Run old parallel printer on Windows 7

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onetapu

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#116001 15-Apr-2013 10:39

I read on a forum that someone is successfully running a BJC80 Canon printer (an old printer which only has a parallel port) to a Windows 7 laptop, using a USB to C36 IEEE-1284 parallel adapter cable. I would have to buy a cable (which I don't have) to try, but am wondering how I would load the drivers as there are no drivers available for Windows 7. According to the forum, the drivers loaded automatically once the printer was connected to the laptop.

They also stated they turned off the bidirectional on the ports tab to speed printing up.

To those who will say just buy another printer, we already have 4 printers but this Canon is a particularly handy portable one and still works great.

Is it worth a try?

Zeon

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#799479 15-Apr-2013 10:55

You can almost certainly get it working with enough effort but it may not be worth the hassle.

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onetapu

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#799489 15-Apr-2013 10:57

What do you mean by "with enough effort"?

Zeon

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#799576 15-Apr-2013 12:20

As in it might not be plug and play but you can find some obscure drivers online which need some other changes which you then need to research etc. I have wasted so much time getting old sh!t to work its just not worth it.

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freitasm

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#799577 15-Apr-2013 12:26

When you can buy laser printers for under $80 and some inkjet for less than the price of replacement ink cartridges, it makes no sense investing in adapters to plug old printers...

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onetapu

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#799582 15-Apr-2013 12:34

Yes I know and as I say we have 4 or 5 printers but this is a little tiny portable Canon which isn't that cheap to replace. But I take the point, thanks.

networkn

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#799583 15-Apr-2013 12:39

As I understand it you could just get a USB > Parallel port converter and you should be away laughing if the drivers are built into W7.

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nunz

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#799586 15-Apr-2013 12:48

dlink have a parllel to network interface switch. Plug the parrelel into the switch, plug a nic into the other part of the siwtch and away you go - the parellel version of the dlink switch is quite stable (compared to the usb version).

As for drivers - most older printers emulate something. Try the driver for fx82, HP Laser Jet 4 or something similar. you may be surprised.

onetapu

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#799623 15-Apr-2013 13:19

Havent heard of a parallel to network interface switch but will google to find out! What is a "nic"?

nunz

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#800075 16-Apr-2013 10:41

NIC = Network Interface Card, a network card.

Two options at Dove electronics. If you cant buy from them direct give me a call and I'll source them for you.

http://www.dove.co.nz/products/networking-and-adsl/network-wireless-and-bluetooth/6095
http://www.dove.co.nz/products/networking-and-adsl/network-switches/3098

I've used the DP-301P+ successfully, cant vouch for the other.

Pricing:
DP-301P+ $74 - $130 plus GST depending on who sells it.
DPR-1061 - $95-200 plus GSt depending on who sells it.

HTH

Shane

PS - Just saw the spelling etc on the previous post - oops. All I can say is I had the flu :)