Using Parallel to USB cable w/ HP LaserJet 4L

[amandaf37]

Hi

I have a HP LaserJet 4L that I want to connect to a laptop mlenovo
thinkpad). Do I need to use a dock or is there any other way, like
getting a parallel to usb cable? In fact, I wonder whether I can use a
parallel to usb cable with desktop for this printer.

BTW, cleaning the house, I found 3 parallel printer cable - 6ft, 6ft,
and 12 ft - plus I have 2 12ft, and what's the best way to get rid of
them? Craigslist? Would anyone even want it?

 

[adi]

Hi

I have a HP LaserJet 4L that I want to connect to a laptop mlenovo
thinkpad). Do I need to use a dock or is there any other way, like
getting a parallel to usb cable? In fact, I wonder whether I can use a
parallel to usb cable with desktop for this printer.

When I bought a new laptop earlier this year I wanted to do the same
with my HP Laserjet 1100. Because the 1100 had a mini-centronics
connector, I had to buy a adapter to convert it to a db-25 parallel
and then a db-25 parallel to usb. When I connected it to my laptop
(Win XP Pro), I did have problems. Sometimes the "port" would go
away. It's stable now and I have it connected to a specific USB
port.

However, if you want a quick/simple solution, I would suggest
getting a PCMCIA/ExpressCard parallel card for your laptop.

 

[Martha Adams]

Re the parallel port printer, I've just been a cycle of work with
some old printers, and I can report a success. If.

I was running Windows XP in an Averatec laptop. No parallel
port. I found a conversion cable: USB in, Centronics / printer
out. It was made by Inland (http://www.inland-products.com).
I found detailed instructions to use it at Inland's Web pages,
not with the product.

Be advised the conversion cable comes in two varieties that
I know of, you want the newer one that works with Windows
XP, it is labelled 'USB PARALLEL CONVERTER' and carries
Stock # 08305.

Setup is exactly as usual for Windows XP, you have to find
appropriate printer maker and model. (But there are a lot
of them there.) Then in the setup, the little secret is you
must go away down the Ports list to find something like
'USB virtual port' and choose that. In my machine it was
last on the list.

So then you do the setup and if everything is ok, when you
choose 'Test Page' it takes a few seconds, then you hear
the printer starting up. I've so far printed thru a Canon
BJC200ex; an Epson MX80; an Epson LQ800. The good
thing is it works with Windows-prepared files. The bad
thing is I don't see that Microsoft gives you any way to
access all the printer's inner stuff like fonts and etc.

Cheers -- Martha Adams
[comp.periphs.printers 2007 Sep 11]

 

[Don]

I am using a USB parallel to an 4P as well and no real problems except that
for every print job I get a post print sheet with "sIM" at the top left
corner of the page and nothing else. Cannot seem to find a way of getting
rid of the wasted sheet. Using Vista Business Edition. No other problems
with the setup that I can see. Any advice would be appreciated.

regards
Don

Re the parallel port printer, I've just been a cycle of work with
some old printers, and I can report a success. If.

I was running Windows XP in an Averatec laptop. No parallel
port. I found a conversion cable: USB in, Centronics / printer
out. It was made by Inland (http://www.inland-products.com).
I found detailed instructions to use it at Inland's Web pages,
not with the product.

Be advised the conversion cable comes in two varieties that
I know of, you want the newer one that works with Windows
XP, it is labelled 'USB PARALLEL CONVERTER' and carries
Stock # 08305.

Setup is exactly as usual for Windows XP, you have to find
appropriate printer maker and model. (But there are a lot
of them there.) Then in the setup, the little secret is you
must go away down the Ports list to find something like
'USB virtual port' and choose that. In my machine it was
last on the list.

So then you do the setup and if everything is ok, when you
choose 'Test Page' it takes a few seconds, then you hear
the printer starting up. I've so far printed thru a Canon
BJC200ex; an Epson MX80; an Epson LQ800. The good
thing is it works with Windows-prepared files. The bad
thing is I don't see that Microsoft gives you any way to
access all the printer's inner stuff like fonts and etc.

Cheers -- Martha Adams
[comp.periphs.printers 2007 Sep 11]

When I bought a new laptop earlier this year I wanted to do the same
with my HP Laserjet 1100. Because the 1100 had a mini-centronics
connector, I had to buy a adapter to convert it to a db-25 parallel
and then a db-25 parallel to usb. When I connected it to my laptop
(Win XP Pro), I did have problems. Sometimes the "port" would go
away. It's stable now and I have it connected to a specific USB
port.

However, if you want a quick/simple solution, I would suggest
getting a PCMCIA/ExpressCard parallel card for your laptop.