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Got an error message from Windows 7 saying it couldn't install the downloaded driver. It installed and I tried to print. It arrived in just a couple of days and I got to work hooking it up (needed to print checks). The new computer has no 24-pin plug, of course, so I needed a USB adapter.
Chose Printer Properties, went to the Ports tab, LPT1 was highlighted. Saved and VOILA - was able to print my checks with no problems whatsoever. For my business I use an ANCIENT dot matrix printer to print out checks. Uh-oh. Didn't work.
Finally, I right clicked on the Epson icon in the Devices and Printers window. At first I was worried because while the adapter was in transit I tried downloading the driver for my early 1980s Epson. Cable arrived and I plugged it in. Cable also looks sturdy and well put together.
I just got a new computer with Windows 7. Uh-oh again. Fumbled around trying a few different things that didn't solve the problem. Scrolled down and changed it to USB001 Virtual Printer Port. In the Devices and Drivers window, I clicked on add a printer. I'm extremely satisfied and grateful to have found a solution. This one had good reviews.ordered it.
Note: The directions that come with the cable direct you to change the printer port as I did above, but it took me a while to figure it out because the directions are written for earlier versions of Windows so the steps are a bit different to get to the right place. Windows immediately recognized my printer as a generic USB device. My model was not in the available Epson driver list that came up, so I chose the oldest, most basic generic dot-matrix driver listed for Epson. Works like a dream. BTW, LOVE Windows 7, but keep in mind that while most older programs will run on it, you may have to buy newer versions of an occasional one - I had to buy a new version of Quickbooks Pro (a program I use, but only grudgingly because Intuit is truly a horrible company to deal with).
I was mislead by one review about successfully using this cable to connect a Mac to an HP. Does not work for me.
Nothing could be easier. My problem was as others have mentioned--a need to hook up an old laserjet with a parallel port to a new Windows 7 laptop.In my case, the printer I wanted to save is a trusty old workhorse of an HP4L Laserjet--now over 14 years old and still going strong. I bought this cable from Amazon after trying one twice as expensive from my local electronics store (that cable didn't work, BTW). The HP4L driver was located automatically and installed. The Cables to Go six foot cable is Vista compliant (think this is a key factor for use with Windows 7). The parallel connector hooks up to the printer's parallel connector and the USB end into the computer's USB port. My HP4L printed perfectly on the first try. I am a very happy camper.
This cable is great in converting a parallel port printer to a USB. Now to print on any of our computers all one has to do is just plug in the printer to a USB port and print.
Do I spend the money for a new motherboard to have a print server or what. After getting the cable out of the package and trying not to slice myself opening the package, I'm holding the cable in one hand and the instructions in the other. My XP system failed hard and after over a month of troubleshooting, the motherboard appears to be the problem. Then it hit me, the new systems did not have parallel ports and I still have a good HP LaserJet 4Plus and HP LaserJet 4L. Windows 7 was just released, my Windows XP Prof. Under a minute to connect and print.Checking my devices, it shows the printer on USB001 as a Virtual printer port for USB using the HP LaserJet 4Plus driver. Price was right too, Best Buy wanted over $30 for a USB to parallel.So much for my initial issues. Centronics connections can be touchy and my parallel cable was previously working, plus some reviews at least had success with Vista, so I went with this cable.
I plugged the end with the 25 pin connector into the printer cable and the other into a USB port, then turned on the printer, never rebooted. Then I came across the USB to parallel cables (should have thought of it sooner). desktop was getting flakey and I had to send my Windows XP laptop back to corporate.What a better time to switch to Windows 7, so I bought a Windows 7 desktop and laptop. Ah, who needs instructions. I started looking for an ethernet to parallel converter, but was skeptical since the 4Plus had an internal ethercard years ago and didn't work that well. Then the issue was, do I use the one that connects to the current printer cable or the one that goes directly to the printer centronics connector. Bingo, the laptop said it found new hardware and configured the driver for the HP LaserJet 4Plus, not a generic driver, but the right one.I open a document and printed a page first attempt. The printer was set for sharing by default, so I went to my desktop PC and the driver was already installed there as a network printer, so I printed to it and it worked.I've never had anything go this smooth and I can only speak for a Windows 7 environment, so good luck.
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