Problems connecting an old HP LaserJet 2100 to an XP Pro machine

[Henry Ross]

A colleague has just bought a new computer and is struggling to connect his
LaserJet 2100pcl6 (yes, I know it's old!). Because it only connects via an
LPT cable and the new machine doesn't have an LPT port, he's got hold of an
LPT-USB adaptor and plugged it into his USB port.

Windows XP Pro SP2 recognises it and prints a test page, but it won't print
anything else (such as a Word document). Under the properties he's selected
the USB port, and the print processor shows "WinPrint" and RAW data type.

Can anyone suggest what else he might be able to do to get this bloody thing
working, or is he going to have to buy a new printer?

Many thanks.

TrentSC

 

[philo]

A colleague has just bought a new computer and is struggling to connect his
LaserJet 2100pcl6 (yes, I know it's old!). Because it only connects via an
LPT cable and the new machine doesn't have an LPT port, he's got hold of an
LPT-USB adaptor and plugged it into his USB port.

Windows XP Pro SP2 recognises it and prints a test page, but it won't print
anything else (such as a Word document). Under the properties he's selected
the USB port, and the print processor shows "WinPrint" and RAW data type.

Can anyone suggest what else he might be able to do to get this bloody thing
working, or is he going to have to buy a new printer?

Many thanks.

TrentSC

It might just be as simple as setting that printer to default.

In the list of printers, there could be something else set as default (such
as document writer)

 

[Henry Ross]

A colleague has just bought a new computer and is struggling to connect

his

It might just be as simple as setting that printer to default.

In the list of printers, there could be something else set as default
(such
as document writer)

Thanks for the suggestion, but that's already been done!

 

[philo]

Thanks for the suggestion, but that's already been done!

If you go to print (for example) a Word document...
can you see the preview OK?
or does it not even allow a preview?

 

[BigJim]

check this link out for a interface card
http://www.pricewatch.com/controller_cards/parallel.htm

 

[Ben Myers]

LPT-USB cables are pretty foolproof technology, and I've used them quite a bit
in recent years.

My rule of thumb for many years with Windows is that if the printer can print a
test page, it can print (almost) anything else. The exception is if the
information being printed manages to exceed the capacity of the memory in the
printer, but the result of this would be premature ejection of a half-printed
page. (In this respect, additional memory may be considered to be Viagra for
an aging printer.)

"it won't print anything else" What are the symptoms? Describe what happens
when it does not print. Does the printer print a simple text file from
Notepad? This would be a good test, because it does not tax a printer's memory
capacity. You might also check the printer's Windows configuration vs, its
real configuration, especially memory. Also, change the number of dpi as a
test.

.... Ben Myers

 

[Michael Johnson]

I also suggest getting a LPT port card. They are dirt cheap and will
solve his problem. Here's a link to ones that are sold at Newegg:
http://tinyurl.com/yr5xvn

 

[JANA]

Your printer requires a true by-directional port. Get a parallel printer
card, and install it in to the computer. I am sure that the printer will
work. I have been through this with a similar printer.

A second solution, but more expensive is to get a network to parallel
printer adaptor and a router. Connect the computer as a network machine and
connect the printer to the router via the adaptor.

My first suggestion is the cheapest and easiest.

--

JANA
_____


A colleague has just bought a new computer and is struggling to connect his
LaserJet 2100pcl6 (yes, I know it's old!). Because it only connects via an
LPT cable and the new machine doesn't have an LPT port, he's got hold of an
LPT-USB adaptor and plugged it into his USB port.

Windows XP Pro SP2 recognises it and prints a test page, but it won't print
anything else (such as a Word document). Under the properties he's selected
the USB port, and the print processor shows "WinPrint" and RAW data type.

Can anyone suggest what else he might be able to do to get this bloody thing
working, or is he going to have to buy a new printer?

Many thanks.

TrentSC

 

[Ben Myers]

On balance, I have to agree. The cost of the card may far outweigh the time
spent troubleshooting why the parallel to USB connection does not work reliably.

.... Ben Myers

 

[smlunatick]

LPT-USB cables are pretty foolproof technology, and I've used them quite abit
in recent years.

My rule of thumb for many years with Windows is that if the printer can print a
test page, it can print (almost) anything else.   The exception is if the
information being printed manages to exceed the capacity of the memory in the
printer, but the result of this would be premature ejection of a half-printed
page.   (In this respect, additional memory may be considered to be Viagra for
an aging printer.)

"it won't print anything else"   What are the symptoms?   Describe what happens
when it does not print.   Does the printer print a simple text file from
Notepad?   This would be a good test, because it does not tax a printer's memory
capacity.   You might also check the printer's Windows configuration vs,its
real configuration, especially memory.  Also, change the number of dpi as a
test.

