How to connect an old HP LaserJet 5MP to a new iMac?

Question

Level 1

14 points

How to connect an old HP LaserJet 5MP to a new iMac?

Having the worst trouble -- for starters, the printer isn't recognized in Printer Setup Utility, though HP's on-line notes tell me that 10.6.4 has everything it needs for this printer. If so, where on iMac should I see the driver file or whatever it's called?

The printer is connected (as before) by way of a router and Ethernet, but the connection also goes via an AsanteTalk box. That was added years ago when I had difficulty connecting my last iMac, a G5, and I'm wondering if it's the problem because it's AppleTalk related and now AppleTalk is no more.

Where to start!? Help would be most appreciated.

Thanks . . . Fortes

iMac 21.5"/3.06 GHz, Mac OS X (10.6.4), iMac G5 and iPods

Posted on Jul 7, 2010 6:40 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 7, 2010 7:48 PM in response to fortes

First of all 10.6.4 has everything for this printer, as in software.
For your computer to see the HP you will probably need a JetDirect or similar intermediate connection.

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Answer 2

Jul 7, 2010 9:46 PM in response to fortes

Check here:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=11731413#11731413

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Answer 3

fortes Author

Level 1

14 points

Jul 7, 2010 10:15 PM in response to Bruce De Benedictis

Thanks, Bruce, but can't even imagine what a "6 ft USB to Parallel Printer Adapter - M/M" does, much less why I'd want one.

Though if, as I suspect, the faithful old AsanteTalk box must go, I will have to find some sort of adapter to receive the ancient circular printer outlet cable that has what I think is an AppleTalk symbol on it (2 opposing arrows). Does such a thing even exist? Still, it must be possible to connect the printer somehow.

Of course a new printer would cost less than a tenth of what the LaserJet 5MP cost me way back when but it's very solidly built and actually has a bunch of helpful guides -- for when it's working.

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Answer 4

Jul 7, 2010 10:35 PM in response to fortes

Those are cables available that connect parallel printer ports to USB ports. They cost about $10. That is one type of connection that works in 10.6.4.

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Answer 5

Jul 8, 2010 7:39 AM in response to fortes

yes, I fixed that problem by using printer sharing on an older mac that is networked. I have an old HP laserjet 5100 (about 10 years old). turning on printer sharing it would finally show up in snow leopard on my new computer..... but I have to have the old computer on all the time. dont think HP will ever or even can update because the firmware on the printer uses appletalk. keeps the economy running.

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Answer 6

Jul 8, 2010 10:50 AM in response to apple id number 11

In this case, the problem is not firmware, but the port. Apple never provided parallel ports, and they dropped the localtalk port a long time ago. The AsanteTalk box was a connection method to allow an old printer to a more modern computer. The printer is fine, and will work with a modern computer, but you need to update the connection method.

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Answer 7

direwolf8

Level 4

1,286 points

Jul 8, 2010 12:19 PM in response to fortes

Most, if not all, of the Asante boxes supported LPR printing in addition to Appletalk. If you can configure it for LPR printing you won't need to buy anything else.

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Answer 8

Jul 8, 2010 5:38 PM in response to direwolf8

AsanteTalk boxes do not support LPR.

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Answer 9

Jul 8, 2010 6:09 PM in response to Bruce De Benedictis

To add to that, the AsanteTalk boxes could not support any non-Appletalk protocol, because they connect to a port that only supports Appletalk.

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Answer 10

fortes Author

Level 1

14 points

Jul 8, 2010 8:26 PM in response to Bruce De Benedictis

Many thanks, Bruce and others -- good to know the way to go. I'll go get the cable, connect direct to USB and report back in few days.

(By the way, the link above doesn't seem right -- it shows a different connector).

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Answer 11

fortes Author

Level 1

14 points

Jul 16, 2010 6:45 PM in response to fortes

It's taken me a week to get hold of the necessary cable but still no joy, though I now realise my comment above about the link is wrong -- I didn't know about USB to Parallel Printer Adapters or what they looked like. So the link above is fine. Using the new cable and discarding the AsanteTalk box, I connected directly to the iMac.

There seems to be two ways to adjust printer settings, first via Command-P where one can add a printer (I chose Protocol: HP Jetdirect-Socket, and Address: my IP address, but then, after some on-line back and forth, there's a message "Network host [my IP address] is busy." The other is the Printer Setup Utility which leads me to Printer List and "You have no printers available" plus some buttons. When I click the Add button I get the message "Printer Setup Utility quit unexpectedly", then clicking on Reopen takes me back to "You have no printers available."

What I'm not seeing is a list of printers or any mention of the HP LaserJet 5MP.

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Answer 12

Jul 16, 2010 8:14 PM in response to fortes

From HP:
Printers with a LocalTalk port may still connect to the newer Macintosh computers with an Ethertalk to LocalTalk converter. Several developers, such as Asante and Proxim, offer an Ethertalk to LocalTalk solution. This device will then connect to a Hub or, in some cases, directly to the Macintosh (consult with the interconnection device manufacturer for specific cable and connection details).

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Answer 13

Jul 16, 2010 9:55 PM in response to fortes

You probably just need the USBTB software to connect to the printer. It is freeware. Once it is installed, the computer should recognize the printer automatically. You are not connecting by IP, and it should appear as a USB printer.

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Answer 14

fortes Author

Level 1

14 points

Jul 24, 2010 11:19 PM in response to Bruce De Benedictis

Got the cable and downloaded USBTB software but still no joy.

So a last question, please, before I say so long to the HP LaserJet: The links above take one to an illustration of a "6 ft USB to Parallel Printer Adapter - M/M", but the very similar item I bought from an Australian supplier lacks the M/M description. Is that (whatever it means) of any importance?

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Answer 15

Jul 25, 2010 2:37 AM in response to fortes

I have an old LaserJet 5L printer, which I use with a print server over LAN. I use Gutenprint drivers (come with Mac OS).

Here’s the print server I have: http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=322

I’ve had this setup for a few years, and it’s survived a couple of OS upgrades on several computers with no issues and no reconfiguring required.

It does require some initial configuration, though. It’s not plug-and-pray.

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