HP LaserJet 4m printer connected with USB adapter won't print

[Von551]

hey everyone i got a "new" printer. I'm running win7 on my new pc. i had to connect a usb adapter to the parallel connection since my new pc doesn't have that connection. the printer says ready and online and prints test pages fine. i set the port as LPT-1, but it won't print. it's set as default printer, the drivers installed automatically on win 7 when i plugged it in. i can't print anything and it just says offline in the device manager. what am i doing wrong? thanks...

 

[RebateMonger]

Why not just get a $10 PCI parallel port card for the new PC? They are simple to install and I've had no problems connecting to HP LJ4 printers. Just double-check that your chosen card supports Vista/Win7 and 64-bit if you are using that. Also, pay attention to the LPT port(s) used by the card. By default, the last card I used defaulted to LPT2 and LPT3 for its two parallel ports. That was likely resettable to LPT1 if desired.

 

[Von551]

Why not just get a $10 PCI parallel port card for the new PC? They are simple to install and I've had no problems connecting to HP LJ4 printers. Just double-check that your chosen card supports Vista/Win7 and 64-bit if you are using that. Also, pay attention to the LPT port(s) used by the card. By default, the last card I used defaulted to LTP2 and LTP3 for its two parallel ports. That was likely resettable to LTP1 if desired.

thanks i think i'll do that. found a good one for $28 on amazon...http://www.amazon.com/Startech-com-P...pr_product_top

 

[RebateMonger]

Here's some more:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...llel+port+card

 

[imagoon]

You can probably get the Laserjet 4m network card off ebay for like $5 also.

 

[gsaldivar]

I thought all HP LaserJet printers with "M" in the name included network connections. Doesn't your printer have a JetDirect card with a network jack on it?

 

[code65536]

If the printer network card idea doesn't work, you could get one of those parallel port print servers. I have one of those (no longer in use because the printer, also a HP LJ 4, died). It's about the size of a mouse, plug it into the parallel port, hook it up to the network, and use the printer the way printers are supposed to be used: over a network. These 90's era LaserJets are great, and you respect them by using them in a proper fashion (network) and not exposing them to the immoralities of USB.

 

[imagoon]

I thought all HP LaserJet printers with "M" in the name included network connections. Doesn't your printer have a JetDirect card with a network jack on it?

Your thinking "n" like 4000n 4050n etc

 

[gsaldivar]

Your thinking "n" like 4000n 4050n etc

You're right, I think M = Macintosh and indicates Postscript compatibility.

Thanks.