... Ben Myers









- Show quoted text -

USB to Parallel convertors are not all "created" equal! I have seen
several "generic" models fail to work correctly.

There are several differebt parallel add-on boards. PCI and PCI
Express models are not 'interchangable" so make sure your get the
correct one for the motherboard slot.

 

[Ben Myers]

I've used IBM-branded USB-parallel cables, and they work just fine. Your caveat
is well-intended though. There is a lot of cheap junk being sold for computers
these days. Some of the cheap stuff works perfectly, other junk no.

I don't think I have ever seen a PCI-Express parallel port card, but I've never
seen a purple cow, either. The bandwidth required to drive a parallel port is
too low to justify design and development of a PCI-Express card, and parallel
ports are no longer mainstream... Ben Myers

 

[irv]

how about an hp jetdirect 600n internal print server for the printer and
connect it through the network.
$10+ on ebay

i have done it that way and it worked great.

 

[Ben Myers]

If memory serves me well, the printer is not designed for an internal JetDirect,
but an external one would work OK provided the OP has a smallish network.

.... Ben Myers

 

[Ben Myers]

I take it all back. The HP website states that the 2100 DOES have an EIO slot
for a JetDirect.

Since the printer supports PCL, it might also be possible to set up the printer
with the USB-parallel cable AND use the PCL driver for an older model of printer
such as the LJ-II or LJ-III. More limited capabilities, but if the OP wants to
evaluate whether to spend more on the printer, this would be an inexpensive way
to do so. HP's PCL printers are generally upward compatible, i.e. a newer
printer's PCL is a superset of that of an older printer. Last week, because I
did not have Windows 98 software available for a client's really old computer, I
connected up a Laserjet 4050 to the parallel port and simply retained the old
LaserJet II driver. The client was satisfied with this workaround... Ben Myers

 

[smlunatick]

I've used IBM-branded USB-parallel cables, and they work just fine.  Your caveat
is well-intended though.  There is a lot of cheap junk being sold for computers
these days.   Some of the cheap stuff works perfectly, other junk no.

I don't think I have ever seen a PCI-Express parallel port card, but I've never
seen a purple cow, either.   The bandwidth required to drive a parallel port is
too low to justify design and development of a PCI-Express card, and parallel
ports are no longer mainstream... Ben Myers


<SNIP>







- Show quoted text -

Well several manufacturers have deemed that this is a "viable" source
of revenue. Here is one PCIExpress parallel port:

http://www.startech.com/Product/ItemDetail.aspx?productid=PEX1PECP&c=CA

 

[Ben Myers]

I'd like to see how many HUNDRED dollars of annual revenue they get this year
for their efforts... Ben Myers

 

[Michael Johnson]

Would an older parallel device be able to use the extra speed of this card?

 

[Ben Myers]

Exactly my point! A parallel port, even the newest and fastest bi-directional
one, uses a teeny tiny part of the bandwidth of PCI, let alone PCI-Express. A
PCI-Express parallel card instead of a PCI parallel card who have about zero
effect on the overall speed of printing. The data transmission to the printer
is still very much limited by the parallel port. So why even sell a PCI-Express
parallel card? It is a waste of bandwidth and a potentially valuable slot to
drive a now-obsolete device.

But, hey, I do not run StarTech or its engineering department. They probably
pay prevailing Chinese wages to their enginners, so the development cost is
almost nil... Ben Myers

 

[nobody >]

Exactly my point! A parallel port, even the newest and fastest bi-directional
one, uses a teeny tiny part of the bandwidth of PCI, let alone PCI-Express. A
PCI-Express parallel card instead of a PCI parallel card who have about zero
effect on the overall speed of printing. The data transmission to the printer
is still very much limited by the parallel port. So why even sell a PCI-Express
parallel card? It is a waste of bandwidth and a potentially valuable slot to
drive a now-obsolete device.

You are assuming that all printers are $49 specials at Staples.

What about the person who has a specialized barcode or label printer
that only has a parallel interface? Those tend to be pricey and often
proprietary to some business software/hardware packages.


Obsolescence is a relative term.

 

[Michael Johnson]

You are assuming that all printers are $49 specials at Staples.

What about the person who has a specialized barcode or label printer
that only has a parallel interface? Those tend to be pricey and often
proprietary to some business software/hardware packages.


Obsolescence is a relative term.

How much data is transfered reading a bar code or to print a label? I
have a plotter that has a parallel interface and sending an average
24"x36" CAD drawing to it takes maybe 15-30 seconds. I don't see that a
barcode or label gets anywhere close to that amount of data. Even
considering your comment, I still don't see where an older parallel port
device could take advantage of the increased speed of this card.