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General discussion

Parallel Printer Cable to usb, xp, and the HP Laserjet 5L

by deuceduce01 Jan 19, 2008 3:14PM PST

I am attempting to hook up an HP Laserjet 5L to my desktop running XP. When I plug in the parallel cable (which came with useless software, ebay cheapy), windows installs usb printing capability, but does NOT recognize the 5L. I have tried downloading the drivers from HP, and using windows versions of both the 5L and 6L. I have also tried removing the usb printing support and reinstalling it. I am out of ideas. After reading through all of the threads on this forum and others, I am stuck.

Note: I have had newer printers hooked up to this machine that have printed via usb fine, but not with this cable.

Discussion is locked

12 Posts
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Re: parallel printers
by Kees Bakker Jan 19, 2008 5:51PM PST

You should help Windows by telling the Add printer wizaard that you want to install a printer on lpt1. Then it will ask for the drivers. It might well be those are on your XP CD, but it won't harm to point it to the drivers you downloaded from HP.

That's the way to install a parallel printer. Doesn't go automatically.

Kees

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HP LaserJet 5L, from USB, under Vista
by larrylarry24 Jan 19, 2008 11:08PM PST

I can't print to my (ancient) HP LJ 5L, which worked fine under Windows 98. Alas.

I have a USB to parallel adapter, and Vista (on a new Dell Inspiron 530) has the 5L drivers built in. I've tried adding the printer using the USB port and also via LPT1. It says it has the driver, but the printer is either "not found" or "offline" whenever I try to print to it.

I can print fine to my USB printer.

Anyone have any ideas?

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THere's a clue.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jan 20, 2008 12:19AM PST

That other USB printer could be hijacking something and mucking up the laser printer setup.

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Thanks!
by larrylarry24 Jan 22, 2008 8:47AM PST

Although disconnecting that other printer didn't work at first, subsequent re-doing of attempts to install the printer eventually led to success. Not entirely clear what made it work, but your encouragement was essential!

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HP 5L, USB to Parallel adapter, Vista, not working
by tomatocity Mar 7, 2008 4:04PM PST

I am having the same problem with my new HP m9177c Vista computer. I originally installed an Epson Stylus Photo RX500 (USB) with no problem. It has been working well. Today I recieved the adapter and I installed the HP 5L using the USB adapter and it does not print. I tried installing it to LPT1 and USB1 and neither work. any ideas are appreciated.

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And my earlier success did not last
by larrylarry24 Mar 7, 2008 9:28PM PST

Even though I got it to work for a while using LPT1, it no longer does. Now, nothing I do can get it to work. For me, time to buy a USB printer.

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The test. (not a fix...)
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Mar 7, 2008 10:22PM PST

When I used to test parallel port printers (your model included) I could go to the BIOS screen and tap the printsrn key about 3 or 4 times to get the laser to print. If that failed I knew it was one of the usual bad cable, blown port or bad printer issues.

Bob

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HP laserjet 5L apply a parallel convert to USB cable print
by Stanley-S Jan 19, 2009 1:36PM PST

HP laserjet 5L apply a parallel convert to USB cable may print out from my Laptop, but for PC need to download newer driver. Install a printer from Wizard select manually, connect port select either LPT1 or USB001, driver point to the new one you downloaded. continenous install till finish.
Then change connect port to USB001. Connect the printer cable when it detected it start to work. Little complicated but it is the only way we need to try again and again.
1-20-09

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HP laserjet 5L apply a parallel convert to USB cable print
by bobbydcnet Feb 7, 2009 11:58AM PST

Hi Stanley S., it worked for me (Laserjet 5P, USB to parallel, XP). Thanks ...

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I Didn't Check IF Your Model...
by tobeach Feb 7, 2009 2:25PM PST

is subject to this but: HP Says Time to Update Printer Firmware (laserjets):
Published: 2009-02-06,
Last Updated: 2009-02-06 14:51:35 UTC
by Adrien de Beaupre (Version: 1)

HP have released a security bulletin for certain LaserJet printers. They require firware updates. It is a directory traversal issue in the web admin interface. The vulnerability leads to unauthorized access to arbitrary files stored on the printer(s). The bulletin SSRT080166 is here. The CVE is CVE-2008-4419. Printers tend to be low on the priority list of systems or devices to be patched, this one will likely linger for years to come. The impact might not seem severe, as in the attacker can view the printer configuration, however viewing cached versions of printed documents can be.Other than patching, disallowing access to the web admin interface is likely the only other mitigation.

http://isc.sans.org/ Just a heads up!! Good Luck! Happy

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Possible solution parallel printer to USB port problems
by m555556 Feb 10, 2009 12:29PM PST

I have two old parallel printers that I don't want to give up: an HP Laser IIID and an HP Deskjet 890c. I bought a parallel (centronics) to USB adapter cable and plugged them in to the computer (Vista machine). Nothing worked. The printers didn't show up. Then I read somewhere that sometimes a parallel printer will need a powered USB hub to communicate with the PC. Bought one and that worked -- for a while. Then they inexplicably stopped working and the PC wouldn't recognize them. Bought a new hub and they started working again. Then they stopped. Recently they stopped working again. I happened to see a suggestion that I try cleaning the Centronics end of the cables with rubbing alcohol, so I did. Viola'! They work great now.
So, before you go buy any other equipment, and before you throw away your old parallel printer, try cleaning the printer end of the cable with rubbing alcohol -- it just might do the trick.
Good luck. -- Mark

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Fix a parallel port printer not printing using a USB Cable
by Marine Grunt Feb 15, 2009 12:31AM PST

To fix a parallel port printer (i.e. HP DeskJet 890C)that will not print using a USB A male to Centronics 36 male in Windows XP Follow these steps.

Remove Cables from USB Port and turn the printer OFF. Delete the printer. Now add a printer manually. When prompted for a port use a USB local Port ( yes this is wrong but this works) and when ask click on install new drivers at the prompt. You can tell it to make the printer the default printer, but do not print a test page. It should then go to the end and finish.
Next, use notepad (smaller file) with anything on the page and print. Nothing will happen. Then go to the printers and Fax choice by hitting the start button and choosing Printers and Faxes. find your printer, right click on it and chose properties.
Then chose the port tab and change the port to USB virtual printer port. Then hit OK. Now print a test page with notepad.

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