Q: does anybody know where to buy a centronics cable?

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=20651

USB Parallel Printer Adapter

An appropriate USB-to-parallel adapter would be needed in the first place (Mac drivers may or may not be available or required for this device). An adapter piece or cable combination would then have to be introduced in order to successfully connect to the special HP port. I have once helped doing this with a PC laptop (without a parallel port) and an HP LaserJet 1100; the difficult part was locating the adapter/cable for the latter. You may want to try an Internet search for a suitable supplier. This web page (found through a random Google search) could possibly be of interest.

Jan

Click on the "Support" link on that Belkin page and it takes you to:

http://www.belkin.com/support/product/?lid=en&pid=F5U002v1

Where installation help is offered for:
• Windows 200/XP
• Windows 98/98SE
• Widows ME

and that is all. I don't think that is going to work with a Mac.

I've tried a few Belkin products that claim to be PC only, that work on a Mac... but it is a bit hit 'n miss. Best to stick with a supported one like the Keyspan i guess : )

http://www.fosh.com.au/products/ks-upc.html

Hi,

Please note that you would need both a USB-to-parallel adapter (which contains electronic circuits and has a standard/large CEN-36 connector) and a suitable adapter piece (or cable), if your HP printer is equipped with the small mini-centronics port.

It is probably wise to choose a USB-to-parallel adapter that clearly is said to work with Macs. However, since many of these adapters seem to use chipsets from a limited number of manufacturers, it may be possible to find device drivers for Macintosh computers separately (if needed at all).

You will also have to consider the actual printer drivers.

Jan