Most modern printers and multifunctional devices are connected to a PC via a USB cable. Windows operating systems of various versions are capable of detecting many of their models and automatically installing standard type drivers. But often the question arises of how to connect an old printer to a new computer, because not all users of office equipment have acquired new devices. Many older printing devices have an LPT port, which is usually not found in newer personal computers. It is still possible to solve such a problem with a competent approach, and for this, carefully read the recommendations listed below.
Ways to solve the problem
So, in order to connect the old printing device to the computer, first of all try to find the LPT connector on the PC motherboard. The fact is that some motherboards released relatively recently have a similar connector, just its connector was not brought out to the rear panel of the system unit. To find the answer to this question, carefully read the documentation that came with the motherboard. If your PC really does have LPT, then purchase a bracket with a suitable connector and carefully install it into the case. In this case, do not forget to connect the cable from the bracket to the block located on the motherboard.
But if the corresponding controller is not on the motherboard, then you will have to purchase a special PCI expansion card with an LPT port and install it in your computer. Another option for solving the above problem is to connect an old printer using a USB-LPT adapter – perhaps it is not so widely represented in specialized retail outlets, but it is still not so difficult to find it.
Making the old device a printer server
Most often, an older printer can be used in small offices as a common printing device for all computers located in the room. To do this, this device is connected to one of the PCs using one of the above methods, after which they open general network access to it. To do this, follow these steps:
- Find the Devices and Printers submenu in the Start menu and navigate to it.
- In the window that opens, find the icon with the name of your device and right-click on it to open its properties.
- In the new window with printer properties, find the “Sharing” tab, where you need to check the box next to the item that implies sharing this device. After that save the made change by pressing the “OK” button.
Thus, you make a PC with an old printer connected to it a kind of “print server”. All nodes included in the common local network will work with the device through this server. Network computers, in fact, must find this equipment in automatic mode. If this does not happen, then you will need to click on “Add a printer”, going to the section with devices and printers.
In the opened dialog box of the Add New Hardware Wizard, you need to click on the link that adds a new printer. Then the computer’s operating system will start searching for devices on the network that are currently available. At the end of the search, you will be presented with a list of found devices, among which you should select the desired office equipment. If the required printer is missing, then click on the appropriate link, and then browse the network manually. The key problem with such a “shared” printer is that it will be available as long as the corresponding PC is in an active (turned on) state.
It should be added that if you want to “disconnect” your device from a specific PC, then use a special print server. It means a micro-computer of a special type, which is equipped for connection with a local network with an RJ-45 connector and ports for connecting printing devices. This device has an IP address and is displayed on the local network as one of its nodes. It should be added that in addition to the standard USB ports for our days, many models of such micro-computers of this type have an LPT port. Thus, purchasing this type of device is another way to establish a reliable and stable connection between the old model printer and the new computer.
More expensive print servers have two network interfaces at once, one of which is wired and the other is wireless. As for the order of connection and further configuration, they are directly dependent on the specific model and brand of such a device. One of the main advantages of using a print server scheme is that the old model printer will no longer depend on any PC. Moreover, when organizing such a scheme, the device scanner (if any) also becomes available to other users of the local network.