Stupid question, I know, but can printers come in USB plugs?

Mohamed · 10-28-2002, 07:37 AM

The thing is I just got a laptop (really nice one at 2.4 GHZ, 512K DDRAM, DVD-CD RW combo, zip drive, etc) but there are no parallel ports nor a serial port (only one for the mointer outlet), but plenty of USB ports, so the question is, is there an outlet for parallel ports to USB (on my current printer is a parallel port)?

Second, I have a cable modem at home, can I directly plug into the LAN outlet in my laptop, install the AT&T software and then connect to the internet?

Thanks in advance, sorry i am a computer shmuk and know very little about computers!!!

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HBoss · 10-28-2002, 07:45 AM

It's not a stupid question. Yes printers come in the USB flavor now. You'll get mixed emotions about them. I've had nothing but problems with such a relatively simple interface, but others swear by USB. Anyhow, hope that helps.

Al

metal22lica · 10-28-2002, 08:02 AM

i have a laptop that i take from school and home and back. i connect to the internet at both places. i connect at school through a network, but i home i have a cable modem. i just take the plug out of my desktop and plug it right into the laptop. you might just have to install the drivers for it, that is what i had to do for mine...but my cable modem connects through the USB port..

Mohamed · 10-28-2002, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by metal22lica
i have a laptop that i take from school and home and back. i connect to the internet at both places. i connect at school through a network, but i home i have a cable modem. i just take the plug out of my desktop and plug it right into the laptop. you might just have to install the drivers for it, that is what i had to do for mine...but my cable modem connects through the USB port..

Hboss, so there is a Parallel to USB adaptor right? Thanks again!
___
Metal22lica...my desktop doesn't have a Ethernet looking adaptor so I do have a USB to ethernet conversion, but my laptop already has the ethernet plug in there, so I probably won't need to install any drivers right ? ? I can just directly plug into the plug and run the cable modem right (of course first installing the AT&T broadband program) ?

metal22lica · 10-28-2002, 08:34 AM

yeah you should be able to. you might not even have to install the at&t stuff. if i am wrong there are a lot of networkers in where that will correct me...

HBoss · 10-28-2002, 08:38 AM

Regarding the parallel to usb adapter, I do know that there is an adapter to go from a printer's parallel port to a computer's USB port. That's about all the info I'm good for.

Al

ts1 · 10-28-2002, 09:03 AM

I just solved this problem. I went to Staples and bought a parallel to USB cable for my new Laserjet printer. The cable is not cheap. I think I paid near $46 for it. I already have a color inkjet printer in my 1 and only parallel port so I had to go this route. It works great. I just select the printer I want from windows and Voila! I hope this helps.

HBoss · 10-28-2002, 09:53 AM

$46, holy crappers. :eek:

At least we know the answer now, thx ts1.

Mohamed · 10-28-2002, 01:25 PM

Ya, definitly THANK GUYS!!! You guys are awesome!

metal22lica · 10-28-2002, 01:55 PM

did you get everything working out ok?

Shane · 10-28-2002, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mohamed
Second, I have a cable modem at home, can I directly plug into the LAN outlet in my laptop, install the AT&T software and then connect to the internet?

You don't have to install anything for the cable modem to work, just plug it in and you should be good to go with the default settings.

Hbum · 10-28-2002, 05:27 PM

Shane is correct. You are probably better off not installing any of the AT&T stuff. If you ethernet device is up and running, with it's driver installed, all you need to do is plug in the cable modem. My cable modem does not require a driver.

Mohamed · 10-29-2002, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by metal22lica
did you get everything working out ok?

haven't tried yet, will try it tonight, thanks though for the info and Shane I will attempt to plug it in without the At&t driver. I always thought I needed it to access the network.

Shane · 10-29-2002, 05:49 PM

Shouldn't need it at all. What it does is customize your web browser with their "skin" and set your network adapter's configuration for DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol or in layman's terms "auto-config").

Mohamed · 10-29-2002, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shane
Shouldn't need it at all. What it does is customize your web browser with their "skin" and set your network adapter's configuration for DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol or in layman's terms "auto-config").

