Can "Expansion Port 2" on my HP ze2366 be used as a Parallel Printer Port?

Hallo,
I've got this strange "Expansion Port 2" on the left side of my new NB and I don't know what its for!

It's about the size of a parallel port and takes up alot of room. So it must be good for something! WHat is it for?

I've looked through the hardware manager but couldn't find it installed, does it need an extra driver?

Is there an adaptor available for it to be converted to a paralel port or maybe a serial port? I have a laser printer with parallel connection I'd like to use...

 

No, that is not a printer port. It is for a port replicator or docking station.

The docking station doesn't have a parallel port, either. Everything's gone USB!

 

That's so stupid!
It takes up all that room on the side and it's practically useless.
If it could be used in some way to connect something usefull like a parallel printer, a video-in, an external hard disc or a digital SPDF...

 

You can find a bunch of applications of this port. It's very useful if you primarily use the laptop on a desk, then you can invest in a docking station which has a number of features/advantages. Look at one here xb2000 (actually the same as Slappy's)
As for the printer : USB connectors are available.

 

It is also for XC2000 media cable connection.

 

It is really useful if you buy that media cable mentioned(comes with PCMCIA remote too). It has USB, Firewire, Digital SPDIF( coax), IR Receiver, S-Video, RCA Audio, Composite Video connections.

So, what else you want? Parallel printer ports are even gone from most desktops now-a-days. I think HP did good thing by including this Expansion port

 

@billcsho
What is a XC2000 media cable connection

@chinna_n
Ok, the docking station could be usefull.
But it costs about half the price of the laptop itself, and who needs it.
It only offers whats already on the laptop.

I'll just have to get myself an USB/parallel adaptor so I can use my Olivetti Laser printer. It's either that or buy a parallel print server which is too expensive.

 

It is offering you lot of extras, IR, Remote, extra ports, and digital audio with docking capability( many times it comes for $80 with coupon).

You do not need to buy a print server. You can buy USB to parallel converters.
Like this one for $9

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16812156005

 

How much would it effect the battery using the Expansion Port 2?

 

I wouldn't think it would affect battery anyway. It is just a connector for existing ports which are on MB, exception being Comsumer IR Receiver which takes negligible power. Ofcourse if you connect any USB,Firewire peripherals, it is going use( same for onboard ports too).

And, as per testing, no, I do not have that media cable. I wanted to buy it,but in my case I do not see using it much, as I am not using anything external on my lappie. My desktop is configure for that with Digital out connected to 6.1 Digital receiver, Built in Tuner, customized remote, long range wireless KB with Trackball, and 32" LCD TV connected as second monitor to view DVDs, TV, MPEG files( all controlled via remote), music,photos etc.( Streaming is done using VideoLan to watch on laptop)

BTW I do have 3 all-in-one printers 1 being laser, 2 inkjet ( 2 faxes) , two Printers connected to Main PC and one connected to Linux server and all are shared, and I can print to any printer wirelessly.( use upstairs shared when I am upstairs).

If you have a desktop, you could share it and use it too with you laptop and print wirelessly.

 

Our electricity prices have gone up drasticly here in Germany.
We pay about 0.23 cents/kWH.

We're buckling our belts and I'm using the laptop all the time for internet, emails etc.. Our games PC is only turned on on weekends for the kids.

I used to have a file server with two shared printers and a gaming computer on 24 hours a day. But thats all changing now that we have to pay $115/per month electricity.

Thats why a parallel port on the NB would have been nice. I'll find a cheap USB/Parallel adaptor soon.

 

lol, I know it is painful. You are still better than me I guess. I pay $150+ in winters. ( summer it is pretty cheap at $50 though).

 

this.

Not going to help your situation, but it is another option for the XP-2.

 

What else can we use this port for?

I've been looking at the docking station and media cable. Basically I want increased expandibility (because I was too stupid to get the $25 upgrade to PCMCIA/Firewire/3rd USB). I need a few USB, firewire etc. VGA would be great, but they don't seem to do that. Some sort of expansion bay (eg a PCMCIA or similar) slot would be great too, but I haven't seen that.

Question 1: do either of these allow you to get 5.1 audio output?

Question 2: how can the docking station have more video output options that the video card in the laptop?

