Turn a parallel port printer into a wireless printer?

r2015

I have an old laser printer connected via a parallel port to my computer.


I also have a laptop computer wirelessly networked to the first computer and if I want to print from the laptop the first computer has to be on and not sleeping, hibernating etc.


Due to changing circumstances I don't need the first computer on all the time and might do away with it altogether and mainly use the laptop but I can't connect the printer to the laptop because it does not have a parallel port.


Also the printer and computer is upstairs and I mainly use the laptop downstairs.


Can I get a device that will turn the laser printer into a wireless printer?

grumpycrab

Something like this? (connect to router via long ethernet cable or powerplug pair;)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-PS110P-Single-Parallel-Ethernet/dp/B0015UGALC/
Easy returns at Amazon if it doesn't work. Wifi solution maybe too unreliable or expensive.

gjchester

r2015 wrote: »

Can I get a device that will turn the laser printer into a wireless printer?

Your after a wireless print server, although parallel ones are not that common now. You would need to do some research, some printers (not many) may require two way communication to work, and without that they will not print.

bsod

as you're going to have to go to the printer to pick up the printing anyway, buy a usb parallel adapter.

Or move the printer, or replace it with a modern one.

r2015

Or move the printer

Since most of the printing is for my wife's club she can go upstairs and get it.

or replace it with a modern one

I have enough toner cartridges to print the minutes of her club for the next 200 years.

john.o1

I also have an old printer that I would love to get working again, it doesn't like 64 bit windows.

I have an old laptop that has a broken screen and keyboard but will still work with an external keyboard and monitor and was wondering if there is software that can turn an old laptop into a print server?

esuhl

john.o1 wrote: »

I also have an old printer that I would love to get working again, it doesn't like 64 bit windows.

I have an old laptop that has a broken screen and keyboard but will still work with an external keyboard and monitor and was wondering if there is software that can turn an old laptop into a print server?

Just plug in the printer to the laptop and share the printer on the network. So long as the laptop is on, you'll be able to print from your other computers/devices.

If you don't have an OS on the old laptop, you could install GNU/Linux and use Samba (to connect to a Windows network) and CUPS (to print).

spud17

What are these old printers that do not work with 64 bit Windows?

I have a Canon i560 and HP Laserjet 1320, both at least 12 years old, both rescued from skips, both installed in Win 8.1 Pro using Windows Update to search for drivers.
Initially installed using their usb connection, then put onto a Netgear PS110 print server (£5 eBay), uses parallel ports, and then plugged into the router.

r2015

What are these old printers that do not work with 64 bit Windows?

hp laserjet 1005 series for one.

tronator

r2015 wrote: »

hp laserjet 1005 series for one.

If this is the printer you were talking in your first post, have a closer look. It has a USB port. That makes your search for a print server easier.

r2015

If this is the printer you were talking in your first post, have a closer look. It has a USB port. That makes your search for a print server easier.

I was replying to SPUD17

What are these old printers that do not work with 64 bit Windows?