Connecting parallel printer to laptop?!

pezza2u · 02-03-2006, 12:25 PM

I've just bought meself a dell inspiron 6000 which doesn't have a parallel port.

I have a HP deskjet which has a USB connection so I'm ok for a printer at the moment but I also have a HP laserjet 5 which is parallel only. I have bought a network card for this printer and my question is can I connect it to the laptop using an RJ45 cable to print? How can I set this up?

If not is there any hardware I can buy that will allow me to connect both printers to the laptop like a hub? Or I was thinking of building a small desktop PC to use as a server but it's only for home use so I don't think this is worth it. And please don't say get a newer laserjet printer!!

Cheers

lee101 · 02-03-2006, 12:42 PM

if it has an ethernet port you should be able to just plug the printer in to your laptop then run the software that came with it [printer]

LaptopExtreme · 02-03-2006, 05:08 PM

Well I dont know if you can do that (maybe with a crossover cable), but when a unit comes with a ethernet port, it usually means that it can be hooked up to the network. If youve got a router and multiple computers, you all can connect to the printer through the network. Another option is to get a USB to Parellel converter (something like this).

tractorboy · 02-03-2006, 10:07 PM

you will need a jetdirect card for the laserjet, it is a pain to configure, you have to set the ip address and other stuff through the control panel on the printer. I have seen parallel to usb
you could get something like this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812107958

02-03-2006, 12:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
pezza2u New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 2	Connecting parallel printer to laptop?! I've just bought meself a dell inspiron 6000 which doesn't have a parallel port. I have a HP deskjet which has a USB connection so I'm ok for a printer at the moment but I also have a HP laserjet 5 which is parallel only. I have bought a network card for this printer and my question is can I connect it to the laptop using an RJ45 cable to print? How can I set this up? If not is there any hardware I can buy that will allow me to connect both printers to the laptop like a hub? Or I was thinking of building a small desktop PC to use as a server but it's only for home use so I don't think this is worth it. And please don't say get a newer laserjet printer!! Cheers

02-03-2006, 12:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
lee101 VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Age: 17 Posts: 1,150	if it has an ethernet port you should be able to just plug the printer in to your laptop then run the software that came with it [printer] __________________ My PC: Core2Duo E6300 @ 1.86 Ghz, Asus P5v-VM DH , 200 GB Maxtor SATA ,2GB (21GB Kingston DDRII), Radeon x1650 Graphics (256 mb), 2 Acer 17 inch TFT's, Windows Vista Home Premium Server: AMD Athlon XP 2800+ 256 Mb Ram, 8Gb IDE for o/s, 2 * 250GB SATAII for storage, Ubuntu Server 7.10

02-03-2006, 10:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
tractorboy Gold Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 253	you will need a jetdirect card for the laserjet, it is a pain to configure, you have to set the ip address and other stuff through the control panel on the printer. I have seen parallel to usb you could get something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812107958 __________________ Win XP Prof Win 2003 --------------- A+ MCP NASDA CERT SCUBA Diver >>PCs underwater ?

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02-03-2006, 05:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
LaptopExtreme VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 880	Well I dont know if you can do that (maybe with a crossover cable), but when a unit comes with a ethernet port, it usually means that it can be hooked up to the network. If youve got a router and multiple computers, you all can connect to the printer through the network. Another option is to get a USB to Parellel converter (something like this).