 

Question 1: do either of these allow you to get 5.1 audio output?
Ans: Yes, it will allow to output DD or DTS digital out so that you can connect to a Digital receiver which is capable of decoding DD or DTS 5.1.

Question 2: how can the docking station have more video output options that the video card in the laptop?
Ans: I do not know which model you are referring to. But business series nc/nx series has DVI output on docking station. Basically, laptop has capability that has not been used, they just out the connector to be able to use. Ofcourse, olden days, there were different docks. My Dell latittude C640 dock has PCI slot and IR receiver and PCI network card( extra, we can use both laptops and docks at the same time).

 

Stop using old printers.

 

I've got 6 full cartridges for my two Olivetti Laser Printers.
So I'm not going to stop using them for some time yet.
They're built like brick s***t houses and been working for several years.
I got them from work around 1999.

 

$89,99

 

So even though my sound card (on dv5020) doesn't normally support 5.1 sound; once I plug in the cable/docking station, it will?

I don't understand laptops. Sigh.

 

If you have problem with the AC adapter plug on your laptop, you can use the power input on the XC2000 or XB2000 for charging your laptop. People have been using XC1000 for older HP laptop to solve the broken power port issue.

 

No, it does not support 5.1 decoding, what it does is, it passes the direct digital stream( 5.1 or 2 channel does not matter) as long as it has SPDIF interface.

In this case it has SPDIF interface, but there is no connector on the laptop, but that connector is provided thru ExpansionPort2 connection.

But, in DVD software you have to select that option to send DD or DTS thru SPDIF( instead of downmixing to two speakers).


See that attached picture on how to select that PowerDVD for example.

 

Sorry for being stupid here, but thanks for bearing with me...

So, my sound card does support 5.1 if I use this cable?

Is there any way of getting 5.1 sound out of my machine without forking out $89?

 

NICE!!!! Hey folks....first time poster here. I was looking for a solution to adding firewire to my HP dv5020 since it didn't come with one. I need it for digital video transfers from my video cam. I was origionally going to purchase an Express Card firewire adapter from newegg, but was curious as to what the expansion was for. So I googled it, and ended up here. I already knew that the expansion port could be used for an optional docking station, but had no idea that this All-in-One media cable was available!!! This is great solution, at least for me in adding a firewire port. The remote will be useless as the laptop already came with one, but what the hell! I'll get my firewire, a few additional connections, and I'll save a few bucks versus the purchase of an Express Card firewire adapter! Thanks.

 

Which model laptop yoiu are talking about. Because, it can only give firewire ports if your laptop has firewire chipset on MB. If you did not opt for Productivity ports option it is unlikely you have firewire chipset on MB. Check the device manager, you should be able to see that.

 

Hmm, if you know which of those contact surfaces belong to SPDIF interface on Expansion Port 2 scoket, probably you will be able to make one your self( I highly doubt if it is possible). Otherwise we are out of luck without Media Cable or Docking station.

May be if someone who opened the laptop may know where these connections originate on MB, so that eagers ones can solder couple of wires and extend a RCA connector.!!

 

That stupid ass picture needs to go

 

Hi,

The "Expansion Port 2" will affect the battery... it will charge it.

I bought the "xb2000 Notebook Expansion Base" and geez it was a good investment for me.

Actually, it is the only thing I need to plug to my HP zv6000 (not even the power cord). I use my notebook at work and at home everyday.

At home, I used to plug and unplug 4 USB devices + an audio 1/4" jack + an ethernet cable + a monitor cable + the power cord. Now... only my "Expansion Port 2" cable. For me $225 (after e-rebate) very well worth it!

"Expansion Port 2"... not so stupid after all...

 

It surely is a good thing. I wonder if it's possible to find/make an expansion base with a cooler in the bottom...it would be very helpful for thiner notebooks like l2000. I use mine a lot, it is on between 12 and 24 hours a day, and sometimes I'm worried that even though it's not hot the heat will not do it any good.

 

It's the dv5020. Will I be able to use this cable in order to add firewire?

My specs...

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...docname=c00577495&lc=en&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

If not...then what about one of these...

http://www.xterasys.com/e94a.htm

Thanks.

 

Bump, Bump, Bump.

 

Can I ask something?
What is this "Expansion Port 2"
Thank you

 

Why don't you first read the tread