Connect an old parallel HP LaserJet 6P printer to MacBook Pros (MacOS X 10.5.8 and 10.8.2)?

On 10/23/2012 6:40 AM PT, Ant typed:

You can get a parallel to ethernet printer server on Amazon for about
37USD. I've used USB versions in the past with good results.

Which ones did you used? Do they all require power AC outlets since my
client is running low on power outlets even with multiple power strips.
Heh. Or is running off a powered USB ports enough?

Also, is there a wireless service type? This old printer is far away
from the router and switch.
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In article ,
Ant wrote:

On 10/22/2012 11:14 PM PT, Paul Sture typed:

I looked into this same situation for a client a few years ago (for a
LaserJet 5P from memory). You can get an ethernet add-on (or at least used
to be able to) from HP that plus inside the printer, but it's damn
expensive. You could also probably find a third-party Parallel-USB or
Parallel-Ethernet adaptor, but again it's not likely to be cheap. Either
way, as you mention, you may also have issues with not having a proper
printer driver. As Lewis says, it's simply cheaper and easier to just buy
a new printer.

The HP printer network cards are shockingly expensive.

Like how much? I can tell my client to make him buy a new USB laser
printer. Heh heh!

I can see plenty on ebay, but when I was looking a few years ago, the
proper HP JetDirect card for my printer was 250-300 USD (estimate
because exchange rates have changed - it was certainly a sticker shock
price for me).



A parallel port to ethernet adaptor, known as a "Print Server" is much
cheaper.

Here's one example:

http://www.trendnet.com/products/pro...rod=220_TE100-
P1P

Interesting. Is there a wireless version since the router/switch is far
away from the old printer? What about Infrared?

http://compnetworking.about.com/od/wireless/ss/wirelessgear_4.htm

but the example there is only for USB printers.

I suggest you Google (Or Bing or whatever) for

"wireless print server" and see what you get.

--
Paul Sture

In article ,
Lewis wrote:

In message
Mark Storkamp wrote:
In article ,
Lewis wrote:

In message
Ant wrote:
Hello.

My client would like to know if it is possible to connect his very old
parallel HP LaserJet 6P printer to his MacBook Pros since inkjet
printers' inks are expensive compared to old reliable and cheaper laser.
I assume it would require an USB+parallel adapter to physically connect.

It would be cheaper to buy a decent laser printer, and you'd get a
scanner and duplex and faxing spit in the bargin. Oh, and it would be
faster.

I recommend Brother. I think my MFC was under $200.

You can get a parallel to ethernet printer server on Amazon for about
37USD.

For an HP printer? The last time I tried to get an ethernet thingy for
an HP printer is was well over $150, and I think over $250.

Yep. Over $250 when I looked. Too much.

Still, a modern MFC is a great deal. The duplex printing alone saves me
a ton of money.

My Brother probably saves a lot of power over my old HP LaserJet. It
doesn't have the huge power brick that the HP had and goes into a deep
sleep when not in use.

--
Paul Sture

In article ,
Ant wrote:

On 10/22/2012 10:26 PM PT, Andreas Rutishauser typed:

My client would like to know if it is possible to connect his very old
parallel HP LaserJet 6P printer to his MacBook Pros since inkjet
printers' inks are expensive compared to old reliable and cheaper laser.
I assume it would require an USB+parallel adapter to physically connect.
Also, there are HP drivers for Mac OS X 10.5.x and older, but none for
the newer ones like 10.8.2.

I think I did that once with a LaserJet 6 MP (which is the Mac editionof
the 6P) and a d-link DPR-1061. Idea was then offer the printer to
several computers in the network.
HP PPDs (or "printer drivers") are either already built into newer
MacOSs or will be installed (downloaded) from Apple when needed.

This one doesn't have network features. It does have InfraRed.

I know, that is what the d-link was for, or the JetDirects et al that
are mentioned in other posts.
Infrared requires that feature on both sides. If I remember correctly
Apple discontinued support of features other than Apple Remote with the
introduction of the Apple Remote...

Cheers
Andreas

--
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Beratung, Unterstuetzung und Schulung
, Fon: 044 / 721 36 47

In article , Andreas
Rutishauser wrote:
In article ,
Ant wrote:
On 10/22/2012 10:26 PM PT, Andreas Rutishauser typed:

My client would like to know if it is possible to connect his very old
parallel HP LaserJet 6P printer to his MacBook Pros since inkjet
printers' inks are expensive compared to old reliable and cheaper laser.
I assume it would require an USB+parallel adapter to physically connect.
Also, there are HP drivers for Mac OS X 10.5.x and older, but none for
the newer ones like 10.8.2.

