USB Port Vs. Parallel Ports...

[Robinrs]

My parents bought me a printer and scanner with a USB port and my ancient computer has a "parallel", I THINK that's what it's called, a wide plug. Is there any hope? Can I get an adaptor or am I out of luck?

Any help will be appreciated, guys!

 

[Chris C]

Robin, I have an adapter that allows me to connect my old serial printer to a USB hub, so I assume there is something that will probably go the other way too.

Here's a link to a search result for "serial adapters" on the PC Zone web site. There are a lot of adapters listed so maybe someone with more "PC" experience could make a recommendation on a particular product.

Serial Adapters

 

[StormAlongBay]

Robin,

It will really depend on how "ancient" your computer is. There are different types of slots within a computer that can be used for "add-ons". Depending on your computer, the two slots that you can have are ISA and PCI (another slot is AGP which is for video).
This one, USB PCI card at CompUsa is cheap, only $21.57. You can only use this one if you have an unused PCI slot. This card will allow you to plug in 2 USB peripherals, which you mentioned you have, but you can also chain up to 127 USB.

I also tried searching for ISA slot ones but did not find any at Compusa.com or Bestbuy.com

Kevin (aka Bob according to JC who always knows best)

 

[Cricket2]

You have three choices here, two of which are mentioned above.

1) In line converter (works ok, can be slow but not always)

2) Add a USB port (better because you get 2 ports which will allow you to use another USB device in the future along with the scanner and it won't clog up your current parallel port)

3) Exchange the scanner. Many scanners come in both a USB/serial and parallel versions) This choice will be the cheapest, but then you are stuck with a parallel scanner if you get a new PC with USB capabilities.

Then of course there is Chris' choice of throw everything away and get a Mac!

Without knowing any other information, I'd choose #2.


BTW not to confuse you furthur but you can, as Bob has suggested, chain MANY devices from both types of ports, not just 2. If you do use an in line converter it has to be the last device on the chain. Honestly I've never used a converter in a chain, so I don't know how good the results would be.

 

[Robinrs]

Wow!
Thanks to everyone for their help!

Now I will print all of this up and hand it to my Computer guy here at the job because in my world, this might as well be Swahili!!

Thanks again!

 

[Cricket2]

Sorry Kevin! All you guys look the same to me. All I see is the pocket protectors.

I'll call Chris "Joe" for the rest of the day so you don't feel so bad.

JC

(Which stands for "Just Can't remember names at all today")

 

[BobBrazeal]

Hey, Kevin, I just saw this thread. I didn't even know I was getting credit for your work!

Don't worry, JC, my mother used to call me Tommy (my older brother) all the time. I would just tell her that I was the other one.

So, "JC, I'm the other one."

 

[Cricket2]

I always think "SAB" and I must have thought "B"-------->"Bob".


I try and come up with a better excuse later on.

JC

 

[BobBrazeal]

Yea, that one needs a little fine tuning. I think it is already a bit late in the morning for us to buy into that one!! We've already had our coffee.

Maybe RoutemanDan could be Larry and then Kevin and I could be Darryl and Darryl. Would that make it easier for everyone??

 

[StormAlongBay]

No problem Ralph.
At least you didn't say SOB

 

[LisaTx]

That's nothing, guys. My mom used to call me Mitzi all of the time. Mitzi was our dog.