Parallel to USB cord - windows sees it, but it doesn't print

D

daviddschool

I have a HP 5L laser printer that is my workhorse. Since I have
upgraded my computer, the new mobo doesn't have a parallel port
connection. I went out and bought a PCI card with a parallel port,
but found out the cord was too short for my case and hence I can't use
it. So now I went out and bought a USB to parallel cable.
When I plug in the cable, XP recognizes it. But when I go to print I
either get an error or nothing happens. Any ideas how to fix this?
 
P

Paul

daviddschool said:
I have a HP 5L laser printer that is my workhorse. Since I have
upgraded my computer, the new mobo doesn't have a parallel port
connection. I went out and bought a PCI card with a parallel port,
but found out the cord was too short for my case and hence I can't use
it. So now I went out and bought a USB to parallel cable.
When I plug in the cable, XP recognizes it. But when I go to print I
either get an error or nothing happens. Any ideas how to fix this?
Click to expand...

There is a difference between a motherboard parallel port,
a PCI parallel port, and a USB printer cable.

The motherboard parallel port, likely sits in the I/O space.
Legacy applications back to Adam and Eve, likely work on that
hardware. The SuperI/O chip could be the chip supporting the
interface.

(Example of a SuperI/O chip with a parallel port on it. This is
the chip on my motherboard, and my motherboard has no parallel
port. It means the hardware function still exists, but is not
wired up.)

http://www.nuvoton.com/NR/rdonlyres...2E0-D549FF86663C/0/W83627DHGP_W83627DHGPT.pdf

The PCI card probably supports most of what the SuperI/O chip
provides. Here is a manual for one of those cards, with
examples of things to play with.

http://www.lavalink.com/dev/fileadmin/manuals/parallel_pci_manual.pdf

The USB printer cable is a *printer* cable. Microsoft provides a
protocol stack in the OS, to support that function. The USB printer
cable doesn't support all the operating modes, that the other two
kinds of hardware might have. The problem is the software for
the driver. And I'm not aware of any USB parallel port hardware,
where the manufacturer did write a driver for the job of supporting
all the modes.

There is an example description here, of an installation. It claims
a Windows device driver for the USB printer cable.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16812156012&Pagesize=100

"Pros: Works great with Windows 7 and old HP LaserJet 4, no issues found...

1. Plug in the cable to the PC and let Windows install a device driver
2. Plug in the printer and goto Control Panel/Devices and Printers/Add Printer...
select the HP LaserJet 4 and follow Windows instructions
3. In Devices and Printers, right-click the printer and choose Printer Properties.
On the Ports tab, check the USB002 Virtual Printer Port for USB and click OK.
4. Print a test page to verify operation.

Takes 5 minutes to setup and get working."

Depending on your printer's requirements, it is possible the USB printer
cable isn't going to work. Try the PCI card instead, and see what
you can get from that.

Paul
 
T

Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]

I have a HP 5L laser printer that is my workhorse. Since I have
upgraded my computer, the new mobo doesn't have a parallel port
connection. I went out and bought a PCI card with a parallel port,
but found out the cord was too short for my case and hence I can't use
it. So now I went out and bought a USB to parallel cable.
When I plug in the cable, XP recognizes it. But when I go to print I
either get an error or nothing happens. Any ideas how to fix this?
Click to expand...

If this is an Intel based system, you may want to try installing the
Chipset Drivers. See if it helps any:
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=18033&lang=eng

- Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]
 
S

SC Tom

daviddschool said:
I have a HP 5L laser printer that is my workhorse. Since I have
upgraded my computer, the new mobo doesn't have a parallel port
connection. I went out and bought a PCI card with a parallel port,
but found out the cord was too short for my case and hence I can't use
it. So now I went out and bought a USB to parallel cable.
When I plug in the cable, XP recognizes it. But when I go to print I
either get an error or nothing happens. Any ideas how to fix this?
Click to expand...

I don't understand "the cord was too short for my case." Do you mean the
printer cable? If so, it would be easier to just buy a longer cable that
mess with getting a USB-to-parallel adapter working. Most USB-to-XXX devices
that I've used are pretty darn finicky.
 
E

Elmo

daviddschool said:
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=18033&...

IT is an AMD based system.

I have tried the Virtual USB and no go. It doesn't seem to want to
print a test page.
Click to expand...

You might need USB printer port drivers for the printer. I didn't see
one listed for that printer at
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsuppor...riesId=25480&swLang=8&taskId=135&swEnvOID=228
so you might look through the printer properties, Ports tab, and select
a "virtual printer port for USB", if one was created by the adapter
software.
 
T

Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]

IT is an AMD based system.

I have tried the Virtual USB and no go. It doesn't seem to want to
print a test page.
Click to expand...

How long of a Parallel cable do you need? They have ones 10 -15 feet
ones, probably cheap on eBay. Another possibility is a IEEE-1284
printer server.

- Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]
 
D

daviddschool

How long of a Parallel cable do you need? They have ones 10 -15 feet
ones, probably cheap on eBay. Another possibility is a IEEE-1284
printer server.

- Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]- Hide quoted text -
Click to expand...

No the cable from the MOBO to the slot in the back is too short - the
internals.
 
S

SC Tom

daviddschool said:
No the cable from the MOBO to the slot in the back is too short - the
internals.
Click to expand...

What cable from the MB to the slot? If it's a PCI parallel port card, then
the printer cable hooks up to the outside of the case. Do you know the
make/model number of the PCI card? Also, what make/model is the MB?
 
P

Paul

daviddschool said:
Sorry, it isn't a PCI card, just a parallel port adapter - I was using
the wrong term:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/DB25F-PARALLEL-A...Item&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item15ba12196

It looks like this.
Click to expand...

Maybe you could:

1) Undo the screws which fasten the DB25F to the plate.
2) Connect the ribbon cable to the motherboard.
3) Route the printer cable through a slot hole in the
PCI area, so the printer cable is now *inside* the computer.
4) Plug the printer cable into the DB25F.
5) Wrap the connector area in an insulator, so it doesn't
come in contact with other circuitry. (A little bubble wrap and
tape perhaps.)
6) If you have enough external printer cable length, you
could take a nylon cable wrap, to secure the cable to
give the cable some protection against being pulled free.

HTH,
Paul
 
T

Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]

Sorry, it isn't a PCI card, just a parallel port adapter - I was using
the wrong term:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/DB25F-PARALLEL-A...Item&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item15ba12196

It looks like this.
Click to expand...

Just so you know, you can buy a PCI card (if you have a free slot)
with a parallel port adapter on it and I think this will be your best
solution. Shop around but here is an example of one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...=OTC-Froogle-_-Add-On+Cards-_-Syba-_-15124004

- Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Similar Threads

USB to Parallel Adapter 18
USB Parallel cable on Router Print Server 1
how to use a USB to parallel converter 6
Parallel to USB cable for printer doesn't work 3
Black Widow scanner 15
Parallel to usb printer conversion cable 5
Printing 3
USB-to-parallel cable 3

Top