[SOLVED] Parallel Port

[john-2620]

I am in the market for a new desktop. My current printer is a HP LaserJet 6L which is a parallel port printer. Desktops today do not come with parallel ports. So the question is, should I buy a parallel port card, or buy USB to parallel adapter?

 

[kanewolf]

I am in the market for a new desktop. My current printer is a HP LaserJet 6L which is a parallel port printer. Desktops today do not come with parallel ports. So the question is, should I buy a parallel port card, or buy USB to parallel adapter?

I would get an old used parallel printer server. Search on E-Bay for a J2591 print server. That would allow you to decouple the printer from your PC.

 

[Paperdoc]

Newer devices for that look like this

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Ethernet-Parallel-Network-Server/dp/B00HJZEAC8/ref=sr_1_8?crid=SRYEVPACMFF1&dchild=1&keywords=parallel+port+print+server&qid=1612909533&sprefix=paralell+port+,aps,189&sr=8-8

and there are other makers, too. This converts your printer with its parallel port interface into a network printer that all computers on your local network can access, using your standard 10 or 100 Mb/s Cat5 cable. The unit simply plugs into the parallel port on the back of your printer, and comes with its own "power brick" or "wall wart" to supply the power it needs. Then you use a standard network cable to connect it to your router or switch. It needs some configuration that is supposed to be covered in the accompanying installation instructions.

Your other option, if you don't want to do it as a network printer, might be to get a converter that connects between your printer and a USB port on your computer. Then the printer serves only that computer, unless you make other arrangements to share resources on a network. This device looks like this (other makers of these, too)

https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Parallel-Printer-Adapter-CB-CN36/dp/B00IDU0T1Y/ref=sr_1_2?crid=SRYEVPACMFF1&dchild=1&keywords=parallel+port+print+server&qid=1612909533&sprefix=paralell+port+,aps,189&sr=8-2

No power supply unit required, no network configuration needed, very simple to install.