Connect an old parallel HP LaserJet 6P printer to MacBook Pros (Mac OS X 10.5.8 and 10.8.2)?

dmdimon wrote:

there was thingy, called network print server. Not a full-blown server, just modem-sized box. Still can be found.

Also there are network modules (from HP itself) to upgrade ordinary printers to their networked counterparts.

This gives possibility to convert it to networked one.

Do you have the URLs to these network modules? I have never heard or seen them before. Network printer server, do wireless exist? I only saw the wired ones which are too far between the printer and router and switch. 😟

dmdimon wrote:

http://www.sweex.com/en/assortiment/internet-networking/printservers/pr101/

http://trendnet.com/products/proddetail.asp?status=view&prod=100_TEW-P1PG&cat=25

http://www.seh-technology.com/products/print-servers/printer-interfaces/parallel /ps54a-g.html

or

http://www.cdw.com/shop/search/Printers-Scanners-Print-Supplies/Print-Servers/re sult.aspx?w=PA

google for 'wireless network print server lpt'

Thanks. Some of these look old since they mention 10.6. I hope they work fine in 10.8.x. http://www.sweex.com/en/assortiment/internet-networking/printservers/pr101/ doesn't seem to support Macs.

sig wrote:

HP JetDirect 300x

Wow, expensive and NewEgg shows low scores. 😟

dmdimon wrote:

purchase cheap old used laptop with wifi and parallel, attach printer to it and share in network. will 100% work and I think cost around 100$

Yeah, but my client didn't want to use another computer and power AC.

So physical cables and adapters are not possible, right?

sig wrote:

You could try a usb to parallel printer cable.

http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-SBT-UPPC-Parallel-6-Foot-Printer/dp/B0007UVRVO

Doesn't work return it.

Thanks. I will have to see if local Los Angles/L.A. area retail stores carry that one (Best Buy, Walmart, Costco, Radio Shack, Fry's Electronics, etc.).

OK, so we tried a GearHead parallel+USB adapter cable (http://pcgearhead.com/iFrame/usb-hubs.php?PrdID=1217 ) to replace the old parallel printer cable on two different MacBook Pros (15" 2008 model with Mac OS X 10.5.8 and 13.3" mid-2012 model with Mac OS X 10.8.2). Both of them detected the printer correctly (10.5.8 didn't even ask to download, 10.8.2 asked me to download HP drivers first).

Print Tests in Mac OS X:

V10.5.8 seems to sit forever even though the printer was waiting. Here's a screen shot/capture of it in action: http://i.imgur.com/ws9tRys.gif ...

V10.8.2 actually prints, but it's all printer/computer codes or whatever and nonstop even though it was only ONE page with one line ("test 123" in Office's Word!). We had to shut the printer off to stop since Mac OS X's printer options and disconnecting USB cable could stop it.

So, does this mean this won't work at all or something else?

Thank you in advance. 🙂

FYI from more fiddling tonight in the old MBP's Mac OS X 10.5.8 only. I did not download and install the linked drivers yet.

http://i.imgur.com/tTdvOk4.gif -- Scanned Self Test/Configuration Printout -- Note its 2 MB of RAM and nothing about PostScript.

Tried the provided driver with Gutenprint v5.1.3 in Mac OS X 10.5.8 this time (will try 10.8.2 later on since I am tired right now from a long work day):

http://i.imgur.com/XDDjcyw.png

http://i.imgur.com/wr3gOHn.png

http://i.imgur.com/daJ8pca.png (3 MB is the smallest in its list!)

Still can't print anything (stuck).

I give up for now. Hopefully, these reveal more details for you guys. 😉