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General discussion

Connecting USB peripherals to Parallel Port

Feb 11, 2005 10:15PM PST

What kind of adapters are available that will allow me to use a USB multifunction printer/fax/scanner on an old laptop that only has a parallel port? Is this kind of thing widely available, and are they expensive?

Discussion is locked

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How about a PCMCIA (PC Card)....
Feb 11, 2005 10:57PM PST

to USB adapter for the laptop?

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Toast. Here's what I found.
Feb 11, 2005 11:40PM PST

1. There are NO parallel to USB adapters. The reverse can be found (USB to Parallel.)

2. I have yet to find a PCMCIA USB 1.1 or 2.0 card. It matters!!! Here's why.

Most older laptops without the USB 1.1 port will have the older ->PCMCIA <- card slots and USB cards are now PC-Card which do not function in the older slot.

Links about USB 2.0 cards to show the CARDBUS issue!
-> http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=search&ci=8412&Q=&O=NavBar
None were PCMCIA, but are CARDBUS!

-> http://www.usbman.com/oldforum/forum8/messages/689.html laments there are none.

Bob

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Thanks
Feb 12, 2005 4:06AM PST

So, it seems that I'm dead in the water.

Well, I'm glad I didn't go ahead and buy that multifunction unit that the seemingly trustworthy Staples salesman insisted I could easily hook up to my girlfriend's old laptop just by purchasing a "$10 adapter from Comp USA"...

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Not entirely.
Feb 12, 2005 4:40AM PST

If you have shared the make/model number of the laptop I could have double checked what PCMCIA it had. But as it stands I had to take it from experience that such without any USB has usually had PCMCIA and not PC-Card.

The Forum Tip is there to help people help you. Please use it.

Bob

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Thanks
Feb 13, 2005 1:15AM PST

I'm not very savvy about this site, so I'm not sure what the 'Forum Tip' is that you're referring to, but the laptop is a Toshiba Satellite Pro 430CDT, running Windows 98. I'd have included that info before, but I wasn't near the laptop at the time and didn't realize that you had specific info available about specific models. Thanks.

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It's 16 bit PCMCIA. and...
Feb 13, 2005 3:53AM PST

If you are not seeing the Tip "If you are asking for help to troubleshoot a computer-related problem, please be sure to include all the necessary information (ie: operating system, model number, hardware, software, etc) that will help others identify your problem for a speedy resolution."

If you are not seeing this right above the Subject title when you make a reply, please post that it's broken in the Forum Feedback Forum. It can explain why so many don't follow the tip's directions.

-> I looked up your 430 laptop specs and it's just PCMCIA. No PC-Card will work in that.

Bob

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Oh well...
Feb 14, 2005 2:43AM PST

Ok, thanks for looking.