Basic XP build with parallel port?

[camconcay]

I have recently built a new PC running Windows 7 64 bit and have found many of my old printers will not run, even in XP compatability mode.

I need a very basic build that has a parallel port on the motherboard. Price is preference over Intel or AMD. I have a real copy of XP Pro 32bit, one 320 GB hard drive, optical drives, keyboard, mouse, monitor.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

edit

As I posted this I received the shell shocker email - is this any good?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...t=Combo.622019

This SuperCombo includes:
Intel Pentium E6700 Wolfdale 3.2GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor (Model:BX80571E6700)
GIGABYTE LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX Motherboard (Model:GA-G41M-Combo)
Patriot 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual channel Desktop Memory (Model:PSD34G1333K)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive (Model:ST31000528AS)
SABRENT 68-in-1 USB 2.0 Internal Card Reader w/ USB 2.0 Port supports SDHC/VISTA (Model:CRW-UINB)
Patriot 8GB Secure Digital High-Capacity (SDHC) Flash Card (Model:PSF8GSDHC4)
Broadway Com Corp Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case Okia ATX 550W Power Supply (Model:939PL-BLACK)

[David M]

I think it is more of a driver issue. There are Parallel port to USB adapters.
Amazon.com: Ambir 33004 USB to Parallel Port Adapter Cable: Electronics

All of the printer manufacturers that I know of provide legacy drivers for different printers and operating systems but of course not all operating systems or older printers.

If you cannot find a legacy driver that will work with Win7 in XP mode, an option is to partition a drive on your existing computer and to install the older operating system that works with the older printer rather than buying a new or used computer and installing the older operating system to it. This would also save you some money and the hassle of finding space for a second computer and buying a KVM switch. Transferring your documents to be printed between operating systems would be easy by leaving a USB flash drive in the computer

[kilgoretrout]

I wouldn't trust the psu that comes with that deal(Okia); it's not on the good list. I assume you want this build for something other than printer compatibility since you can buy a printer for much cheaper than your combo deal. If you could describe your intended use for this build, I'm sure you could get some meaningful help. Also state whether your hard drive and opticals are pata or sata. You seem to just need a motherboard, cpu, ram and case.

[camconcay]

I have the adapter, but in XP mode it doesn't see it I guess - the USB001 virtual printer port is there but when I install the drivers it still doesn't see or use the printers. After weeks of frustration I just figured a new super basic PC was the way to go.

I have a solid state drive as the main drive on the new build so no real room there for another OS partition (64gb and I have Adobe CS4 and CorelDraw installed). Is it possible to install on a secondary drive?

Originally Posted by David M I think it is more of a driver issue. There are Parallel port to USB adapters. Amazon.com: Ambir 33004 USB to Parallel Port Adapter Cable: Electronics All of the printer manufacturers that I know of provide legacy drivers for different printers and operating systems but of course not all operating systems or older printers.

[camconcay]

All SATA drives, the printers are larger format plus a cutter/plotter so repalcing the printers would be way more expensive than a PC. the intended use is truly just to use the older specialty printers (two epson 7600, one Epson 3000, roland CX24 cutter)

Originally Posted by kilgoretrout I wouldn't trust the psu that comes with that deal(Okia); it's not on the good list. I assume you want this build for something other than printer compatibility since you can buy a printer for much cheaper than your combo deal. If you could describe your intended use for this build, I'm sure you could get some meaningful help. Also state whether your hard drive and opticals are pata or sata. You seem to just need a motherboard, cpu, ram and case.

[David M]

Maybe a barebones Dell refurbished computer with a decent warranty rather than resorting to a cheapo with junk parts?

[Kidd]

While it won't satisfy a hobby PC builder, the refurb idea is cost effective.

One of many sites that sell refurbs:

refurbished desktop computers - Search - Buy.com

Entire PC, separate XP license, some come with an extra keyboard, and there are several options under $200.

[rwest]

Before you go get a refurb online. Check for a local computer guy. He propably has want you want sitting on a shelf. If not, more than likely he can put a decent XP system together for you. And being local, if theres any issues, he 's reachable.

I see 'em all the time, p4's going for 200 or less.

I personally have enough extra parts (except for a vid card) to put a XP system together.

