I've got an excellent condition and little used HP LaserJet 6L printer that
only has a parallel cable output-- but my new computer doesn't have a
parallel port-- just USB.
So I got a parallel/Centronics to USB adaptor cable-- but the computer
doesn't recognize it and I can't find a driver that will work. The HP
website is no help.
It's not cost effective to set up a wireless print network. So-- any
suggestions? I'd hate to have to go out and buy a new printer to replace a
perfectly good one...
"Charlie Allnut" <null@null> wrote in message
news:HIWdnXx3a9EyttPbnZ2dnUVZ_tKjnZ2d@comcast.com
> I've got an excellent condition and little used HP
> LaserJet 6L printer that only has a parallel cable
> output-- but my new computer doesn't have a parallel
> port-- just USB.
> So I got a parallel/Centronics to USB adaptor cable-- but
> the computer doesn't recognize it and I can't find a
> driver that will work. The HP website is no help.
>
> It's not cost effective to set up a wireless print
> network. So-- any suggestions? I'd hate to have to go out
> and buy a new printer to replace a perfectly good one...
Do you have a network router..? Get an Ethernet print server with a
parallel port.
"Charlie Allnut" <null@null> wrote:
>I've got an excellent condition and little used HP LaserJet 6L printer that
>only has a parallel cable output-- but my new computer doesn't have a
>parallel port-- just USB.
>
>So I got a parallel/Centronics to USB adaptor cable-- but the computer
>doesn't recognize it and I can't find a driver that will work. The HP
>website is no help.
>
>It's not cost effective to set up a wireless print network. So-- any
>suggestions? I'd hate to have to go out and buy a new printer to replace a
>perfectly good one...
Some of these devices work and some don't with specific printer models. HP will
not have any information because they don't support these adapters.
The only way to be sure is to find an adapter that specifically states that it
supports the 6L.
Tony
MS MVP Printing/Imaging
Charlie Allnut <null@null> wrote:
> I've got an excellent condition and little used HP LaserJet 6L printer that
> only has a parallel cable output-- but my new computer doesn't have a
> parallel port-- just USB.
>
> So I got a parallel/Centronics to USB adaptor cable-- but the computer
> doesn't recognize it and I can't find a driver that will work. The HP
> website is no help.
>
> It's not cost effective to set up a wireless print network. So-- any
> suggestions? I'd hate to have to go out and buy a new printer to replace a
> perfectly good one...
Options:
Return the USB-to-parallel adapter and try a different brand.
Install a parallel port card like the Lava brand.
A parallel print server should work, but involves the complications of a
network.
I'd check the 6L for the multiple page feed problem before spending much
money on it.
"Charlie Allnut" <null@null> wrote in message
news:HIWdnXx3a9EyttPbnZ2dnUVZ_tKjnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> I've got an excellent condition and little used HP LaserJet 6L printer
> that only has a parallel cable output-- but my new computer doesn't have a
> parallel port-- just USB.
>
> So I got a parallel/Centronics to USB adaptor cable-- but the computer
> doesn't recognize it and I can't find a driver that will work. The HP
> website is no help.
>
> It's not cost effective to set up a wireless print network. So-- any
> suggestions? I'd hate to have to go out and buy a new printer to replace a
> perfectly good one...
On May 19, 6:41 am, "Charlie Allnut" <null@null> wrote:
> I've got an excellent condition and little used HP LaserJet 6L printer that
> only has a parallel cable output-- but my new computer doesn't have a
> parallel port-- just USB.
If this is a desktop and not a laptop, best solution is to install a
parallel port in it.
Check your motherboard docs, there's a chance there is a socket on the
mobo that you can plug in a cable to a parallel port connector (cost
$1-2). You'd probably have to activate it in the BIOS.
If it's really "legacy free", get a PCI parallel port card, a generic
one may be less than $10. These are more reliable than USB/parallel
cables.
But before all that, use the test print function on the laser to check
the paper feed. The 6L was renowned for jamming. There are repair kits
if you need.
"Charlie Allnut" <null@null> wrote in
news:HIWdnXx3a9EyttPbnZ2dnUVZ_tKjnZ2d@comcast.com:
> So I got a parallel/Centronics to USB adaptor cable-- but the computer
> doesn't recognize it and I can't find a driver that will work. The HP
> website is no help.
You need to find a driver for the USB-Centronics adapter.
Either let Windows search for a driver, or find the USB VID/PID of the
device and search the web for those.
Parallel printer to USB Computer Port 
Linear Mode
