Dekcell CPA-1028 USB to Parallel Printer Adapter

Discount Price: $6.35

Features:

• The USB-Parallel printer adapter allows your PC to print with parallel printer devices connected through the USB port. Plug the USB connector of the cable into the USB port of your PC, and the other end into the connector of the standard parallel printer.
• USB 1.1 Specification (1.0 Compliant). Compatible with all parallel printers. USB Full-Speed (12Mbps) with Bus-Power. True Bidirectional. Parallel Communication.
• Requirements: Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP
• Package Contents: 1 x USB-Parallel Printer cable, 3ft long, 1 x Driver software on CD.
• Brand new, 1 year warranty!

Customer Reviews:

Does, indeed, work with Vista [Posted on 2008-01-18]
I bought this adaptor because of the previous review, though I was still concerned whether it would work with Vista and my old printer, an HP720. But it did work with Vista, though I had to use the printer cd to load the driver.

My only advice is to read the directions first. I had to uninstall everything and start over because I attached the adaptor to the printer and computer in the wrong order and couldn't get it to work at first. I didn't pay under $3 as the previous reviewer since they're only offered by other sellers than Amazon. But it was still well worth $7 plus shipping.

It really works [Posted on 2008-02-19]
Make sure a three foot cable is long enough
Plugged it into my old reliable Epson LQ ESC P2 impact printer
Plugged other end into Win XP box
Clicked Start | Printers and Faxes | Add Printer | Local Printer
Choose USB port in the port dropdown
If you don't plug it in first, you won't see USB port as a choice.
If you decide to plug it into a different USB port, you'll have to delete the printer and add the printer again using the other USB port in the dropdown.
Works like a champ.

Finally got it to work - Vista and DeskJet 500 [Posted on 2008-03-05]
I bought this cable (and another one) and couldn't get either one to work. I don't know where reviewer #2 saw any directions - there was no paperwork whatsoever with the cable. There was a mini disc with several folders, but none of them had any readme files or anything I could descern as english. (I ended up not using the disc for anything).

I attached the USB end to my new Vista desktop first. Vista then automatically installed the driver for it. (Watch the lower right hand side of your screen to see the install happen). Then I attached the other end to my old DeskJet 500 printer, went to Printers (under control panel) and clicked on Add a Printer. Choose 'Add a Local Printer'.

Then it asks for the port designation, which is where I went astray. Other reviews said to pick the USB port that you plugged the cable into. I spent much time trying to determine what that port's name was, eventually deciding it was Port_#0007.Hub_#0001. It took that port name but would not work - my computer thought it printed (i.e., the print queue emptied) but nothing printed.

Actually Vista was making it easy for me - I just didn't know it. When Vista "installs' the cable - which happens when it is first plugged into the USB port - Vista creates a port called 'USB001 Virtual printer port for USB'. That's the one to select from the list (click the arrow to see the list) when the Add printer wizard asks for the Port. Once I did that - guess what? Both cables worked just fine.

The other cable was the Sabrent. I am using it as it is a foot longer.

Too short [Posted on 2008-05-11]
Note first that the parallel end goes directly onto your printer. You do not connect this onto the end of an existing cord. I made that mistake first.

The seller makes no mention of how short the cord length really is. Unless your computer is located directly next to your printer, you will NEED a USB extension cord. I was fortunate to have an extra USB extension cord lying around.

Otherwise, this device worked perfectly. I am running on vista and lost the old installation software for my printer, and it still ran perfectly. I am not guaranteeing that for all operating systems.

Not a good product [Posted on 2008-06-25]
This cable does not work for my setup (new Windows Vista) with an old Epson printer. There was no instruction on what to install. The "auto launch" feature of the CD did not work on Vista. After 1 hour of trying different drivers, I gave up. It was relatively cheap so I didn't bother contacting the vendor.

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