Chris Wilson Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 I have an old parallel port HP Laser Jet 4000N printer that I want to move into a cupboard some way from the PC, I don't have any long parallel port cables. Can they run off a USB port with some sort of adaptor, as the USB cables are cheap, I have some, and they are a lot thinner? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branners Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 Hi Chris, the N on the end of 4000N usually means it has a network port on it. You may be able to run a network cable to it from your router and have it shared on the network for any of your computers to print to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=parallel+port+to+usb&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=7581423129&ref=pd_sl_92r5zsb4pp_e ^^ Any of these should be OK. If the cable isn't long enough, you can get USB extension cables (with a full-size USB plug at each end, one female, one male). I would try Branners' suggestion first though, as that would be ideal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted October 2, 2011 Author Share Posted October 2, 2011 A network cable sounds ideal. Do I just plug one into the router and it will "see i2", or do I need to set up arcane protocols that I'll probably make a hash of? Oh, and does the cable need a twist? I know some are pin to pin, and some have pins transposed. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MONKEYmark Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 you would just need a straight network cable as the X over cables are for linking computer to computer with no network. can get loads of cheap cables at car boot sales for 50p i bought a 10 meter straight network cable for 20p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branners Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 There are quite a few variables when getting it on the network. If you have a router that connects your PC to the internet and it has a spare network port on the back (most have 4 ports) you can plug a CAT5 cable in to that and it will get an IP address (probably 192.168.0.x). You then just set up your computer to print to that by creating a new TCPIP port with that IP address and it can then print to it. If you dont have that router and it is just your computer and the printer then you can run a crossover cable between your PC and the printer and assign it an IP from the printer config screen. It is not as simple as a USB cable which really is just plug and go, so you may need a friendly local geek to help out. Usually around 10 minutes work to make it work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supra Size Me Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 Slightly on the pricier side but you could always get one of these .. http://www.maplin.co.uk/usb-to-printer-cable-98711 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konrad Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 Slightly on the pricier side but you could always get one of these .. http://www.maplin.co.uk/usb-to-printer-cable-98711 Why if you can get them for around 3 pounds? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2M-USB-Parallel-36Pin-Centronics-Printer-Cable-Lead-/280523582710?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item4150822cf6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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