I have a USB printer--- can I get some kind of adapter and plug it into a parallel port in my router for sharing?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
N

niwi7

Golden Member
Feb 21, 2003
1,095
0
0
thanks

kinda confused though

my parallel port does not look like that--- maybe I have the wrong name---

its the female 1 that screws in that goes into most computers from older printers-- -couldve sworn its called parallel port--- not the kind that clips in the kind that screws

anyway there is a female "parallel " port labeled PRINTER on the back of the router and my printer plugs in with a usb plug


can u find 1 that would fit this? cause im very confused
 
M

Macro2

Diamond Member
May 20, 2000
4,874
0
0
The clips are on the printer. The end with the screws goes into the computers parallel port or in your case the router and is female on the router or computer.

So in your case the printer end should have a square USB plug and the router end should be a male with two screws built in.

Just make sure when you buy one that's what you get. You could always check compusa or Best buy or something but you'll pay more.
 
S

StraightPipe

Golden Member
Feb 5, 2003
1,676
0
71
USB lesson

there are 4 types of USB 1 connectors. Types A and B and there is a MALE and FEMALE version of both.

standard USB cable is male A(rectanglular) to male B(square).

you probly need an adapter to hook your male A USB cord into your router.
so the adapter will definately be female A on one side,
but then you need a parrallel port on the other side, most likely male to go with the female on the router.

female USB A to male parrallel
 
N

niwi7

Golden Member
Feb 21, 2003
1,095
0
0
thanks...


i was just thinking---

I think I would want the square USB port on 1 end plugging into the printer itself
and then on the other end a male parallel port which you screw in to the router



i have been searching for hours and havent found it

do they not make these? how can i go about doing this? would it be cheaper to get a new router with usb printer server capabilites?
 
MDE

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
13,199
1
81
You could just install the printer on one PC and share it over the network, would be cheaper and less aggravating.
 
B

Bonesdad

Platinum Member
Nov 18, 2002
2,213
0
76
Originally posted by: MonkeyDriveExpress
You could just install the printer on one PC and share it over the network, would be cheaper and less aggravating.
Click to expand...

 
M

Macro2

Diamond Member
May 20, 2000
4,874
0
0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by: MonkeyDriveExpress
You could just install the printer on one PC and share it over the network, would be cheaper and less aggravating."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now that you mention it...

OTOH, it may be slower and he'll have to install the print drivers on all the computers.
 
P

prosaic

Senior member
Oct 30, 2002
700
0
0
I think it's more likely that the printer performance when connected to the router's parallel port will be the slow setup. I've never seen fast printing done through a SOHO router's parallel port, especially for host-based printing. Painfully slow.

- prosaic
 
D

deadseasquirrel

Golden Member
Nov 20, 2001
1,736
0
0
You also usually lose bi-directional capabilities with the printer when it's plugged into the router (such as being able to see the ink levels and such). Might not be the case with your particular router, but I've seen it on every router I've used at home.

IIRC, using the printer sharing feature with it hooked up to 1 computer directly, you do not lose the bi-directional capabilities. But, yes, you need to install the drivers at the other machine(s) and make sure the system that has the printer attached remains on.

But it ain't any slower, it's free, and you will know when your ink levels get low.
 
Z

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
18,998
0
0
I have seen Parallel printer to USB (which is what most of the above messages point to) , but not the reverse.
.bh.

"USB-to-LAN print servers exist!" Just not right now at Newegg... ;)
 
R

rjain

Golden Member
May 1, 2003
1,475
0
0
Originally posted by: Zepper

"USB-to-LAN print servers exist!" Just not right now at Newegg... ;)
Click to expand...

Hmm, I found one.

HP JetDirect - Model#: J6038A
 
M

Mingon

Diamond Member
Apr 2, 2000
3,012
0
0
You can get a bluetooth printer cable adaptor, as long as their is a link between machines you could also use one of those - a 802.11b would be ideal - but I dont think they do one yet.
 
