USB LPT Printer woes

[Ste_Harve]

Wonder if nyone can shed some light on this. We've got 3 intel LPT print servers. These have 3 ports on each. We've just ordered some Officejet Pro K5400's. These are USB. Is there anywhere that will supply a cable to convert from LPT connection. (Same as on the back of a computer) to the USB B (little square connector).

 

Thanks

[Heebeejeebee]

It's probably just a easy to get a new print server with USB and LTP ports. We had a similar proble a couple of years back and did exactly that.

 

HBJB

[SimpleSi]

Having seen many posts on this subject and from my own experiences the best way forward is to buy some HP USB print servers.

 

Time spent faffing with other solutions (that only work on Tuesdays with an R in the month) is not worth the outcome.

 

Since HP USB print servers cost £200 at the time I needed them (I believe they are about £100 last time I looked) - I resorted to

 

A - plugging printer direct into server - only works if server in suite - not a common arrangement

 

B - I used an old P400 machine - installed Ubuntu Breeezy and configured it as a print server underneath the printer - all sorts of issues - main one being that Ubuntu doesn't like working headless and thinks its attached to a 640x480 monitor

 

regards

 

Simon

[Ste_Harve]

Well this was a good morning. They're HP Jetdirect 500x after looking a bit closer at what we've got.

 

Can anyone recommend a model that will allow us to connect 2x USB Printers and 1 LPT printer. Or 3x USB printers?

[Geoff]

I used an old P400 machine - installed Ubuntu Breeezy and configured it as a print server underneath the printer - all sorts of issues - main one being that Ubuntu doesn't like working headless and thinks its attached to a 640x480 monitor

 

Use Ubuntu 6.06 LTS, in particular a server install to avoid these sorts of problems.

[SimpleSi]

How is a server install going to help an issue with Ubuntu's GUI?

 

regards

 

Simon

[DMcCoy]

No GUI

[SimpleSi]

I see I wasn't thinking outside of the box

 

regards

 

Simon

[contink]

Wonder if nyone can shed some light on this. We've got 3 intel LPT print servers. These have 3 ports on each. We've just ordered some Officejet Pro K5400's. These are USB. Is there anywhere that will supply a cable to convert from LPT connection. (Same as on the back of a computer) to the USB B (little square connector).

 

My advice would be to try swapping your original order to the K5400dn as that gives you onboard networking and a duplexer to boot.

 

If you're really stuck though I have a bunch of HP en3700 printservers that I over ordered so PM me if that helps.