Serial Printer cable query

hamsterboy

Hi All
My sister has a very old printer that uses an old style serial cable.
Is it possible to get a converter so it will work using a standard usb port? And if so where could I obtain such a wondrous device
Here are some pic of the cable

Computer connection


Printer connection


I'm no expert on such things.......

Cheers

HB

RoadKillTs

You need one of these bad boys

Gone Drinking

Printers are so cheap these days, you'd probably be better off buying a new one.

Biggins

RoadKillTs wrote: »

You need one of these bad boys

Yep, the likes of your nearest Maplin store will sort you out no problem.

Example: http://www.ratemyarea.com/places/maplin-13572
or
http://www.galway.net/galwayguide/showyp.shtml?id=3227

niallb

Gone Drinking wrote: »

Printers are so cheap these days, you'd probably be better off buying a new one.

Most printers with serial connections still in use have a really good reason for it.
A lot of them use special paper on preprinted forms and punch multiple copies with carbon paper.
They can handle a box of paper sat behind them and print straight out of the box,
and used to come with special soundproof tents so that civilisation could continue in
the same building while they printed.

However, if this is just reusing an old printer without such features,
buying a new one might work out pretty well!

BaconZombie

But the picture the OP posts it a Parallel cable not a serial so it probably a standard printer.

niallb wrote: »

Most printers with serial connections still in use have a really good reason for it.
A lot of them use special paper on preprinted forms and punch multiple copies with carbon paper.
They can handle a box of paper sat behind them and print straight out of the box,
and used to come with special soundproof tents so that civilisation could continue in
the same building while they printed.

However, if this is just reusing an old printer without such features,
buying a new one might work out pretty well!

hamsterboy

Cheers for everything guys.
I will pick up one of those adaptors for her.
I know printers are real cheap right now but she just needs to print out some simple documents every now and then. A new printer would be overkill.
Besides.......it's the recession stupid

HB

MunsterCycling

This is what you are looking for btw, while the first cable will work its not pretty.

http://cgi.ebay.ie/USB-to-Parallel-36-Pin-Centronics-Printer-Adapter-Cable_W0QQitemZ230387949993QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL?hash=item35a43121a9

hamsterboy

Hi Guys,
I dont think the cables posted above are the right kind.
The connection to the printer looks like this

The ones posted above seem to have a blue section that isnt on the original

Any help would be great

HB

hamsterboy

Bump?

MunsterCycling

That's just a centronics (normal) connector, used the world over before USB

hamsterboy

So will the suggested cables work?

MunsterCycling

Yup its the exact same connection, just a different dielectric in the centre which matters not.

What is the model number of the printer so we can be sure?

MC

hamsterboy

Hi Guys
The printer cable has arrived and my sister is now bombarding me with messages.
She can't add the printer properly.
She ran the driver software but it still doesn't connect.
The printer is a HP Deskjet 320.
Shes running Vista. Surely even Vista should connect to the printer.
Unfortunately I'm at the other side of the country from it
Anyone got any ideas bout whats going on??

Cheers

HB

mordeith

Try here. About halfway down there is a solution that worked for someone else. Might do the trick for your sister as well.

hamsterboy

mordeith wrote: »

Try here. About halfway down there is a solution that worked for someone else. Might do the trick for your sister as well.

Cheers mordeith, but we already performed these steps

Cheers anyway

HB

Whiskey Devil

Do you have Vista drivers for a Deskjet 320? I very much doubt they've been released to be honest.. Be careful if you're buying a new printer!! Lots of junk on the market at the moment.