

 

i am going to vent here.....

with new tech a lot of times it means upgrading everything. There are a lot of companies making big bucks selling so called adaptors and it is in the end buyer beware. Most of the time they do not work well or at all. When going from one interface to a different interface there is almost always problems. The adaptors are translators, converting USB to parallel. in most translations something is lost. Nothing is perfect. You also have a data speed difference between the USB and parallel. if you invest in a new computer and have a older printer with an outdated interface. Or scanner, the less stressful fix is buy a new printer, or scanner, with the sported interface built into it.

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VMBieg wrote:

The only fix is a different printer or a native parallel port to connect the printer too. Like say a network printer server. The cost of a network print server is almost as much as a new printer.

 

 

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This is true I've also used Printer Severs. They work great, once they are configured correctly, and are specially good if you have a home network. Some print servers do not work with all in one printers though. Print sever cost anywhere from $80 - $130. It's up to you a new printer or a printer sever.