older printer with centronics connector

[JCROCCO]

I have an older xerox printer (XD100). It has a centronix connector for an LPT cable. My machine does not have an LPT port. I found a Centronics to USB adapter cable, and tried that but the installation failed.

Would it be better to install a 1X LPT PCI add on card and just use an LPT cable with a centronix connector on the other end to the printer?

I dont know if the cable adapter is causing the problems.

Any help or info would be appreciated.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: JCROCCO
Would it be better to install a 1X LPT PCI add on card and just use an LPT cable with a centronix connector on the other end to the printer?0

That would be my recommendation. Converters sometimes have trouble with timing issues.

 

[Zepper]

I'd get a multiport card with one or two Parallel and one or two serial (RS-232) ports (if your mobo lacks those as well) rather than just a single port card as often they don't cost much more and you can disable the ports you aren't using. Port cards almost always provide better functionality than the converter cables.
. Finding drivers for Parallel printers for use with XP or Vista may be iffy. Here's hoping your printer can work with generic Epson or Okidata drivers that usually come with the OS. Have you checked the FAQs on Xerox's site? All this may be wasted effort if there is no driver support. You have to get the port(s) installed into Win (shows up in Device Manager) before attempting to install the drivers.

. Appears to be drivers for Win 3.x forward to XP - nothing for Vista now or in the future.... Read the driver installation instructions on the Xerox site.

I can't imagine futzing around with an ancient Xerox when a modern Samsung or Brother (both use the same engine) can be had so cheaply. Supplies may be significantly more expensive (and/or unavailable for much longer) for the Xerox.

.bh.

 

[JCROCCO]

Well, its a xerox and has worked well, is a laserjet, and worked on my other computer running Xp but with a LPT port. The website does have a driver for XP, which I D/L'd.

The problem is, I used the adapter for a USB, and the printer specifically states the printer should be off and unplugged when installing. I couldnt install it becuse it couldnt autodetect it and manually the port did not show up in XP until I autodetected it.

With using an LPT port, I can manually pick the LPT1 port and set it up, then tur it on.

Thanks.

 

[Zepper]

The Samsung/Brother can be had in either laser or inkjet, as I know the Xerox is laser from when I looked it up on their site. The computer end of parallel cable is normally a 25-pin, male D-sub connector. Card will have 25-pin female.

.bh.

 

[JCROCCO]

Yes, DB25M / CN36M cable A+B. Thanks, hopefully the card works.

 

[Rottie]

is centronica connector same thing as parallel connector? if so it should work fine with usb cable I had old HP deskject 4L with usb cable it worked fine for me.