LPT1 printer connection

[Valkerie]

why does LPT1 printer take up so much system memory.

so I want to make sure my next printer has a USB 2.0 connection? why or why not, if USB can transfer upto 480mbps.

everytime I print something and play starcraft, I'm totally laggin' the game and everyone else. I hate it.

all my resources are pretty much free, 768mb RAM, 2.4 GHz CPU, clean OS environment, I tink LPT just sucks, personally.

anyone try networking to printer for faster results?

 

[Peter]

Not all "USB 2.0" connections are 480 Mb/s "High Speed". USB 2.0 standard still includes the old speeds of 12 "Full Speed" and 1.5 Mbit/s "Low Speed". Most desktop printers are USB 2.0 compliant "Full Speed" devices. If you want High Speed, look for the "High Speed" version of the USB logo.

Legacy LPT isn't causing lag because it's slower than USB in its data throughput (it's not, at least not when you're using ECP mode). It's because the LPT port logic is attached to the remains of the ISA bus. Shoveling data out there is hogging too much system bus bandwidth.

 

[tcsenter]

Belkin USB > IEEE-1284 adapter

Port Authority USB > IEEE-1284 adapter

Hawking USB > IEEE-1284 adapter

 

[Mday]

Originally posted by: Valkerie
why does LPT1 printer take up so much system memory.

so I want to make sure my next printer has a USB 2.0 connection? why or why not, if USB can transfer upto 480mbps.

everytime I print something and play starcraft, I'm totally laggin' the game and everyone else. I hate it.

all my resources are pretty much free, 768mb RAM, 2.4 GHz CPU, clean OS environment, I tink LPT just sucks, personally.

anyone try networking to printer for faster results?

The amount of memory that the printer port takes is irrelevant to how fast it can print. Normal printers are not THAT FAST anyway. Besides, how much memory do you think your printer has?

Also, the printing by cheap printers is negotiated by the host computer, where by the printer only prints. With more expensive printers, you send data to the printer, and the printer's onboard processor handles the rest (given an appropriately large memory\storage space installed in the printer). It has nothing to do with how the printer is connected to the computer (parallel port vs usb). Sometimes you wonder why an office printer can cost $800 when it's not that much faster than some $200 printer... well now you know why.

 

[Valkerie]

so my problem is the printer? what kind of printer would still use a printer port and be much faster, not lagging my main computer?

 

[xgsound]

I think your overall observation is correct. The LPT1 ports seem to work slower and slow the computer on newer printers that even have LPT1.

Since win98 with my machines this has been true. The HP895 was the last printer I had that worked well on LPT without slowing the machine down, but with XP USB was required.

My printers (HP895 Canon I750 and I850) work fine with USB , but they all were slower on LPT. I assume that the Manufacturers never optimized LPT drivers for XP and never will.

With printers like the IP3000 for $60 and the IP4000 for $100 get a new one if you have to, but go to USB with XP.


Jim