Parallel port questions

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ben Fullerton
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Ben Fullerton

1. How long a cable can I use with a parallel port printer without
tempting fate? (Max. I might want would be 25 or 30 ft.)

2. The extension cable looks like an old RS232 (unless I am remembering
the wrong number) cable that I have but I think it had a crossover on a
few of the wires. Any suggestions as to which would be the most probably
crossovers on a RS232 cable? I think that it is the cable that I used to
connect my Commodore 64 to my 286 - 7 PC a long time ago.

All suggestions welcome .... unless they are rude. :-)

Ben F.
 
Ben Fullerton said:
1. How long a cable can I use with a parallel port printer without
tempting fate? (Max. I might want would be 25 or 30 ft.)

2. The extension cable looks like an old RS232 (unless I am remembering
the wrong number) cable that I have but I think it had a crossover on a
few of the wires. Any suggestions as to which would be the most probably
crossovers on a RS232 cable? I think that it is the cable that I used to
connect my Commodore 64 to my 286 - 7 PC a long time ago.

All suggestions welcome .... unless they are rude. :-)

Ben F.
Click to expand...


you should use a "straight thru" type extension and not a crossover cable
any IEEE cable should work for 25 feet or so
 
1. How long a cable can I use with a parallel port printer without
tempting fate? (Max. I might want would be 25 or 30 ft.)

2. The extension cable looks like an old RS232 (unless I am remembering
the wrong number) cable that I have but I think it had a crossover on a
few of the wires. Any suggestions as to which would be the most probably
crossovers on a RS232 cable? I think that it is the cable that I used to
connect my Commodore 64 to my 286 - 7 PC a long time ago.

All suggestions welcome .... unless they are rude. :-)

Ben F.
Click to expand...

We're not allowed to be rude?

You don't want a crossover cable, just a standard, straight cable.

The length may depend on the quality of the cable. I've never tried to
see just how far away one would work but did have one on a decent-looking
18' cable (I have no idea exactly what cable make it is, over the years I
accumulated a box full and just grabbed one).

It might also help to choose a slower transfer rate in the bios. SPP
should be slowest.

For the greatest distance use a networked print server instead.
 
kony ([email protected]) wrote:
: On Fri, 12 Mar 2004 00:19:37 +0000 (UTC), (e-mail address removed) (Ben
: Fullerton) wrote:

: >1. How long a cable can I use with a parallel port printer without
: >tempting fate? (Max. I might want would be 25 or 30 ft.)
: >
: >2. The extension cable looks like an old RS232 (unless I am remembering
: >the wrong number) cable that I have but I think it had a crossover on a
: >few of the wires. Any suggestions as to which would be the most probably
: >crossovers on a RS232 cable? I think that it is the cable that I used to
: >connect my Commodore 64 to my 286 - 7 PC a long time ago.
: >
: >All suggestions welcome .... unless they are rude. :-)
: >
: >Ben F.

: We're not allowed to be rude?

Sure, if you want to. I just won't smile when I read it. :-)

: You don't want a crossover cable, just a standard, straight cable.

This happens often when I try to keep my questions brief ....

I know that I want a 'straight' cable. I just don't know which of the pins
to test for a *quick* check to see which it is that I already have.

: The length may depend on the quality of the cable. I've never tried to
: see just how far away one would work but did have one on a decent-looking
: 18' cable (I have no idea exactly what cable make it is, over the years I
: accumulated a box full and just grabbed one).

The one I have is old enough that the individual wire insulation and wire
size looks thicker and bigger than with some of my newer cables ... which
might give less 'cross-talk' because of the greater separation ...I hope.

: It might also help to choose a slower transfer rate in the bios. SPP
: should be slowest.

As I want to use this only for a printer which is fed by a driver which is
controlled by the word processor program, and avoid temporary changes in
settings if possible, I havn't a clue as to how to change the "transfer
rate" of the data being sent to the printer. Probably simpler to copy to a
floppy and take it to the other system.

: For the greatest distance use a networked print server instead.

One other choice that is possible is to bore a hole in the wall between
this computer and the system with the printer in the next room. Nice and
low tech! (Higher tech might be to bore a tiny hole and use some sort of
fiber optic link through the wall??)

Thanks for all of the responses, not one of which was rude! :-)

Ben F.
 
: You don't want a crossover cable, just a standard, straight cable.

This happens often when I try to keep my questions brief ....

I know that I want a 'straight' cable. I just don't know which of the pins
to test for a *quick* check to see which it is that I already have.
Click to expand...

The lazy approach might be best... simply hook up the cable to the printer
and see if it works. I'm assuming you don't have extremely long cables,
that to get this length you were going to couple two or more. If each
single cable won't work, alone, it wouldn't really matter if it's a
crossover or not.

: The length may depend on the quality of the cable. I've never tried to
: see just how far away one would work but did have one on a decent-looking
: 18' cable (I have no idea exactly what cable make it is, over the years I
: accumulated a box full and just grabbed one).

