VMWare issue?

Question

VMWare issue?

I have been running a MacBook Pro with OSX 10.5.8. I needed to use it with Windows XP (SP2) running an old Risograph RP 3700 printer through a USB to RISO PARALLEL PORT cable (called Prolific Technology Inc IEEE 1284 Controller) running under the VMWare Fusion environment (a simulator) - it all worked very smoothly.

I now have Windows 7, 64 bit, and Windows 7, 32 bit, and XP SP3 all running happily (only one at a time!) in the updated VMWare Fusion environment.

I still want to print to the older printer (Risograph RP 3700) which I have to use regularly, but I now have a MacBook Pro running 10.7.2 (Lion) with updated VMWare (64 bit) running on it when required.

Using the same cable (prolific IEEE 1284), the RISO WON'T PRINT FROM the new Mac in XP (now SP3). The IEEE 1284 cable is recognised immediately, but as a printer. However, the Riso isn't recognised through it, being the only way to connect the printer to the computer, and which worked so well before.

ANY CHANCE anyone knows what I can do to get the Riso to print from the new computer arrangement??? OR what I am not doing that I should be, or doing that I shouldn't be??

I have done all I understand to do and I am completely foxed.

Simonfromtiverton

Posted on Dec 29, 2011 11:31 AM

Reply

Answer 1

sig

Level 8

35,862 points

Dec 29, 2011 1:10 PM in response to simonfromtiverton

You really should be contacting the folks at VMWare.

Reply

Answer 2

Dec 30, 2011 2:07 AM in response to sig

Thanks for that, I have also contacted VMWare. My limited experience is that users often have practical experience which they are happy to pass on.

Reply

Answer 3

Shootist007

Level 6

16,709 points

Dec 30, 2011 5:36 AM in response to simonfromtiverton

Have you thought about using the old computer as a type of print server for that printer, since it works off the old system, and networking the new MBP to the old system.

Reply

Answer 4

Dec 30, 2011 10:21 AM in response to Shootist007

Thanks for that idea.

Apart from not understanding how to actually carry out the procedure, it was intended that the original computer should be passed on to my daughter, and which wouldn't then be available to me. If it wasn't being passed on, I would have kept it going. I didn't realise what I was letting myself in for!

Reply

Answer 5

Shootist007

Level 6

16,709 points

Dec 30, 2011 12:26 PM in response to simonfromtiverton

I really don't think it is a VMware problem or a problem that you are now running XP SP3, instead of SP2.

I think it is more a XP/printer driver issue or that for some reason the USB ports on the MBP are not being totally recognized by the virtual machine.

Have you installed the VMware Tools? You could try reinstalling them.

Check the VM settings and one thing I always do is set the network into bride mode. That for me actually ties the VM to the host OS better.

Reply