B

benjamit

Senior member
Dec 22, 2000
775
0
0
Originally posted by: prosaic
I think it's more likely that the printer performance when connected to the router's parallel port will be the slow setup. I've never seen fast printing done through a SOHO router's parallel port, especially for host-based printing. Painfully slow.

- prosaic
Click to expand...

not true i use a smc barricade first gen with the built in parallel print server and its fast and works well

you need to install a small app on each pc showing the os where the printer is since the printer is not on the LTP or USB ports

unfortunately the server is pc only
 
B

benjamit

Senior member
Dec 22, 2000
775
0
0
Originally posted by: Macro2
Unless there is something different about parallel ports on routers then the answer is yes. There are USB to parallel adapters just for that purpose. Try pricewatch.com
http://overture-cnet.com.com/4014-6595_9-4778227.html?part=overture-cnet&subj=PARALLEL%20TO%20USBPARALLEL+PORT+TO+USB+ADAPTER&tag=Modem+cables

Make sure this goes the right way before you buy it.

Mac
Click to expand...

these may require drivers that are dependent on the os version

i had one that was win 95 and 98 but not NT,2k or XP
 
P

prosaic

Senior member
Oct 30, 2002
700
0
0
Originally posted by: DEATH
Originally posted by: prosaic
I think it's more likely that the printer performance when connected to the router's parallel port will be the slow setup. I've never seen fast printing done through a SOHO router's parallel port, especially for host-based printing. Painfully slow.

- prosaic
Click to expand...

not true i use a smc barricade first gen with the built in parallel print server and its fast and works well

you need to install a small app on each pc showing the os where the printer is since the printer is not on the LTP or USB ports

unfortunately the server is pc only
Click to expand...

I have an SMC 7004AWBR with an HP DJ920c connected to its parallel port. I have seen dozens of these routers, and dozens of similar routers from SMC and other vendors, with printers connected to their parallel ports. All of the systems using host-based printers are slow with this sort of setup in Windows XP -- without a single exception in my experience. AFAIK there is no application to install to make it run faster. Perhaps you are using a previous version of Windows? SMC has a procedure outlined in a PDF file for setting up the SMC router with a parallel-port-connected printer. The last time I looked they had no other provision for this. If you know of a link to a better way I'd be delighted to know it.

- prosaic
 
B

benjamit

Senior member
Dec 22, 2000
775
0
0
Originally posted by: prosaic
Originally posted by: DEATH
Originally posted by: prosaic
I think it's more likely that the printer performance when connected to the router's parallel port will be the slow setup. I've never seen fast printing done through a SOHO router's parallel port, especially for host-based printing. Painfully slow.

- prosaic
Click to expand...

not true i use a smc barricade first gen with the built in parallel print server and its fast and works well

you need to install a small app on each pc showing the os where the printer is since the printer is not on the LTP or USB ports

unfortunately the server is pc only
Click to expand...

I have an SMC 7004AWBR with an HP DJ920c connected to its parallel port. I have seen dozens of these routers, and dozens of similar routers from SMC and other vendors, with printers connected to their parallel ports. All of the systems using host-based printers are slow with this sort of setup in Windows XP -- without a single exception in my experience. AFAIK there is no application to install to make it run faster. Perhaps you are using a previous version of Windows? SMC has a procedure outlined in a PDF file for setting up the SMC router with a parallel-port-connected printer. The last time I looked they had no other provision for this. If you know of a link to a better way I'd be delighted to know it.

- prosaic
Click to expand...


is this a wireless one? im using the older wired one (i have an access point for the wireless function) and xp pro no SP1 and printing is fast for me

the slowest part is the printer warming up

are you doing printing wireless? because when i print wireless through my access point it is slower

and i had to get another ethernet based parallel port print server that works with mac OS just so our macs could share the same laser printer as the pcs
 
Z

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
18,998
0
0
emjem,
. The adapter you listed is also parallel printer to usb on the computer (or print server end) - the same that lots of others have posted. The thread starter has a USB only printer to go to a parallel print server connector (DB-25 pin female). I'm not sure the common type of adapter will work in the opposite direction.
.bh.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom