help with IEEE 1284 to USB with PB G4

Hi,
I'm trying to use a +USB to IEEE 1284+ (36 pin) parallel cable to connect a Powerbook G4 with a great working Epson Stylus Photo 1280 (large print). I purchased such a cable from +Cables Unlimited+ at the local microcenter for about $30. But when I hook it up, the Mac can't see the printer (via Epson USB or default). The cables packaging says: +USB specs version 1.1 compliant and provides bridging between the USB port and a parallel printer port.+ I've done restarts, replugs, and different things in printer prefs, but it won't see the Epson 1280 with this cable.

The reason I'm using this port is because I want the G4 to be patched directly to printer's parallel port, because I'm using the serial bus (serial to USB) to hook the printer into my WAN network using my Belkin router with Print Serving.

I know the wireless printing works via the Belkin, because people can cruise around the office with laptops picking up the signal and printing using CUPS or Gutenprint. I have one PB G4 which his _used as a desktop with cinema display_, I want it hard wired and the only port available is the parallel port: so I bought this cable hoping this would work.

*Is there some driver I need to make the cable work?*
*Can the printer handle data from both plugs/ports?*
*Any feedback / advice?*

Thanks
bc-

MacBook Pro Core Duo 2 GHz, 15", Mac OS X (10.5.6), Aluminum PB G4, iBook 14" 1GHz, Tbook 700MHz, Wallstreet

Posted on Mar 4, 2009 9:31 PM

Reply
3 replies

Mar 5, 2009 6:00 AM in response to bluecool

As Greg mentioned, it is doubtful that you can use both ports on the printer at the same time. I also have an Epson SP 1280. I also have an Epson SC 800. If I have both connected to a USB hub, the Epson software cannot see the Epson SP 1280. If I unplug the Epson SC 800, everything is fine.

To test the parallel to USB adapter, unplug the USB connection from the printer. leave the parallel to USB adapter connected to your computer. Restart your computer and see if you can now use the Epson printer.

Epson printers are generally very tolerant of whatever parallel to USB adapter you use. They generally just work.

Matt

Mar 5, 2009 10:29 AM in response to Matt Broughton

Very interesting. I just got back from returning the Parallel/USB cable, and when I was at the store I talked to a tech there. He felt it would be difficult to (still) find a driver for Tiger that would allow any USb/Parallel cable to speak with the Epson SP1280. (I'll check that site Greg).

Of course, he pushed buying a new printer with wireless networking, but I pulled him back to focusing on helping me solve my problem. He said they used to carry a serial hub that allowed multiple USB connections to the printer. What?

+I do think the printer can handle printer can handle both ports at the same time (not sending data at same moment) but two connections. I had it running with a D-link print server which ran Parallel to Parallel to the printer, and ethernet to any router I had. That worked for around the house wireless printer, but I also plugged the stationary PB G4 directly to the printer via USB. Printer accepted data from both... especially complex photos and files. I took that little network apart because the old router broke.+

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help with IEEE 1284 to USB with PB G4

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