I think I did that once with a LaserJet 6 MP (which is the Mac editionof
the 6P) and a d-link DPR-1061. Idea was then offer the printer to
several computers in the network.
HP PPDs (or "printer drivers") are either already built into newer
MacOSs or will be installed (downloaded) from Apple when needed.

This one doesn't have network features. It does have InfraRed.

I know, that is what the d-link was for, or the JetDirects et al that
are mentioned in other posts.
Infrared requires that feature on both sides. If I remember correctly
Apple discontinued support of features other than Apple Remote with the
introduction of the Apple Remote...

The brief fad of infrared printing disappeared (mostly on HP printers).
It's been superceeded by wireless protocols. Infrared needs line-of-sight,
which always made it rather a clumsy, silly system.

Could be I am a bit eccentric but I do pretty much exactly this with a VM.

I installed Fusion and Windows 98 (or whatever you prefer) under it.

Then I install the printer with an USB to parallel converter which everyone here knows wont work with any later flavour of OSX but which WILL work with Windows 98.

You just open up 98 in a VM, plug in the converter and install the driver for it. there arent any newer drivers but you dont want a new driver, you want the OLD driver!

Then plug in the printer and Hey Presto!

BTW Those old HP laserjets were built like rocks but had a fault: The rubber rollers decompose over time and start to break down. this was worse when I last checked a few years ago on a 6MP than the 5MP. I suppose they went over to using cheaper rubber at that time.

BTW remember, you will have to install (for example) Office 97 and re-save all your documents in the correct format and print from there. But you may well save a ton of money before the printer gives out.

And those huge toner cartridges are dirt cheap, aren't they!

On 2012-10-23, Paul Sture wrote:
In article ,
Lewis wrote:

In message
Mark Storkamp wrote:
You can get a parallel to ethernet printer server on Amazon for about
37USD.

For an HP printer? The last time I tried to get an ethernet thingy for
an HP printer is was well over $150, and I think over $250.

Yep. Over $250 when I looked. Too much.

He was talking about a generic ethernet-parallel interface, not
a printer-specific JetDirect card. The former are a lot cheaper
since they are much more of a commodity item. The Netgear PS-101
is probably the most famous example but there are others usch as
this one:

http://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-AC-TL-...TR4/ref=sr_1_1


--
Andrew Smallshaw

That's not worth it. He just wanted to print directly from his latest
Mac softwares to his old parallel laser printer. Oh well.


On 10/26/2012 8:05 PM PT, myfathersson typed:

Could be I am a bit eccentric but I do pretty much exactly this with a VM.

I installed Fusion and Windows 98 (or whatever you prefer) under it.

Then I install the printer with an USB to parallel converter which everyone here knows wont work with any later flavour of OSX but which WILL work with Windows 98.

You just open up 98 in a VM, plug in the converter and install the driver for it. there arent any newer drivers but you dont want a new driver, you want the OLD driver!

Then plug in the printer and Hey Presto!

BTW Those old HP laserjets were built like rocks but had a fault: The rubber rollers decompose over time and start to break down. this was worse when I last checked a few years ago on a 6MP than the 5MP. I suppose they went over to using cheaper rubber at that time.

BTW remember, you will have to install (for example) Office 97 and re-save all your documents in the correct format and print from there. But you may well save a ton of money before the printer gives out.

And those huge toner cartridges are dirt cheap, aren't they!



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On 10/23/2012 12:17 AM PT, David Empson typed:

USB to parallel adapters are generally problematic, due to lack of Mac
drivers or compatibility issues.

So, no USB to parallel adapters work well under Mac OS X with old
parallel printers? Interesting.
http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-SBT-UP.../dp/B0007UVRVO
says it works with Macs, but how well?
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In article ,
Ant wrote:

On 10/23/2012 12:17 AM PT, David Empson typed:

USB to parallel adapters are generally problematic, due to lack of Mac
drivers or compatibility issues.

So, no USB to parallel adapters work well under Mac OS X with old
parallel printers? Interesting.
http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-SBT-UP.../dp/B0007UVRVO
says it works with Macs, but how well?

I don't know about this cable, but I have been using an Epson cable (USB
to parallel) with a Stylus Photo 700 printer for years. It has moved
from G4 to G5 to 2011 iMac with no problems.