Identify this old printer parallel port

Turner · 28-09-2020 10:39am #1

Have an old laserjet printer I would like to get going again.

It would normally be connected by network cable however the network card in it is shot.

It has what appears to be a mini parallel port, very mini compared to a normal parallel cable.

Im hoping by now there is a wireless parallel adaptor that fits this port to set up the printer wirelessly.

Can anybody identify it or offer advice.

Cordell · 28-09-2020 10:44am

IIRC that is a Centronics parallel port.
Search "Centronics parallel to DB25" or "Centronics parallel to USB" and you'll get options.
Or this https://www.trendnet.com/products/product-detail?prod=100_TEW-P1PG

smuggler.ie · 28-09-2020 10:48am

Cordell wrote: »

IIRC that is a Centronics parallel port.
Search "Centronics parallel to DB25" or "Centronics parallel to USB" and you'll get options.

Cant recognize 25 pin , more like SCSI, just clips missing

Turner · 28-09-2020 10:51am

Mine appears to be 18 pin?

Metric Tensor · 28-09-2020 10:53am

I know it says parallel but it looks very like a SCSI port to me too.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCSI#/media/File:Scsi-connectors.jpg

Cordell · 28-09-2020 10:54am

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/Centronics.jpg
This is the Centronics parallel connector and from here it looks it will match yours perfectly.

Turner · 28-09-2020 10:57am

Cordell wrote: »

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/Centronics.jpg
This is the Centronics parallel connector and from here it looks it will match yours perfectly.

Perfect, it does appear to be a match.

Now if only there was a wireless version of this.

Im sure there is a usb version but wireless would be ideal for a few computers in the house to use it.

Cordell · 28-09-2020 11:03am

There was one, I posted a link in my prev post, but it's discontinued. Maybe you'll be able to find one on ebay...
Maybe you can also use the USB adapter with a Raspberry Pi.

swampgas · 28-09-2020 11:04am

Turner wrote: »

Mine appears to be 18 pin?

From the photo it looks like a 36 Pin (2 x 18) Centronics connector, you could search for "Cen36".

Something like this might work.

https://manhattanproducts.us/products/manhattan-en-full-speed-usb-c-to-cen36-parallel-printer-converter-152525

Edit - I see Cordell beat me to it.

MrMusician18 · 28-09-2020 11:09am

Looks like you need this:
https://www.sotel.de/en/Computer-Drucker/Netzwerktechnik/Netzwerktechnik/PrintServer/TP-LINK-Single-Parallel-Port-Fast-Ethernet-Print-Server-Ethernet-LAN.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwk8b7BRCaARIsAARRTL6O_CGW636jgxaXHZIFSwnAw-ZWsH9o8eR5LIN3fIJwzWjOYGiSEOUaAnLcEALw_wcB&cur=0

Startech also do one on Amazon

Cordell · 28-09-2020 11:12am

On the other hand, for less than 100 you'll get a new wifi enabled laser printer for which you'll also find cheap 3rd party toner and drum cartridges.

BailMeOut · 30-09-2020 12:28pm

Not wifi but I have a very old lasterjet and use an USB to Parallel cable and it works perfectly

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sabrent-Parallel-Printer-Adapter-CB-CN36-Black/dp/B00IDU0T1Y/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1LGA1KA5T5WPX&dchild=1&keywords=usb+to+parallel+printer+cable&qid=1601465296&sprefix=usb+to+parall%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-3

Skerries · 30-09-2020 10:04pm

what model of laserjet is it?

Identify this old printer parallel port

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