win 7 and parallel printer

Plet L · 10 Jul 2011

I am new to the forum and have questions about a new win 7 computer and an older printer.

I am currently using a HP PSC 500 printer cabled to an XP tower. I have a wifi that allows an XP laptop to print to this printer. The PSC 500 uses a parallel cable - no USB.

I plan to buy a new win 7 computer but would like to keep the printer. Can I have the dealer install a parallel port in the computer to connect to the printer? If this is done would the parallel port still allow wifi access to the laptop?

This is my first experience with win 7 and will have other questions later. Thank you.
Regards,
Plet L

TVeblen · 10 Jul 2011

Hello Plet L. Welcome to the Forum.

If you buy a "modern" parallel port card that has drivers specifically for W7 you should be good to print.

But a quick look on the web shows people having problems getting the scanner to work in W7. It looks like the workaround was to use a virtual XP machine to do so.

If the printer is installed and working on the W7 computer then the laptop should still be able to use it through the Wireless LAN as the negotiation is between the PC's, not the printer. The only glitch would be if the XP's driver would need to be updated to use the printer through the desktop's parallel port card.

IMHO- This is something you try - set a maximum amount of time and money that you find reasonable - and if you can't get it to work by then you just need to bite the bullet and buy a new printer.

theog · 10 Jul 2011

There are new MOBO's about with a parallel port.

whs · 10 Jul 2011

You have to weigh the cost of making this old printer work versus the cost of a new printer. The printers are so cheap these days that is may not be worth persuing a solution with the old gear.

theog · 10 Jul 2011

whs said:

You have to weigh the cost of making this old printer work versus the cost of a new printer. The printers are so cheap these days that is may not be worth persuing a solution with the old gear.

Yes, cheaper than ink.:)

alphanumeric · 10 Jul 2011

Another option is to connect a centronics to USB adapter. My old Brother HL-1230 only has a centronics printer port on the back of it, (parallel port connection on PC end of cable). The adapter I use converts it to a USB cable. Mine isn't an all in one though, it's just a black and white Laser printer. Another option would be to use a wireless print server that has a parallel port on it. If it works you don't have to leave a PC on all the time just for the printer. There are non wireless network print servers too. Keep in mind though that your scanner may not work with these devices. You won't know until you try it. If you add up the cost it may be more economical to just buy a new wireless printer or all in one.

bobkn · 10 Jul 2011

I see the the setup guide is copyright 1999.

Mu opinion: don't spend a lot of time or money trying to make this machine work on a Windows 7 PC.

Plet L · 11 Jul 2011

Good Morning,
Thank you for all your advice. After considerable thought and looking at cables, parallel ports, and your replies, we decided to look at a new printer rather than spend resourses trying to make a 10 year old printer work. After everything is hooked up, I'm sure we will have more questions. Thanks again to your help.
Regards,
Plet L

TVeblen · 11 Jul 2011

You will not regret that decision!

whs · 12 Jul 2011

The best experience and best service I found with Canon printers. By now I have 5 of them. Make sure you get a model with individual color cartridges.

A while ago they replaced a 2 1/2 year old photo printer free of charge (even paid postage for the return of the old printer) - it was not pulling the paper in correctly.