Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (
More info?)
zakezuke wrote:
>>It is installed with USB, bu I just don't see
>>paying $8 for a USB cord when I have several
>>parallel cords and an empty parallel socket on my
>>computer.
>
>
> I've been spending $5.00 each for my USB cables... local biglots store.
> That is if my other equipment doesn't come with a USB cable that I
> didn't use. In the past when i've absolutely needed a USB cable and
> the only option was a big retail store, I ended up buying other
> equipment like a low end card reader which came with a A to B usb
> cable.
Thanks, we have a Biglots so I'll check there.
Don't need a card reader but that's a good
suggestion too.
>
> I can only think of a two reasons to do what you are asking.
>
> 1. You lack or don't have enough USB ports You don't want to open
> your PC to add more.
Got an open USB port
> 2. The USB ports you have are of an older type that windows can't use
> as is the case with some pentium machines... circa 1997 or so, and they
> just don't work.
Nope and am running XP
>
> I can think of a few reasons to go USB.
> 1. The cable is a good deal smaller
True
> 2. Generally it is much faster, even in 1999 when the printer port
> speed was technicaly higher than USB, I observed a PPM benifit on USB.
True
> Current USB speeds are much higher.
> 3. You can disable those legacy ports all together
> 4. Chances are the parallel to usb adapter will cost more than just a
> sub $10.00 cable.
Whoa, I don't need a parallelt to usb adapter,
Parallel on the computer and on the printer.
> 5. They don't always work perfectly. Parallel is a flacky technology
> when talking bi-directional communications. Chances are it will work
> well enough to print.
I'm no expert but never saw a problem at home or
at work using parallel ports
> 6. Parallel isn't hotswapable. You "can" do it, but it is possible to
> short out that port if you are not careful hot swapping, the port was
> dumb enough to deal with equipment disapearing and reapearing without
> blinking an eye.
True
>
> I do understand where you are comming from. The cost of USB cables is
> very annoying and they don't typicaly come with printers, where they do
> come with cable and dsl modems. Retail stores see these things as a
> means to profit from loss leader products like printers.
They come with HP printers.
>
> I spent a good deal of money on parallel cables in the past, even a
> couple of extra length with the go faster gold contacts, not that i
> needed gold it was just the only option at that store for extra long
> cables. But going with a parallel to usb adapter won't make any of
> your old cords useful as the standard cable on the pc was a 25pin male
> to 36pin centronic, where these parallel to usb adpters are likely
> going to be just a small box that attaches to the printer port with a
> little usb cable comming out the end. The only "cord" I can think of
> that would be useful would be a 25pin m to 25p f, but most of those
> were designated big arse modem cables and sometimes all the wires are
> not connected.
My cords are standard IEEE 1284 cords 25 pin and
36 pin ends.
>
> But hey... if you can find a parallel to usb adapter for less money
> than a simple usb cable.... more power too you. It should work. As we
> are dealing with a regular printer with little communication to the PC
> other than error messages from time to time you should enjoy long life.
>
Don't need no stinkin' adapters. But thanks for
the last. The HP970 talks a lot, maybe that is
why there were problems, but I think it really was
mostly the printer driver.
Thanks for the discussion.
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