HP LaserJet 4L USB problem ?

[slavko vorkapitch]

Hi - I just bought a dell Dimension E521 only to discover - no printer
port - so having just spent almost $40 for a USB to parallel converter
cable Windows XP Media Center edition doesn't find the printer in the
Add printer dialog.. When I add manually it creates an HP LaserJet
Copy(1) etc and print test page doesn't work .. and just grays the
printer icon out after I try to delete it... I've tried all 4 USB ports
on the backside of the machine with no luck. Any help appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Slavko Vorkapitch

 

[Andrew Rossmann]

Hi - I just bought a dell Dimension E521 only to discover - no printer
port - so having just spent almost $40 for a USB to parallel converter
cable Windows XP Media Center edition doesn't find the printer in the
Add printer dialog.. When I add manually it creates an HP LaserJet
Copy(1) etc and print test page doesn't work .. and just grays the
printer icon out after I try to delete it... I've tried all 4 USB ports
on the backside of the machine with no luck. Any help appreciated.

I think the 4L is one of those 'WinPrinter' devices that need direct
communications between the printer and computer. Some of these adapters
don't fully emulate the two-way communication needed.

Rather than use a USB/parallel adapter, can you add a parallel port card
instead?

 

[Warren Block]

I think the 4L is one of those 'WinPrinter' devices that need direct
communications between the printer and computer. Some of these adapters
don't fully emulate the two-way communication needed.

The 4L is PCL, so my guess would be the USB adapter and combination of
Windows and drivers.

 

[Allodoxaphobia]

I think the 4L is one of those 'WinPrinter' devices that need direct

Wrong. It's a standard parallel port -- the printer engine is PCL.

Rather than use a USB/parallel adapter, can you add a parallel port card
instead?

I have no experience with a USB-to-Parallel "converter cable" (it needs
to be WAY MORE than a "cable".) But, a $10-$20 parallel port card would
be Just The Ticket. Too often, inserting kludges in between disparate
"things" leads to the frustration that the OP is having.

Jonesy