BTW I wouldn't say that shell shocker deal is junk parts. No, the parts arn't the best choices but I think only the power supply is really questionable. I did notice it didn't have an optical drive.

[glc]

Dell got rid of the parallel ports quite a while ago. Why don't you just put a parallel port card into your existing computer? It will install as a numbered LPT and is compatible with Win 7.

Newegg.com - Koutech Single Parallel PCI (SPP/PS2/EPP/ECP) Card Model IO-PP110

[camconcay]

No drivers for Win7 for my older printers so even if I had the port still no go.

OH - would it then work in compatability mode?

Originally Posted by glc Dell got rid of the parallel ports quite a while ago. Why don't you just put a parallel port card into your existing computer? It will install as a numbered LPT and is compatible with Win 7. Newegg.com - Koutech Single Parallel PCI (SPP/PS2/EPP/ECP) Card Model IO-PP110

[glc]

Upgrade to Win 7 Pro and use XP Mode. This is real XP running in a virtual machine, not just a compatibility mode.

Another option is add your 320 drive to your existing system and set up a dual boot - install XP on the 320.

Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP - Windows 7 Forums

[camconcay]

Sorry - should have clarified that, it is Win7 pro and does use virtual machine - full XP. It all looks like it would/should work, drivers install, but it doesn't see the USB to parallel adapter, or at least doesn't see it correctly. I will take a llok at the dual boot, could be a better option except for having to logout to switch back and forth versus 2 systems.

Originally Posted by glc Upgrade to Win 7 Pro and use XP Mode. This is real XP running in a virtual machine, not just a compatibility mode. Another option is add your 320 drive to your existing system and set up a dual boot - install XP on the 320. Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and XP - Windows 7 Forums

[birddog_61]

I would give the pci card a shot first, if it doesn't work you can still use it in a dual boot machine and not have to worry about the adapter.

[glc]

The PCI card will be seen in XP as a numbered LPT port, so it should work fine.

[DOS_equis]

I've always had poor results when I tried to use compatability mode for anything. It always appears that it did something but it never seems to help much.

I had a similar issue when i was trying to get older printers to work on my home network. I first tried using one of those Centronics 36 to ethernet print servers from Netgear. It worked great until it decided to die after a week or two. I RMA'd it to Newegg and ebay'd the new one since I decided that I was going to have to use a real PC to work as a print server instead of these print server adapters. Most of the other ones listed on Newegg had horrible reviews and the one I picked had the least bad reviews.

Anyway I found an old Compaq EN desktop like this (I didn't buy from here, found locally):

Compaq Deskpro EN SFF PIII 1.0 GHz 256 RAM 20 GB HDD Small Form Factor Computers used

Installed a copy of XP Pro 32 bit I had on the shelf and hooked up the parallel printer to it. To access it remotely I use TightVNC. This allows me to run it headless (no monitor, mouse or KBD). I also have a USB Brother multi function printer which has almost the same footprint as the Compaq machine so at first glance it looks like they were made to work together. It sits in the corner of the office and runs all of the time and also has a small UPS. Since it's a very low powered machine it doesn't cost much to operate.

IMO I think you should re-purpose an old machine as a print server like I did. It seems to be stable and was extremely cheap to get going.

Only real trouble I had with the setup was when I was trying to print to the laser from a notebook running Win 7 Pro 64 bit. No matter how or which way I created the port it would crash the spooler service and then refuse to print anything else to that machine after a short time. It would work briefly and then decide to die. I solved it by physically plugging in the printer to the notebook and letting windows update find drivers. Then I removed the printer from windows and created a new port after plugging in the laser printer to the print server and had it use the drivers it found when I connected it earlier.

It seemed to work better to manually create the port using the Local Printer option, selecting the LPT1 as the port, manually selecting the printer from the list, acknowledging the message about the similar driver and let windows create it. You can go back in and change port info around to get it to work. You just need to know the exact way the printer is named and the exact name of the machine hosting the printers. Also you need to make the print server a part of the workgroup before you do all of this or it won't work. This setup is IMO, the most stable way to go. You can get those Deskpro machines or something similar pretty cheap. The one I have has a P3 in it with 512MB of RAM. The only apps on it are the TightVNC server (use viewer on the client machines) and Microsoft Security Essentials.

DOS_equis