USB 2.0 ?- Need parallel printer port help

Question

I have recently purchased a Inspiron 5100 thinking I could use a USB to Parallel converter cable or a USB 2.0 port replicator/ dockstation to print to a parallel printer. For most things, I can print via usb. However, an important software I use writes directly to the printer port (I think it looks for LPT1) to use the parallel because of the zpl language.

I purchased a Belkin USB 2.0 Dockstation from Dell for this laptop - it apears that the driver CD will load the LPT port in Win 98/2000, but not in XP. Anybody have a solution for this other than returning the laptop and getting one with a parallel port? big price jump from a 5100 to an 8600.

mattcowger · Answer

The 8600 no longer comes with a parallel port either. Windows XP drivers for your device here: http://web.belkin.com/support/download/downloaddetails.asp?download=1134〈=1

mgumm · Answer

I loaded driver - still no LPT port.  Only thing that shows up in ports is COM4 for the serial port.  Anything else I can try before going back to Dell?

mattcowger · Answer

You software may not work with converters like this - most dont. Things that try to write to the port directly (like this software, and various hardware keying dongles) dont work with things like this because htye dont have direct memory addresses like a builtin one. you are going to need a laptop with a builtin port...

Your choices are the 600m, the D600, D505.

mgumm · Answer

Thanks Matt

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USB 2.0 ?- Need parallel printer port help

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