Pinter connection problem

Question

I think it is a connection problem. Have a new Dell E521 with a HP 895CSE printer. With my old PC dell Dimension 4500 it was attached the old regular printer cable. I have a special power strip that my PC is plugged into. So when I power up my PC it reads the PC is turned on and then turns on the rest of the power strip to turn on things like my monitor, printer, speakers, scanner, router, DSL modem, etc… and then works the same way when I turn off PC. So I have always liked that I could just do one thing like power on or off my PC and it turns everything else on or off with it. The problem is with my new PC I could only hookup the printer with a USB connection and I think this is the problem. It does not see the printer if it is powered on at the same time. If I wait until PC completely boots up and then power on the printer it sees it. I checked with HP tech on the printer and seems it is installed correctly using the drivers that came with win XP. The only difference I know of between this PC and my old is that it is now connected with a USB cable. Could this be the problem? If so what kind of card could I buy that I could install in my computer that would allow me to go back to a printer connection with a regular printer cable. I do now have 4 USB slots in the back of PC and had to get a splitter since I had 5 USB devices to keep plugged in. But the printer is in one of the plugs by itself. Know it seems minor problem; poor guy has to push button on his printer. But it is been over a 20 year habit to only do it my way (funny how get use to only one thing) and the printer power button is not quite close enough to reach by my desk Also always wondered why these type of power strips were not a lot more popular and they work great. I even have my calculator and desk light plugged into it so everything turns on with just PC on or Windows shut down. Thanks for any suggestions.

fireberd · Answer

You would have to install a PCI Parallel port card to be able to use the old (and obsolete) printer port connection.  You are better off using the 'current technology' USB connection.    If you notice there is no longer a Serial (com) port on your new PC.  That interface is obsolete too.

RAYH78 · Answer

so sometimes the current technology is not as good as the old.

fireberd · Answer

In most cases the new technology is better, and the only option.  The 'old reliable' may work great but it's 'old'.   I've worked in computer hardware since 1962 (before PC's) and you have to accept constant change with computer technology.  My old Commodore PC worked great but it's nothing compared to the current technology.

Printers

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