Hey Shane your right, it works, all I did was just plug in the ethernet plug into the LAN on the laptop and Walla!!! No install or anything! This reply is off the laptop as we speak! All I need now is the printer cable for a USB plug! Thanks guys!

10-28-2002, 07:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
HBoss Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada Posts: 1,878	It's not a stupid question. Yes printers come in the USB flavor now. You'll get mixed emotions about them. I've had nothing but problems with such a relatively simple interface, but others swear by USB. Anyhow, hope that helps. Al __________________ 1997 4Runner Ltd. Bilstein shocks, rear E-locker & riding on 32s. Mods Pics Tech articles, write-ups & more are available on my website. http://www.hboss.net/4runner

10-28-2002, 08:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
HBoss Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada Posts: 1,878	Regarding the parallel to usb adapter, I do know that there is an adapter to go from a printer's parallel port to a computer's USB port. That's about all the info I'm good for. Al __________________ 1997 4Runner Ltd. Bilstein shocks, rear E-locker & riding on 32s. Mods Pics Tech articles, write-ups & more are available on my website. http://www.hboss.net/4runner

10-28-2002, 09:03 AM	#7 (permalink)
ts1 Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 253	I just solved this problem. I went to Staples and bought a parallel to USB cable for my new Laserjet printer. The cable is not cheap. I think I paid near $46 for it. I already have a color inkjet printer in my 1 and only parallel port so I had to go this route. It works great. I just select the printer I want from windows and Voila! I hope this helps. __________________ 2000 SR5 4X4, 5-spd, Locker, SAW-OME Lift, ARB & Rockware Bumpers, SLEE-Sliders, Warn M8000 Winch, Magnaflow Muffler, BFG 285/75R16 AT KO

10-28-2002, 09:53 AM	#8 (permalink)
HBoss Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada Posts: 1,878	$46, holy crappers. :eek: At least we know the answer now, thx ts1. __________________ 1997 4Runner Ltd. Bilstein shocks, rear E-locker & riding on 32s. Mods Pics Tech articles, write-ups & more are available on my website. http://www.hboss.net/4runner

10-28-2002, 01:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mohamed Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (0) [OP] Join Date: May 2002 Location: Carmichael, CA Posts: 1,656	Ya, definitly THANK GUYS!!! You guys are awesome! __________________ 2002 Imperial Jade Mica Tundra 2005 Acura TSX 6MT Navi 2006 Suzuki GSX-R600 Pic's of my Tundra

10-28-2002, 08:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
metal22lica Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Bradenton, Florida Posts: 992	i have a laptop that i take from school and home and back. i connect to the internet at both places. i connect at school through a network, but i home i have a cable modem. i just take the plug out of my desktop and plug it right into the laptop. you might just have to install the drivers for it, that is what i had to do for mine...but my cable modem connects through the USB port..

10-28-2002, 08:34 AM	#5 (permalink)
metal22lica Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Bradenton, Florida Posts: 992	yeah you should be able to. you might not even have to install the at&t stuff. if i am wrong there are a lot of networkers in where that will correct me...

10-28-2002, 01:55 PM	#10 (permalink)
metal22lica Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Bradenton, Florida Posts: 992	did you get everything working out ok?

10-28-2002, 05:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
Hbum Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: May 2002 Location: Arlington, Texas Posts: 184	Shane is correct. You are probably better off not installing any of the AT&T stuff. If you ethernet device is up and running, with it's driver installed, all you need to do is plug in the cable modem. My cable modem does not require a driver. __________________ H. M. Bumgardner Jr. 2000 4Runner Limited

10-29-2002, 05:49 PM	#14 (permalink)
Shane Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: May 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 3,000	Shouldn't need it at all. What it does is customize your web browser with their "skin" and set your network adapter's configuration for DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol or in layman's terms "auto-config"). __________________ "It's one great big dysfunctional family that now has to split up and spread dysfunctionality around the greater world," Bill Stainton on the breakup of the cast of "Almost Live!"

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