question about printer cables

[eshtog]

I see on newegg they have a IEEE 1284 printer cable are there any other standards? my cousin has a old printer that he needs to hook up to his new pc.

 

[bozo1]

You really only need an IEEE-1284 cable if you configure your computers parallel port for ECP operation which is only needed when you have a device that would make use of the extra speed like a parallel attached ROM drive or a scanner. For a printer, you are going to be limited by the speed of the printer which is much slower than ECP. Many people find that standard printer cables often work fine without spending an arm and leg on a supposedly 'ceritified' cable, even when run at ECP speeds.

 

[Bovinicus]

If it is an old printer than that certified cable will do him no good. As the previous poster said, the printer itself is the limiting factor.

 

[Viper GTS]

Not necessarily true, many printers are designed for use with IEEE-1284 compliant cables.

Yes, the print engine is usually the limiting factor by far, but different printers / driver combinations require different levels of communication between the printer & system.

I can't tell you how many calls I get where people say "But this cable worked fine with my old printer!" I don't care, please try another cable. Whadda ya know, it works.

The difference in cost is quite minimal, you might as well get the IEEE-1284 cable & hang onto it for future use.

Viper GTS

 

[eshtog]

its a very old printer that my friend used on a mac is has some kind of round serial connector but it also has a 1EEE-1284 cable I think its a canon

 

[crazychicken]

ya dude, they are only like 10 bucks, just get an IEEE one