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I spent about three hours trying everything possible to make this work between my old HP Deskjet 970 Cse and my new Toshiba Satellite with Vista. I would have given up much sooner if I hadn't read several examples here of how easy it is.
I also tried it with my iMac running Leopard. No luck there either.
from Springer Oklahoma on 10/31/2008
I installed the cable to my old HP694C, {which works like a champ}, and to my new DFI motherboard. Using XP Pro, at first it did not pick-up as play and go upon reboot. I went from start to the 'Printer and Faxes' and simply click on to 'Add a Printer'. At this stage you will have the options to use LPT1-3m Commo 1-4, Ir and soforth. I simply used the last option; USBOO1 "Virtual drive for printer." It worked like a champ once I download the driver from XP. No problems...
The packaging does not specifically state that the USB/Parallel adpter cable is functional with Vista, but it is. Since Vista has both the HP LaserJet 6 and the adapter cable drivers on board, installation was flawless and I was printing in a flash. I did not need to use the 'Add New Hardware Wizard' or switch to the USB001 port.
Connected this cable to my new laptop USB port and the printers parallel port, changed the printer port settings per the instructions and it works fine. Best [$]I spent in a long time. Had major problems getting my printer to work on my home network and this cable solved my problem.
from Norman, OK on 1/7/2008
Initially, I could not get this to work with Vista. Then I changed the port from LPT to USB and it worked fine. I have Vista Home Premium and am using the cable with a Laser Jet 4.
from Logan Twp, NJ on 11/1/2007
I upgraded to a new HP A6200 with Vista. My HP 932c Deskjet needed this product to connect to the tower. I swapped cables, turned everything on, went to the Control Panel, clicked Add Printer, and everything was there to set it up. Two minutes and I'm not buying a new printer. Thanks.
from Clemson, SC on 9/22/2007
Just tried it with a MacBook Pro running Tiger 10.4.10. This usb to parallel adapter worked fine.
from Clemson, SC on 9/15/2007
I just installed it on 32-bit Vista using an HP 4L printer. Vista has built-in drivers for both the printer and this adapter. The only con is it's USB 1.1 and not high speed. But it's not like this old printer could run any faster. Windows reports it uses 0.1 amps from the USB bus. That's not much. It's also a great value with gold plated centronics and usb connectors. It is actually 6'5" from tip to tip. Came with a cd-rom with Win98/ME drivers. The installation instructions would lead you to REPLACE your default printer with this one instead of installing a new printer. DUMB.
I also installed it on WinXP SP2 using the built-in driver for the cable and the HP 4L Kernel Mode Win2K driver from HP and it worked no problem.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
Installed on computer running Windows XP with an HP LaserJet 4 printer. No need to use the CD that came with the new USB/Parallel cable as Windows 2000/XP has the driver pre-installed. Also did not need to use the Add New Hardware Wizard to install the driver software as the cable's instructions implied. Did need to use the Windows XP control panel Add Printer feature to reinstall my HP LaserJet 4 printer as I had previously deleted it while troubleshooting my initial problem (it turned out that my computer's LPT1 port no longer worked.) Be aware that the back of the cable package states "Compatible with most Centronic 36-pin printers." so the cable may not work with your particular printer. Buying the new cable allowed me to still use my older printer that does not have a USB port.
[0 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
This product will not work with Windows Vista.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from King George on 6/5/2007
People seem to get frustrated that they cant plug this device in and just let it go. Im not sure what everyone is talking about, but the Drivers on the CD are for 98 and ME only, XP already has them installed, and recognizes the device. You have to go through the Add a Printer Wizard and select the Virtual0001usb Comport. That's how you get it to work.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
I don't know what the prior reviewers are talking about. This was easy to install - didn't even use the cd. XP did everything automatically. It took less than 5 minutes to connect and have a fully working printer.
New desktops and some laptops do not have a 25 pin parallel printer port. This cable is supposed to allow you to connect a 25 pin printer to a USB port on your new computer. I found you have to do two additional things or it will never work. 1. Buy a POWERED USB hub and connect the cable to the USB hub. It will supply enough power to the USB so you can 'talk' to the printer. 2. remove then reinstall printer drivers once the USB is correctly connected to the printer cable. XP may have the drivers available, so just install the 'new hardware' prompts and it should get up and running. Good luck.
[0 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
Product CD Installation did not have the driver software. Have to go back to the store to return it. The online driver download also has the same problem.
1. No "on-screen instructions" as printed on CD. 2. No 'Read me' file on CD. 3. Onlly five files on CD and none provided information for installation. 4. Taking package back to Radio Shack after less than 2 hrs from purchase.