USB, Parallel Scanner, Serial Joystick

[The Kid]

Hey,

I have a scanner which runs on a parallel port and and a joystick which runs on
a serial port. I've been looking up comps and i found one i like, the catch is
that it doesn't have parallel or serial ports. Can i get adapters for the USB
ports? I've heard that USB is designed to run by plugging them in while the
comp is on, and vice versa for parallel and serial.. if i get adapters, do i
plug them in while the comp is on, or while it is off?

TIA

 

[Jim Turner]

Hey,

I have a scanner which runs on a parallel port and and a joystick which runs on
a serial port. I've been looking up comps and i found one i like, the catch is
that it doesn't have parallel or serial ports. Can i get adapters for the USB
ports? I've heard that USB is designed to run by plugging them in while the
comp is on, and vice versa for parallel and serial.. if i get adapters, do i
plug them in while the comp is on, or while it is off?

TIA

Your parallel scanner is not going to work with a usb adapter. The USB to
parallel adapters out only work with printers, and then not all of them.
Your scanner needs very close control of the parallel port to emulate a
scsi adapter. With the cheap prices of scanners today, it might be a good
excuse to upgrade to a new scanner.

Don't remember the last time I saw a "serial" joystick. Most of them have
been on the db17 custom joystick interface commonly found on sound cards.
The USB joystick adapters normally work ok but it depends on which
joystick you have. If your joystick truly runs on a serial port, it
probably requires custom software which might not work on a usb to serial
adapter. Check the manufacturer to find out. Posting the model here would
also be a good idea.

 

[Marc Reinig]

I think Belkin makes a USB adapter that has serial and parallel ports and
maybe even a hub.

You can plug USB devices in while the system is running or stopped.

Marc Reinig
System Solutions