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Driver for Parallel Port card in Windows 7

(5 posts)
  • Started 3 years ago by ericgumm
  • Latest reply from SoulTrader
  • Topic Viewed 28729 times

ericgumm
Posts: 2

I have a terrific "old" printer (an HP LaserJet 2100) that only has a parallel connector and I have a new desktop machine with Windows 7 (64bit) that, of course, does not have a parallel port. I purchased a PCI card on-line to install in the machine to add the port, but there are no drivers available for Windows 7 and I have searched for them and contacted the distributor (in Hong Kong) but thought I would get better and more knowledgeable results from this group. Has someone else been able to do this? Can you point me to a driver that will make this work, please?

The PCI card uses the MosChip MCS9865, and when I try to use the Vista 64bit drivers to Install, the system opens up a window that asks if I want to install or exit and after pressing install, it indicates that I am unable to do so and only leaves me the option to exit. No security dialog boxes come up or anything like that. Thanks for any help you can give me!

Posted 3 years ago #
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ProstheticHead
ProstheticHead
Posts: 3281

Hi ericgumm. The 2100 is indeed an excellent printer :)

Tried this yet? I think the WHQL for Vista should be a safe bet.

Posted 3 years ago #
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ericgumm
Posts: 2

ProtheticHead,

Thanks for your post. Unfortunately, I had the same experience with the WHQL driver that I did with the other Vista 64-bit driver - it downloads and when I extract it all and press the Install button, it will then grey out the install button and it says "Installation is aborted. Press "Exit" to close the application." This is extrememly frustrating! Am I doing something wrong? Is there some step I need to take to get the system to allow the driver to install? Any help is REALLY appreciated!!!

Thanks!

Posted 3 years ago #
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ProstheticHead
ProstheticHead
Posts: 3281

As far as I can remember the Hp 2100 is network-able, or can be expanded with a network card. Maybe that would be a BETTER option? Search for Hp 2600 network card. They are cheap enough on ebay. (UK)

From my own personal experience, I've found this type of hardware (the "made in china" type) to be poorly supported under windows (Xp & Vista) yet other OS can utilize them ok under their OWN generic drivers.

Posted 3 years ago #
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SoulTrader
Posts: 1

I too am using a PCI parallel printer card to run an HP printer (Laserjet 6P) with Windows 7 (64-Bit). I found Windows 7 drivers for this card from Sweex: HERE. This card also uses MosChip MCS9865. Drivers should update automatically once the card is installed and the printer connected, and you just have to make sure that you install the updates (there will likely be two of them).

I got the printer working more or less okay. HOWEVER the drivers (or something about the card) seem to be responsible for crashing Windows 7 in the boot-up, with the result that it automatically asks for a system restore.

I have been having mobo problems (SATA drives not recognised - that'll be the last time I buy an "as-new" mobo rather than a really new one!), so I hope that the replacement mobo will cure the parallel port issue too.

Here's hoping...

Hope this helps somebody, anyway...

Posted 3 years ago #
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