How to go from ancient laptop to new usb printer?

[Trish]

Hi-
I'm feeling very happy that I just found this forum!  

I have been trying to figure out how to attach my new printer to my old laptop- and can't.

The old laptop is from 96, and doesn't have a usb port. It is a parrellel port. The new printer is usb.

I assumed I could find a parrellel port to usb printer converter cable and cannot. I have ordered several of these, after talking on the phone with online cable stores- and received incorrect cables.

I would really love it anyone had any ideas.
Thanks!
Trish

[Sean]

You could always go to the closest Radioshack and look, they have hundred's if not thousands of adapters, cords, and everything else you could think of in the back of the store usually hanging on the shelves

[Sean]

and after looking for about 37 seconds i found this for you...a a parrallel-usb cable

[Sean]

and after looking for about 37 seconds i found this for you...a a parrallel-usb cable http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=26-184

[Trish]

Hi Sean  ,

I know I had found that thousands of times too- but it's not the right one.

What you found is:
"USB-to-Parallel Port Printer Cable" (meaning female usb to parrellel port printer. )

it's the wrong usb "end".  My new printer has the male usb port.
Believe me I have tried- even called around and still no answers. Perhaps there is another way? Seriel port to USB, or ps2 to usb?

I would love any other ideas though- there has to be a way to connect an ancient laptop to a new printer?
Thanks!
Trish

[2k dummy]

Trish, you need something like this.

[Trish]

Great! I just checked it out and I think you are right! I never thought of that. I wasn't sure if the laptop was too old or not for a card?

My only problem may be that I believe the laptop is Win 95, Pen I. Stats for this card state Win 98- I'll check it out when I get to work today. We are using this old laptop at my store just for customers to use to journal with. We are a scrapbook store- and do use a few new networked computers for our sales & accounting. My younger sister just gave me this old laptop, so I'm still unfamiliar with some aspects of it.


Thanks so much 2k dummy- I appreciate it!!!
Trish

[Computer_Commando]

Trish, you need something like this.

Unfortunately, that is a CardBus and will probably not work with a 1996 laptop.

http://www.d-link.com/products/?pid=151

[Trish]

Hi Computer_Commando,

Darn, I just checked the computer today- and it was Win 98. hmmm? I wonder if there is another way? Any ideas? Maybe that is sign that I should just either hook up an ancient printer to it- or upgrade to a new or slightly used laptop/computer?

Any tips where I could buy a slightly used computer that would be do-able?
Thanks!
Trish

[2k dummy]

Don't be fooled by the terminology. These things fit in a standard type II pcmcia slot. Windows 98 comes with the card services and work fine with them. The card might come with its own driver software but is no different than a wireless network adapter or external pcmcia modem. My IBM laptop is much older and works a treat with my wireless network adapter. Cardbus and pcmcia are the some thing - just some cards are proprietary - as I suspect they all are.

[Trish]

Hi 2k dummy,
Thank you! I am learning more and more about computers every day with my research on how to solve this problem. I appreciate your help. I will definately try it- glad to hear some great advice from great tech guys!!!

Thanks!
Trish

[Computer_Commando]

...Don't be fooled by the terminology...Cardbus and pcmcia are the some thing - just some cards are proprietary - as I suspect they all are.

Absolutely untrue!  You have no clue what you're talking about.  The PCMCIA standards are backwards compatible, not forwards compatible.  A CardBus PCMCIA device will physically fit, but it will not operate in a 16-bit or 32-bit PCMCIA.  However, a 16-bit or 32-bit PCMCIA device will fit and operate in a CardBus slot.

http://www.pcmcia.org/

[Trish]

Hi Computer_Commando,

Oh, I'm sooo bummed!   I really don't want to buy another computer for our Journaling center for our scrapbook girls. I was just hoping I could recycle this one- the girls will only need to use Word on it.
I have a super computer tech friend, and called him- but he is hard to get a hold of...and I haven't heard back. I was really hoping that researching this problem would be an education of sorts into this matter further.  
Computer_Commando, do you have any ideas? Is this idea hopeless?
Trish

[Computer_Commando]

Hi Computer_Commando,

Oh, I'm sooo bummed! ...do you have any ideas? Is this idea hopeless?

Sorry.  Didn't want you to purchase something that won't work.  I've had lots of experience with older laptops.  What is the make and model number of your laptop?

Anyway...how 'bout this...if you can't adapt the computer to the printer...adapt the printer to the computer.  You can purchase a brand new laser printer for $100.  http://www.pricegrabber.com/

[Trish]

Hi Computer_Commando,

Thanks for your help. My old laptop is on my desk at my store- so I don't have that info here. My younger sister just gave it to me- as she was getting rid of it. I will check it out when I get to work tomorrow and hop on this board then with details.

I have a super laser at home- yet it isn't portable. It's a Minolta QMS 330- arrived on a skid a few years ago.

My ink jet at the shop is a dell- that came free with my mother's computer from Dell. I would bet it's a Lexmark- surplus. However- if I can find a cheap Epson ink jet- there's a guy at a local market that is selling refills for it for $2. I know sounds crazy- but he must refill them and resell them? Otherwise ink jet cart. costs about $30 for each. Our QMS toner refills cost about $150 a color- it's really insane.

So, getting to my point- I was hoping to be able to hook up this laptop to the free ink jet that my mom gave me. In the meantime- looking for a cheap epson ink jet printer so that I can use refills from this guy. LOL! I know it all sounds crazy.

I have a scrapbook store and want to offer a computer jounaling center for them to use during classes and crops- but because I don't charge much for either- was hoping the the computer center wouldn't set me back much either.

Thanks, I'll post back tomorrow.
Trish