dot matrix printer problem

[Guest]

I have a panasonic kx-p2624 24 pin printer connected to a latitude cpi
running win2000 and the bios is set for bidirectional printing (ps/2
compliant). When and only when I route the db25 parallel cable through an a
to b switch box for db25 cables do I get a "does not detect printer" window.
If I connect a db25/sigtronics 36 cable directly from laptop to printer
everything works. I have trouble shot all the cables and the swith box with
no luck. Any help would be appricated. Thank you.

latitude
266 mhz
4.5g
1.7free
xp home
bios a12

 

[Bob I]

Apparently the "switchbox" plus additional cable doesn't pass enough
signal so the printer can be recognized as being attached.

 

[Guest]

If it works direct, its the switch box, is it a manual switch box? I have had
nothing but problems with them over the years. I have had this problem many
times, and even when I get it to work, after switching from one printer to
the next and back, sometimes it loses the connection or prints garbage. Of
course I have many that also work, but I stopped using them, and simply use
print server boxes instead!