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If your small business is typical, you want to get the longest lifespan possible from your tech investment, and therefore you may have an older dot-matrix or laser printer with a parallel port that you want to use with a modern computer. Since the early 2000s, USB has gradually become the standard for printer connections and therefore many modern PCs do not have parallel ports. You must use a USB-to-parallel adapter cable for older printers. Usually, installing the adapter and using it is relatively straightforward and hassle free. If you experience connection problems with the adapter, however, you can usually troubleshoot and correct the problem yourself.
Check for Loose Connections
2.Disconnect the parallel end of the cable from the printer. Push the parallel end of the cable adapter onto the parallel port of the printer. Push firmly on the cable adapter end until the connection with the port is tight and secure. Ensure that the clips for the parallel port and cable are in the locked positions.
3.
Unplug the USB end of the cable from the USB port on the computer, and then reinsert it. Push firmly, but gently, on the USB adapter until fully seated.
4.Power on the printer first, and then the computer. Allow the computer to boot into Windows, and then attempt to print a document from Microsoft Word or another application.
Troubleshooting IRQ or Other Resource Conflicts
1.Click Start and then “Computer.” In the Windows Explorer window that appears, click the “System Properties” link on the toolbar.
2.Click the “Device Manager” link under the Control Panel Home label in the System window. A new Device Manager window appears on screen.
3.Double-click the arrow next to the “Ports (COM & LPT) header in the Device Manager list. The list expands and displays the ports installed on the computer. Select the port value labeled “USB to Parallel,” “Virtual Parallel” or “USBPAR.”
4.Right-click the selected port device name, and then click “Uninstall” on the popup list. Windows deletes the virtual parallel-port adapter from the system. Close the Device Manager and System windows.
5.Restart the computer and wait for it to boot into Windows. After the computer reboots, Windows redetects the USB-to-parallel port adapter and reinstalls its driver. If the old configuration conflicted with another device or used resources not available, reinstalling the device in this manner should force Windows to choose a new IRQ and/or other applicable resources.
6.Attempt to use the printer connected to the USB-to-parallel port adapter as you normally would.
Reinstalling the Driver
1.Click 'Start | Computer | System Properties | Device Manager.' After the Device Manager window appears on the screen, click “Ports” and then select the device name of the USB-to-parallel adapter. Right-click the device name of the USB-to-parallel adapter, and then click “Properties.”
2.Click the “Driver” tab in the Properties window, and then click the “Uninstall” button. When the Confirm Device Uninstall window appears, click the “OK” button. Windows uninstalls the driver and deletes the device from the Device Manager list.
3.Insert the driver installation disc for the USB-to-parallel adapter into the optical drive the computer. Wait a few seconds for the installation or setup wizard to appear on the screen, and then click the “Install” or “Setup” button. Follow the remaining prompts to reinstall the driver in Windows. If prompted to do so, restart the computer. Attempt to print to the printer connected to the USB to parallel adapter after reinstalling the driver.
References (3)
About the Author
Jeff Grundy has been writing computer-related articles and tutorials since 1995. Since that time, Grundy has written many guides to using various applications that are published on numerous how-to and tutorial sites. Born and raised in South Georgia, Grundy holds a Master of Science degree in mathematics from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Cite this Article Choose Citation Style
Grundy, Jeff. 'How to Troubleshoot a USB-to-Parallel Cable.' Small Business - Chron.com, http://smallbusiness.chron.com/troubleshoot-usbtoparallel-cable-48144.html. Accessed 12 January 2020.
Grundy, Jeff. (n.d.). How to Troubleshoot a USB-to-Parallel Cable. Small Business - Chron.com. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/troubleshoot-usbtoparallel-cable-48144.html
Grundy, Jeff. 'How to Troubleshoot a USB-to-Parallel Cable' accessed January 12, 2020. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/troubleshoot-usbtoparallel-cable-48144.html
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Do you have an old printer, scanner or other peripheral device that can't connect directly to your new computer? Now you can, using an easy-to-use, easy-to-connect parallel-to-USB connector cable. Most newer computers do not come with parallel ports and connections anymore. They have instead resorted to USB 2.0 connections. USB offers faster and more efficient transfer speeds of up to 480 Mbps, making them ideal for computer device communication.
Step 1
Connect the parallel end of the connector cable to the parallel port on your printer, scanner or other parallel peripheral device.
Step 2
Plug the USB end of the connector cable to an open USB port on your computer, then turn on your device. Your computer will automatically detect the device as a new hardware.
Step 3
Insert the installation disc for your device into the CD-ROM drive, then follow the instructions to install your device drivers. This may vary depending on the device connected. If you do not have an installation CD, check your manufacturer's website for driver downloads.
Perform a test print, scan or function with your device to make sure that the connection is secure and the drivers are properly installed.
Tip
- There are many different companies that offer parallel-to-USB connector cables (see Resources), but all work the same way.
Items you will need
- Parallel-to-USB connector cable