Printers

Please advise your Operating System, and which version. (for example XP Pro or Home, and SP1 or SP2)

Then we may be able to assist you better.....

The operating system is a Windows XP media center edition 2005

I have had very mixed success with plug-in adapters of any kind, and am really not sure how to make such an animal work.

The DeskJet 520 is a very old printer. There are drivers available from HP that go all the way back to Windows 3.0, and all the way up to 64-bit Vista. If you are in love with this printer, you can get a parallel port that plugs into an open PCI slot on your new computer. They are priced in the $20-$30 range, and are widely available.

If you saved your old computer (the one with the parallel port) the quick-and dirty fix would be to put a network card in it and configure it as a print server.

Money would probably be better invested in a new printer with a USB interface, because nobody is making computers with parallel ports anymore, unless by special order. Have you contacted Dell support? They are very eager to polish their tarnished image these days, and might actually be helpful. Good luck!

*because nobody is making computers with parallel ports anymore* maybe for the cheaper MB types as Dell sells, but not the better suppliers as Medion

The printer came off a 1985 windows 3.1

the PC was taken apart, due to the CMOS battery failing

This is normal problem when dealing with adaptors and convertors , i had faced similar problems ehen lots of newer accessories had PS2 port and cables where available with PS2 to USB ,USB serial/parllel ,serial to centronics, and all that , It is very difficult to configure with USB port , just connecting cables won`t help as signal synchronisation is different in any of the ports with USB interface , i don`t understand how manufacturers designed such cables without any drivers and support.Try parllel port PCI interface recomended by CR4 member , thats best solution if you want to keep both computer and printers working .

Just another thought re the problem.

It is probably not a problem with either the printer or the adaptor.

The most likely cause is an incorrect driver for your printer.

If you are using WinXP (Home or Pro):

1. Disconnect the printer by removing the Power plug
2. Disconnect at the USB outlet
3. Go to "Printers" folder
4. Select the printer with the mouse
5. REMOVE the Printer, = Uninstal it.
   
6. Reboot the Computer.

When the Computer is stable after the re-boot:

1. Connect the power to the printer,wait 30 seconds
2. Plug in the USB connector
3. WinXP should be able to "find the printer,and auto-instal the required driver/s to run it via the USB
4. Ensure that the printer is "Default Printer" as selected by you in the "Printers" folder.
   

If you are still in trouble after that operation , Post here,and you should be assisted further....

it's not plug and play tho, so it may not find the printer

It says

A one of the usb devices attached to this PC has malfunctioned

You can get a plug in card that adds LPT connectivity for $15

I looked on ebay and provided your PC has a free PCI slot, then this will do the job well, its a plugin LPT port!! this was on ebay UK, but i am sure that your ebay will have some too....I find the USB converters to be very mixed, some work, some don't....

Search using part or all of the following sentence on ebay or web:-

PCI Parallel Printer Port I/O Adapter Card Controller

PCI-Parallel-Printer-Port

Best of luck.