printing with dac easy payroll dos version--laser printer on usb port

[aaronep]

I have an older DAC Easy Payroll Program for DOS. Also have a brand
new HP Media Center PC computer that has XP installed. The
computer does NOT have a parallel printer port. Have therefore
hooked up my parallel HP laserjet printer to the computer using a USB/
Parellel converter cable, which up to this time, has worked without a
problem.

Now, the problem, the older Payroll program calls for printing through
LPT ports or COM ports, but no USB ports.

Therefore am unable to print payroll files.

Any suggestions on how to work around this problem!

best, Aaron

 

[GT]

I have an older DAC Easy Payroll Program for DOS. Also have a brand
new HP Media Center PC computer that has XP installed. The
computer does NOT have a parallel printer port. Have therefore
hooked up my parallel HP laserjet printer to the computer using a USB/
Parellel converter cable, which up to this time, has worked without a
problem.

Now, the problem, the older Payroll program calls for printing through
LPT ports or COM ports, but no USB ports.

Therefore am unable to print payroll files.

Any suggestions on how to work around this problem!

Didn't quite follow, but does your payroll system run under XP or do you
boot into a DOS environment? If you are in XP, then the USB converter should
allow you to setup your printer as if it were printing to the LPT (parallel
port). Open Start->Settings->Printers and Faxes. Choose your printer and
right click and choose properties - what is listed on the ports tab? Does it
use USB or LPT?

If you are booting to DOS, then I think it won't work - USB in DOS anyone?
You could try googling for "USB and DOS", but I doubt if you would get very
far!

 

[Paul]

I have an older DAC Easy Payroll Program for DOS. Also have a brand
new HP Media Center PC computer that has XP installed. The
computer does NOT have a parallel printer port. Have therefore
hooked up my parallel HP laserjet printer to the computer using a USB/
Parellel converter cable, which up to this time, has worked without a
problem.

Now, the problem, the older Payroll program calls for printing through
LPT ports or COM ports, but no USB ports.

Therefore am unable to print payroll files.

Any suggestions on how to work around this problem!

best, Aaron

They make PCI cards with a parallel port chip on it. The prices on this
site are terrible, but at least you get some idea what kind of cards
are available. For example, there is a low profile PCI card version
here, which would be suitable for a more compact PC. Regular profile PCI
cards have a taller slot faceplate.

http://www.startech.com/product/itemlist.aspx?product_desc=parallel+port&search.x=0&search.y=0

There is an example here, with a regular profile faceplate, suitable for
your average DIY homebuilt computer, where the card is only $9.00 .
It even comes with a driver CD.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815124004

These PCI cards can have issues:

http://groups.google.ca/group/micro..._frm/thread/53ca569ae78da999/b3a277ec530ae559

This is the main chip on one of those boards.

http://www.moschip.com/data/products/NM9805/Data Sheet_9805.pdf

I don't know anything about the usage of these cards, but there are
8000 hits or so in Google on the subject.

http://groups.google.ca/groups/search?q=parallel+port+card

Paul

 

[kony]

I have an older DAC Easy Payroll Program for DOS. Also have a brand
new HP Media Center PC computer that has XP installed. The
computer does NOT have a parallel printer port. Have therefore
hooked up my parallel HP laserjet printer to the computer using a USB/
Parellel converter cable, which up to this time, has worked without a
problem.

Now, the problem, the older Payroll program calls for printing through
LPT ports or COM ports, but no USB ports.

Therefore am unable to print payroll files.

Any suggestions on how to work around this problem!

best, Aaron

Don't use a new computer without a parallel port when a DOS
program can't use and doesn't need this, instead using a
computer with a parallel port?

Run a DOS window?

Install a PCI parallel port card?

Get a newer payroll program?

Don't pay anybody? (might not be "working" for long).

See if the USB-Parallel adapter manufacturer offers a DOS
driver, or if you can find another such adapter that has
one.

 

[Alex Harrington]

Any suggestions on how to work around this problem!

Hmm - can you still "capture a printer port" under XP. I don't have an
XP PC here to test it on. If you can, share the USB printer then add a
new network printer (the one you shared) and capture LPT1 to it...

I may be well off on that suggestion though!

Nope - Google to the rescue. You can do it:
http://support.riverdeep.net/techtips_detail.asp?id=156

Alex