Connecting pre-historic LaserJet Plus 4...How to?

[bluebunnies7]

Before getting upgraded to a new pc with Win7, I was on XP and had my own HP Laserjet Plus 4 that I didn't have to share with anyone...it just plugged in to the pc parallel port.

So now I've got this snazzy new pc, but my jurassic printer won't connect--because there's no serial/parallel ports on it --being that they're completely ancient and useless nowadays.lol

So here's my dilemma...how do I get the printer connected to the PC??? The bossman sprung for a new pc, so there's no way I'll get a new printer-or even a used one...I'll be stuck with this thing until it catches fire (no joke haha).

I understand there are adapters we can buy, but the one I need only comes in a 6-ft length (Belkin brand)...the parallel cable I had previously is 25ft. I can't find anything usb to parallel that comes in that length...and the way my office is set up, there's no other option but to use a long run of cable from the pc to printer (I can't move any of the equipment from where it is now for various reasons).

So, smart people, please send me some suggestions for what to do in this situation. I'm totally stumped. I thought maybe connect a shorter cable to the parallel cable and plug the new one into the usb port--but I don't know if that's even possible. And (please don't flame me haha) but the Mac-lover in me is just screaming, "What about wireless printing???!!!"haha Isn't there a bluetooth add-on for my printer--because that would make life **way** simpler for me... lol

So any comments, suggestions and or help would be very very much appreciated.
(My IT person wears several hats here and she hasn't had time to 'fix' my problem--instead I'm supposed to try to order 'whatever parts' I need to fix it....)

 

[Petey7]

I've been looking around online to find information about this. What I've found says that a lot of people have trouble trying to use Parallel to USB converter cable. What I found recommended is a HP JetDirect card. It used to connect a HP printer to a network via ethernet cable. You connect it to a router/switch and use it as a network printer, which any computer on the network can use.

 

[Sardonicus]

Here's a possible solution.
Windows 7 and HP LaserJet 4 Plus - HP Support Forum
Amazon.com: Sabrent SBT-UPPC USB to Parallel 6-Foot Printer Cable: Electronics

Let us know how it works out.

 

[Sardonicus]

I forgot to mention that a 25 ft USB extension cable will give you the added length.
Good Luck.

 

[Britton30]

I forgot to mention that a 25 ft USB extension cable will give you the added length.
Good Luck.

Or plug your 25' parallel cable into the adapter?

 

[Sardonicus]

I forgot to mention that a 25 ft USB extension cable will give you the added length.
Good Luck.

Or plug your 25' parallel cable into the adapter?

Ditto!

 

[Zepher]

I forgot to mention that a 25 ft USB extension cable will give you the added length.
Good Luck.

Or plug your 25' parallel cable into the adapter?

I forgot to mention that a 25 ft USB extension cable will give you the added length.
Good Luck.

Or plug your 25' parallel cable into the adapter?

Ditto!

If the adaptor has a centronics connector, you won't be able to plug the db25 pin cable into the adaptor.

 

[bluebunnies7]

Wow you guys thanks so much for the quick replies!
I'm going to print this thread so my IT person can decide which way to go...I see that the Jet cards aren't too terribly expensive, but the cable is even cheaper--so I'm guessing that's probably the way we'll go.
Sardonicus, that's something I didn't think of--didn't even know they had them!! Awesome!!! (btw, love the screen-name btw--sounds like a character from Xena.lol Awesome! )

Thanks again everyone...I'll run this all by my peeps and see what they want to do...I'm thinking whatever is *cheapest*haha
~bb7

 

[Britton30]

You're welcome. Have a look at these Centronics connectors, there are 36 and 50 pin versions.

Of course at some point you'll have to get a new printer or share a common one.

 

[bluebunnies7]

You guys are totally the bomb!! All fixed now!
I ordered the centronics connector and the usb extension cable...and with a little new-driver downloading, I'm good to go!! Yay!!
I just have some tiny glitches I'm trying to figure out...My post office shipping software doesn't like this configuration much--I can't figure out why...It sends my shipping labels to the printer, but the printer never gets them. Weird huh?
And the driver download installed HP Universal Printing PCL5, which from what I read, is the right thing for my setup...but in my printer folder, I now have an icon for that and my HP Laserjet Plus 4... I'm afraid to delete anything because I think they work together to run the printer?? I dunno but I'm not touching them...lol
Anyhoo, all is good and I really really appreciate everyone's input.
TY
~bb7