USB to parallel converter losing my printer

Edited text of question

Does the port disable itself only if the printer is connected?

I can't  tell,  but the port does show as enabled in device manager even though the printer won't print.  I did disable the bidirectional printing and I still lost the port after reboot.

Run Add new hardware in control pannel and see if it finds anything. If it doesn't, try finding a newer driver for the USB on your mother board. Also check the resource settings and play with them a bit. Sometimes just by changing them you locate the device on a more stable setting.

Also, just try removing the port all together then restarting. Windows my find it and place it in a more stable setting on its own.

Ü

kvojik,
What version of Windows are you using?
Ralph

Hi Joel!
I'm curious.
Is the parallel adapter a device that requires power?
If so, does it have it's own power adapter or use the USB bus?
Ralph

It gets its power from the USB port.

I've read about other USB devices exhibiting flaky operation.
In some cases, it is reccomended that a power adapter be used if the device has a provision for it.
Ralph

Yes, that flaky operation is due to it being a new [and as of yet] flaky technology.  However it will not be long until they become more stable.

Joel R. Helgeson

Thanks for all the help and answers.  The company that made the part I;m having problems with wasn't willing to give me that much.  Thanks again.

P.S. I'm using win98

kvojik,
I'm still curious.....
What's the advantage gained by using such an adapter at all?
Why not use the enhanced parallel interface?
Ralph

I have two printers: one laserjet and one color.  I had been using a a-b-c-d switch to choose the printers.  I thought that by hooking one printer to the usb and one to the parallel port I could eliminate having to reach down and turn the switch every time I wanted to change printers.  (Sometimes I forget to turn the switch and I have to unplug the printer to stop it from spitting out pages printed with weird characters).

 I know that their are automatic switches avialable, but I also have my laplink and camera hooked to the switch. So far I haven't been able to find a four connector automatic switch. Belkin says they have one in the works but not available yet.

I have two printers: one laserjet and one color.  I had been using a a-b-c-d switch to choose the printers.  I thought that by hooking one printer to the usb and one to the parallel port I could eliminate having to reach down and turn the switch every time I wanted to change printers.  (Sometimes I forget to turn the switch and I have to unplug the printer to stop it from spitting out pages printed with weird characters).

 I know that their are automatic switches avialable, but I also have my laplink and camera hooked to the switch. So far I haven't been able to find a four connector automatic switch. Belkin says they have one in the works but not available yet.

Printing from the usb is supposed to be faster too.

It is possible to add another parallel port (or two) to your computer.
The add-on cards are very inexpensive, and should eliminate the need for a trouble-prone switchbox. (sooner or later, they all cause trouble!)
Regards,
Ralph

Thanks. I think I will  try an additional port card. Too bad, I was trying to avoid rearranging all my add in- cards so that a new one would fit!

And after all, this is the exact reason why USB was invented.

The Universal Serial Bus (USB) will do for PCs what the tortilla did for Mexican food:  Work with a range of applications.  Make set-up fast and easy.  Please hungry consumers.

We just need to wait until they perfect the recepie.

Joel

It might take a while.........
I read about an Intel camera that won't work with their own early-version USB chipsets!

It just needs to make it through that awkward *pubesent* growth stage.  Once it grows past that stage it should be a bona-fide kick butt technology.