Printer Connection problem

[l5foye]

I recently acquired a new pc (Dell Dimension 9200 with quad processor). There does not seem to be a way of connecting my 5yr old HP printer- the cable end is different. Does this mean I have to buy a new printer? Or (he asks hopefully) can one buy some sort of connector?

 

[jpskiller]

if the printer does not have a USB connector you can get converters from PARALLEL(LPT) to USB but they are kinda hit and miss if they work

 

[Parrotman]

By no means an expert but hazard a guess the printer has a parallel port connector only and your new computer has usb ports. Buy a parallel port > usb adaptor.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/family.aspx?menu=1595&MenuName=Computer+Cables&worldid=-3&doy=Search

 

[masqueraid]

What printer do you want to connect?

 

[timskemp]

If you need a parallel port and don't want to use a USB adaptor use one of these (assuming the PC has a PCI slot!)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PCI-Parallel-...hZ016QQcategoryZ96880QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

(seller is a colleague of mine)

What's the model or service tag of the dell?

 

[nickcc101]

If the printer has a parallel port you could buy a card to fit into one of the slots inside your pc. You can buy these for as little as £5 from ebay.

 

[l5foye]

Thank you for all the replies. The printer is a HP 710C-there does not seem to be any slots at the back of it. The connector is a 25 pin one and under FAQ's at Maplin, it says they don't have a suitable adaptor for this type of connector. Does the card provide an end for a 25 pin connector to be plugged into? Forgive me if that is a stupid question. How does the card work?

 

[masqueraid]

This will do it using the standard HP drivers.

 

[Parrotman]

Alternatively it might be just as well perhaps to bite the bullet and buy a new printer depending on your needs, ie text or photos'. Printers have improved and by shopping around good deals can be obtained.

 

[grober]

Some good advice there. If you don't need colour I would recommend one of the small HP laserjet printers. The HP LASERJET 1022 is fast little printer with a small desk footprint and easily obtained cartridges. http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0007ZGSQ8/?tag=amazon0e9db-21

 

[gaz_l]

The printer is a HP 710C-there does not seem to be any slots at the back of it.

With a lot of the older HP printers there is a removable cover over the printer connections. Remove the cover and you'll see the 36 pin Centronics connector at the other end of your printer cable. If you disconnect this (there are 2 wire locking devices at the ends of the connector that you will have to unlatch), then the USB adaptor that masqueraid posted a link to will plug in in place of the printer cable.

Might be a cheaper solution if your printer is still running OK - I hate throwing working equipment in the bin..

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[Westy]

What's the model of the printer?

It may have both Parallel & USB connectivity! If it does, you just need a standard USB cable.