Hello fellow computer users. I hope you can help me.
I have an old (5-7yrs) Epson dot matrix printer (Model LQ-570+) that I am currently using with an old PC running Windows 95 that I would like to now use with my new HP Pavillion (a6257c) desktop which is running Vista. The printer is in perfectly good working order and I need it for a particular application - printing duplicate forms - so I would very much like to make this conversion.
One obvious problem is hardware related: the printer is currently connected to the parallel output of the old computer - the new HP computer did not come with a parallel interface card. The other problem would be software related: I suppose that I will also need a new driver (if one exists) for the printer which runs under Vista.
One possible solution is to try to connect to the printer via one of these USB-to-Parallel adapter cables that are on the market and then try to find a driver that might be compatible with this arrangement. Another possible solution is to purchase a parallel interface card for the HP computer (assuming they exist) and then finding a driver to that would work in this configuration. What are your thoughts on these two options?
Another solution would be to buy a new dot matrix printer that has a USB interface and has drivers that are Vista compatible. This would obviously be the most expensive solution so I would like to avoid this if possible. Do you think I might have to do this?
What I am wondering is if anyone out there has been faced with the same or similar type problem and what they did to solve the problem. Or perhaps if someone is knowledgeable of Epson products, their interfaces and their compatibility with the Vista OS. Or perhaps you could refer me to another source who might be able to answer my questions.
Thanks much, Al