Parallel Printer Connection Suggestions

On Nov 20, 2007, at 6:32 AM, Hallenius, Kenneth wrote:

> A friend recently upgraded from Windows to a 24" iMac, and he wants to
> know how to connect his HP-4050 laser printer to his Mac. Of course,
> the
> printer only has a parallel interface installed. I suggested that he
> might try to find a parallel-to-ethernet adapter, and this one comes
> up
> from Netgear:
>
> <http://www.netgear.com/Products/PrintServers/WiredPrintServers/PS101.as
> px?detail=System+Requirements>
>
> Does anyone have any experience with said device, or perhaps a
> different/better solution that I can offer him?

I have a similar device, a Hawking PN7127P, that I put on my now
ancient HP 4MP printer when I set up Ethernet. It's been several
years, so I don't remember the details, but I don't think I had any
problems getting it working. The label on the side says "10/100M
Internet Print Server". It's working fine under Leopard.

Bob Pyle

Hallenius, Kenneth wrote:
> A friend recently upgraded from Windows to a 24" iMac, and he wants to
> know how to connect his HP-4050 laser printer to his Mac. Of course, the
> printer only has a parallel interface installed. I suggested that he
> might try to find a parallel-to-ethernet adapter, and this one comes up
> from Netgear:
>
> <http://www.netgear.com/Products/PrintServers/WiredPrintServers/PS101.as
> px?detail=System+Requirements>
>
> Does anyone have any experience with said device, or perhaps a
> different/better solution that I can offer him?
>
>


We've used HP products that offer the same functionality. No complaints.
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF02a/18972-18972-236253.html?jumpid=re_R295_prodexp/busproducts/printing/network-print-servers

They are pricier though.

Google "parallel to usb". You will get many results for converter
cables made specifically for printers. Seems like the least expensive
solution.

Dmitri Borovoy

On Nov 20, 2007, at 6:32, Hallenius, Kenneth wrote:

> Does anyone have any experience with said device, or perhaps a
> different/better solution that I can offer him?

I would recommend getting the HP network adapter that goes into the
printer. I have a LaserJet 4050tn on my home network and love it. A
quick Google search found the following:

    http://www.nextag.com/hp-printer-4050-network-card/search-html

Good luck,
Alfred

--On November 20, 2007 3:32:22 AM -0800 "Hallenius, Kenneth"
<halleniuup.edu> wrote:

> A friend recently upgraded from Windows to a 24" iMac, and he wants to
> know how to connect his HP-4050 laser printer to his Mac.

If he still has the windows box, he can share it from the windows box and
connect to it from the mac. I found these instructions online:

<http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20021017064855619>

Although the netgear lists for $70, that might be a better way to go anyway.

>> A friend recently upgraded from Windows to a 24" iMac, and he wants to
>> know how to connect his HP-4050 laser printer to his Mac. Of course,
>> the
>> printer only has a parallel interface installed. I suggested that he
>> might try to find a parallel-to-ethernet adapter, and this one comes
>> up
>> from Netgear:
>>
>> <http://www.netgear.com/Products/PrintServers/WiredPrintServers/PS101.as
>> px?detail=System+Requirements>
>>
>> Does anyone have any experience with said device, or perhaps a
>> different/better solution that I can offer him?
>
> I have a similar device, a Hawking PN7127P, that I put on my now
> ancient HP 4MP printer when I set up Ethernet. It's been several
> years, so I don't remember the details, but I don't think I had any
> problems getting it working. The label on the side says "10/100M
> Internet Print Server". It's working fine under Leopard.

Cyberguys... cyberguys.com ...sells a USB-to-Centronics cable that works
with older parallel-only printers. One must make sure the correct
printer driver is in use, and it works without problems. I use my
current Mac models with an old HP LJ5 without any issues.

Bob Perrey

I have had success using a parallel to USB cable. I have two cables
and they both work.

> how to connect his HP-4050 laser printer to his Mac. Of course, the
> printer only has a parallel interface installed.

Michael Logue