The one I have is old enough that the individual wire insulation and wire
size looks thicker and bigger than with some of my newer cables ... which
might give less 'cross-talk' because of the greater separation ...I hope.
Click to expand...

Possibly, all you can do is try it.
: It might also help to choose a slower transfer rate in the bios. SPP
: should be slowest.

As I want to use this only for a printer which is fed by a driver which is
controlled by the word processor program, and avoid temporary changes in
settings if possible, I havn't a clue as to how to change the "transfer
rate" of the data being sent to the printer. Probably simpler to copy to a
floppy and take it to the other system.
Click to expand...

It's quite quick & easy, in the bios there's a page for integrated
options, serial and parallel ports and such, where you can choose among
SPP, EPP, ECP.
You simply choose the one you want and save it, then windows may redetect
the port.
: For the greatest distance use a networked print server instead.

One other choice that is possible is to bore a hole in the wall between
this computer and the system with the printer in the next room. Nice and
low tech! (Higher tech might be to bore a tiny hole and use some sort of
fiber optic link through the wall??)
Click to expand...

It'd be a large hole though unless you're in the mood to sever the cable
and reattach the plugs.

For some reason I was under the impression that the printer would not be
sitting next to another computer... why not just network them and share
the printer like that? For example you could use a couple of 802.11b or
11g cards or regular PCI network cards and run the UTP CAT5 cable through
the wall or just a few inches of cable to couple a pair of wall jacks, one
per each side of the wall.
 
: For the greatest distance use a networked print server instead.

One other choice that is possible is to bore a hole in the wall between
this computer and the system with the printer in the next room. Nice and
low tech! (Higher tech might be to bore a tiny hole and use some sort of
fiber optic link through the wall??)
Click to expand...

You might consider setting up a wireless system with that
computer...with a built-in print server on the router. That way,
you'll be able to print without having the other computer turned
on...and you won't hafta worry about wires.
Thanks for all of the responses, not one of which was rude! :-)
Click to expand...

You caught us on a good day! lol


Have a nice week...

Trent

Follow Joan Rivers' example --- get pre-embalmed!
 
Some snipping this time - to keep the length down ...

kony ([email protected]) wrote:
: On Fri, 12 Mar 2004 18:20:54 +0000 (UTC), (e-mail address removed) (Ben
: Fullerton) wrote:
[...]
: >I know that I want a 'straight' cable. I just don't know which of the pins
: >to test for a *quick* check to see which it is that I already have.

: The lazy approach might be best... simply hook up the cable to the printer
: and see if it works. I'm assuming you don't have extremely long cables,
: that to get this length you were going to couple two or more. If each
: single cable won't work, alone, it wouldn't really matter if it's a
: crossover or not.

Except that the printer end is not the same as the parallel port end -
different style connector. .... but I can try it with the extension cable
in between and see if that works.
I was just a bit concerned that a crossover cable might short something
because of the crossover wires.
[...]
: >The one I have is old enough that the individual wire insulation and wire
: >size looks thicker and bigger than with some of my newer cables ... which
: >might give less 'cross-talk' because of the greater separation ...I hope.

: Possibly, all you can do is try it.

Ok, I suppose that can't do any damage.
[....]
: >settings if possible, I havn't a clue as to how to change the "transfer
: >rate" of the data being sent to the printer. Probably simpler to copy to a
: >floppy and take it to the other system.

: It's quite quick & easy, in the bios there's a page for integrated
: options, serial and parallel ports and such, where you can choose among
: SPP, EPP, ECP.
: You simply choose the one you want and save it, then windows may redetect
: the port.

Thanks for this info. I probably will not use it this time but will save
it for later reference.
I am hoping to find a zero cost solution that will not require anything
more than turning a printer cable switch - which I already have. NO
reboot or BIOS settings when I want to change printers.

: >this computer and the system with the printer in the next room. Nice and
: >low tech! (Higher tech might be to bore a tiny hole and use some sort of
: >fiber optic link through the wall??)

: It'd be a large hole though unless you're in the mood to sever the cable
: and reattach the plugs.

I would splice the wires about 3 inches from one plug. I have the tools
and experience for that. Of course, if my cable is a "crossover", I was
planning on redoing it to straight through.

: For some reason I was under the impression that the printer would not be
: sitting next to another computer... why not just network them and share
: the printer like that? For example you could use a couple of 802.11b or
: 11g cards or regular PCI network cards and run the UTP CAT5 cable through
: the wall or just a few inches of cable to couple a pair of wall jacks, one
: per each side of the wall.

Tried that with NICs. Frustration!!!!
The two NICs in my internet machine were same make but different build
with different drivers. With W98SE I could never get it to bring up the
second NIC for settings and leave the first one as-is for the Inet!

As all I wanted to do (then) was file transfers, I solved the problem with
a 128Mb Flash Disk for moving the files.

It is that sort of thing that makes me look for the KISS solutions. :-)
(KISS = Keep It Simple Stupid, for those who don't know.)

And, BTW, thanks again to all who offered help.

Ben F.
 
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