need help connecting old printer to new laptop

My new Fujitsu S6231 lacks a suitable port for my HP LaserJet 1100, which I've had since 1999. My current printer cable has a 36-pin micro-centronics (I think) on one end, and a 25-pin male on the other. The printer works fine and I really don't want to spend another $200 on a new laserjet.

I have been to a bunch of computer stores here in NYC, and have been told variously that:

1. A micro-centronics to USB cable does not exist.
2. A 25-pin to USB converter does not exist.
3. I should buy a part that converts my 25-pin to a 9-pin, and then buy a converter for the 9-pin to USB (total cost: $70).
4. I should buy a port replicator (cost: $60).

Anyone have a better solution?

Thanks!

 

To clarify: my printer came with an IEEE 1284C to DB25 cable. I need something that will connect IEEE 1284C to USB.

 

Yeah, there's not a great solution here, and you're going to feel like a jerk paying $70 for cables. My recommendation would be to look for a wireless print server that supports the old paralell cables. At least that will benefit you by solving the problem and removing the need to be plugged in to print.

Brian

www.BargainPDA.com | www.DigitalCameraReview.com | www.NotebookReview.com | www.SpotStop.com | www.TabletPCReviewSpot.com

 

tatsmith,
Try to find a USB to Printer adapter I know they are out there, around $12.00.
Valsmere

 

Sorry for the second reply in a row!
taysmith,
Don't use the 25 pin to 9pin then a converter I really don't think that will work. Is the printer cable that you have from the 1100 a regular standard parallel printer cable? If Yes then you can find a USB port to that older style centronics parallel connection. That cable should cost between $10-15.
Valsmere

 

Meritline.com has a USB to IEEE1284 cable for 10.99 that might work for you. It did for me - to run my trusty Panasonic dot matrix KXP-1124. Expect to pay about $7 shipping.

 

Thanks to everyone for the replies.

My problem is that my printer doesn't use the standard centronics IEEE 1284. It's a *mini* (or micro) centronics IEEE 1284C, which is smaller than the regular parallel connector. I've been told that only Hewlett Packard used the IEEE 1284C, years ago, on a handful of their printers. So the regular centronics to USB adapter won't work in my case.

As for the wireless print server, Brian...well, I don't have a wireless network.

I did a quick search yesterday and I may have found some DB25 to USB converters for around $40, which I'll look into more next week. If anyone else has futher ideas, I'd appreciate hearing them.

 

You shouldn't have to have a wireless network, I think it can create a peer to peer relationship.

Brian

www.BargainPDA.com | www.DigitalCameraReview.com | www.NotebookReview.com | www.SpotStop.com | www.TabletPCReviewSpot.com

 

taysmith,
Ouch sorry for mis -understanding your problem. I think that is the only company that used that connection but I could be wrong. I will search around a little to see what I can come up with.
Valsmere

 

Just remember that a '25 pin D connector' can be either serial or parallel. You need a parallel port for that printer. http://www.pcmarket.co.nz/index.php?crn=25&rn=5580&action=show_detail is probably what you need to adapt a standard centronics cord to your printer.
PS- here's one I found that's not from New Zealand http://www.pccables.com/00030.htm
First PC = Vic-20, 8" 128KB Home-Brew Floppy Drive ... Current Rig = eMachines m6805 ... Quantum Leap?

 

taysmith, you will have to do the conversion in two steps.

1. This cable: http://www.provantage.com/buy-7teks05f-parallel-port-adapter-ieee-1284b-1284c-xerox-printer-accessories-013-0299-00-shopping.htm

2. And the one I mentioned above.

 

Chutsman, I had an "aha!" moment earlier today--before reading your post--in which I realized I could do exactly what you've described: swap my micro-centronics to DB25 cable for a micro-centronics to centronics cable (or converter). Then I'll connect a standard centronics to USB converter, which is easy enough to find. For some reason, it never occurred to me to replace my original printer cable; instead, I was hung up on finding a way to accommodate its connections.

Again, thank you all for your suggestions!

taysmith

 

Hey Tay...
Did this work for you? I have the same problem. Where did you buy your cables and how much were they? Are you happy with everything now?

 

Did anyone have any luck with this ?

Doing some searching on the internet today, I found a micro-centronics to centronic adapter....
http://sewelldirect.com/centronicstomini.asp

Using this, I would imagine you could use to standard parallel to usb printer cable.

Cheers,

David