Comments on: How to Connect a Parallel HP Printer to a USB Only Computer

By: Printer Whisperer

Printer Whisperer — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:37:27 +0000

Simplest way is to purchase a USB to parallel cable and “share” the printer on your network so another computer can print to that printer. See my other article about setting up wireless printing on this site for more information.

By: Printer Whisperer

Printer Whisperer — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:31:13 +0000

I admit that I have not seen that issue before. Is your wife using Windows 7 64-bit? If so, I’d try a driver for a different (but similar) model and see if that helps.

By: Bill Adams

Bill Adams — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:20:38 +0000

I bought an HP Pavilion laptop for my wife to replace her old desktop system. She has had for many years an HP Laserjet 4000 printer. I got her a USB to Centronics adapter, and everything seemed to install fine. It will print to the printer, but when she selects multiple copies, only a single copy is printed. Has anyone had this problem or seen a workaround for it?

By: Marios

Marios — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:32:45 +0000

I would like to connect an HP laserjet 5M to my Dell and/or HP laptop. Can I follow the same steps with this cable system?
Also someone also recommended a jetdirect card if I want to be able to print from 2 computers. I’d like to keep this as simple as possible. Thank you in advance for youe assistance.

Happy Holidays!

By: Mohamed Rameez

Mohamed Rameez — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 11:07:17 +0000

i want to the windows 7 prinder USB type cable
for purpose textile useage. Gust reply pls cable price & how installe tha computer.

By: Printer Whisperer

Printer Whisperer — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 04:40:45 +0000

Yes, Vista should be nearly identical to Windows 7 in terms of the steps in the article. Also, USB ports are identical in terms of printer usage.

By: Khalid

Khalid — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:18:34 +0000

Your ref to Windows 7 against my Vista OS equally valid?
Just a thought: are all 3 USB port in my Pavilion laptop identical? If not, could this be a factor too? Thanks.

By: Printer Whisperer

Printer Whisperer — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 23:58:58 +0000

It’s most likely a software issue because you’re using Windows 7 64-bit and that operating system is notorious for bad printer drivers.

By: Khalid

Khalid — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:53:22 +0000

My kit comprises a DeskJet 610C with a Pavilion dv5 notebeook with Vista 64-bit OS – both HP.I am located outside the US. On HP’s advice I had acquired a Parallel-to-USB cable locally and installed the printer following your advice for XP and Win7 OS’s. The connection works, but the printer prints only a couple of lines of “gibberish”, and repeats same on 3 or 4 further pages without stopping. Thereafter it picks and spews 5 or 6 blank sheets before coming to rest.Two re-installs made no difference. On another laptop,Compaq Armada 1750 with XP Pro OS, I installed printer with a parallel only cable.Works normally. Tried the Parallel/USB cable on the XP Armada, but resuts same as for the Vista notebook. I am unable to acquire your specified cable in my area.However, would you consider this to be a software problem or just an incorrect cable?
Your valued opinion will be deeply appreciated. Thanks.

By: Printer Whisperer

Printer Whisperer — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 15:06:02 +0000

No, this will not work for Macintosh because OS X does not have built in drivers for HP printers that we originally manufactured for Windows-based machines. Best bet is connecting a JetDirect card to supported printers and using a network connect to print to those printers.