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| Thread ID: 27829 | 2002-12-03 22:22:00 | running printers in parallel | robc (2685) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 103115 | 2002-12-03 22:22:00 | I currently use an HP Laserjet 4 as my main printer. I also have a Canon bjc 4200 which I wish to use as a backup or colour printer. However when I connect the Canon printer through the HP printer neither of them will work and the HP goes into melt down and prints page after page of garbage and won't stop until I turn it off. Needless to say, this can be a trifle annoying. Can you help me with a solution short of buying a new laser printer. |
robc (2685) | ||
| 103116 | 2002-12-03 22:24:00 | I'd buy a USB - Parrallel adapter from DSE - Prolly gonna cost you about 25-35 bucks, but its a solution to the problem and you wont have to buy a new printer :D Cheers Chilling_Silence |
Chilling_Silence (9) | ||
| 103117 | 2002-12-04 01:30:00 | Or a plugin (PCI?) parallel port. Printers are not designed to double up, as you have found. They often don't like sharing with scanners, too. :D Anything like that is a bodge up. With scanners it sometimes doesn't work. With printers it's pretty well guaranteed to not work. You could use a switch, but these are not recommended with "clever" printers such as the LJ, and have been alleged to have harmful or fatal effects with some fragile on-board printer ports. As well, a switch is a pain to use. ;-) |
Graham L (2) | ||
| 103118 | 2002-12-04 01:40:00 | There are some good switch options out there. The LJ4 won't be USB, so not sure how you are pluggin in the Canon. Can't see how that would ever work and sending Canon data to the HP would just give it kittens as you say. I think a decent printer switch is called for, try Dick Smiths. robo. PS welcome, and please use the name robc wisely, it is an excellent name which has served me well. Some people here may think you are me, so don't be surprised if they ask you to give them prizes (like Mike). I don't think you are me, but I haven't checked. |
robo (205) | ||
| 103119 | 2002-12-04 01:47:00 | Yeah.. You can buy a PCI or ISA Parallel port for REAL cheap from DSE or Trademe.co.nz, that's another great idea. I've had enough trouble in previous years using scanners and printer.. Printers and printers... Oooh, I'm just not even gonna think about it *Cringe* |
Chilling_Silence (9) | ||
| 103120 | 2002-12-04 02:05:00 | I've just had a horrible thought: "connecting the Canon printer through the HP" . Have you been using a DB25-Centronics printer cable from the computer to the HP and then a cable from a DB25 plug at the back of the to the Canon? If the HP has a DB25, it is an "RS232" serial input; not a pass through parallel connector . :-( That could do damage . If the Canon has a parallel input use it on the parallel port, and put the LJ on a serial port if you have one spare . Or if the Canon has only a serial input (which you have been trying to feed from the HP's serial inoput) put it on the serial port . |
Graham L (2) | ||
| 103121 | 2002-12-04 02:22:00 | My suggestion is to buy a switch . The ones I have seen have one input from the computer, four outputs - to printers or scanners - and a knob on the front . Want to print to the "A" output? - turn the knob to "A" To D? - turn the knob to "D" It also pays to rename your computers in printer setup (as a memory aid) eg: "Canon Printer - A" "HP Printer - B" "Scanner - C" You can also get switches that work the other way - multiple computers to one printer . |
Heather P (163) | ||
| 103122 | 2002-12-04 02:29:00 | Found one. $24 from Dick Smith (www.dse.co.nz). $5 more than the two way one but allows expansion. |
Heather P (163) | ||
| 103123 | 2002-12-04 02:32:00 | I would strongly recommend using a port rather than a switch . The HP talks back to the driver . If the switch is in the wrong position the software can get "confused" . I am not sure whether a sticker (which I saw today on the back of a box) "Warranty does not apply if a printer has been plugged or unplugged when the computer has power on" would apply to the use of a switch . Some motherboard parallel ports have been a bit electrically fragile . |
Graham L (2) | ||
| 103124 | 2002-12-04 02:35:00 | Good work, Heather, thanks. They work fine, better than KVM switches that can cause ugliness. robo. |
robo (205) | ||
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