I have an HP Printer Laserjet 5 and am upgrading my computer Help!

melw · 03 Jul 2017

I have an HP Printer Laserjet 5 and am upgrading my computer from a 2 gig ram xp to a new computer with Windows 7 .
I cannot use the old connections and cables from my xp computer to the new computer that has Windows 7. It does not have the same plug connections as the old one.
I can only use a usb plug
How can I get my laserjet 5 to work with this newer desktop computer? hpe-519c hp pavilion elite
What cables are needed? What drivers are needed? Where do get the drivers? How can we get this printer working like it was before on the older computer?
Need Help.

fireberd · 03 Jul 2017

The old LJ5 may not be Windows 10 compatible, as the first issue. Second issue is the obsolete Parallel interface. All the USB to Parallel adapters I've seen or saw reported are not compatible with HP printers. IF it has Win 10 drivers, a PCIe card with Parallel interface is the best option.

I did a quick search and did not come up with any Windows 10 drivers.

I used a LaserJet 5 in 1994, I don't know how old yours is but it may be time to consider a new printer.

melw · 03 Jul 2017

I am not using windows 10 ,i using windows 7
I hear that lots of people who use hp 5 printer and windows 7 did get it to work fine.
By some type of download and new way to connect the hp5 and the new computer with operating system 7
Need to have directions

Berton · 03 Jul 2017

Second issue is the obsolete Parallel interface. All the USB to Parallel adapters I've seen or saw reported are not compatible with HP printers.

As mentioned. I tried one and the problem wasn't with the adapter but with HP not recognizing the adapter as a port. Not having the Parallel Port IEEE1284 adapter built into the motherboard doesn't help, quite common for newer computers not to have it.
Drivers:
HP laser jet 5 driver for windows 7 - HP Support Forum - 1267349
But some folks do have trouble. If it were me I'd get an HP Laserjet 1006 or newer, a simple print-only that does a good job. I picked up an HP LaserJet Pro MFP M26nw 3-in-1 [no FAX] at Wal*Mart a couple of months ago for $139.

Total · 03 Jul 2017

Could you not connect the printer via network ?

Berton · 03 Jul 2017

Probably could use a networkable print server but it has been a long time since I worked with that old a printer, may no longer be a parallel port print server available [probably needs the Ethernet connection to a Router]. Both my LJ and OJ are capable of Ethernet Wired and Wireless Networking.

play2mefish · 03 Jul 2017

Here is what I would do: Order a parallel print server like the one from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-TL-PS...l+print+server

Connect the printer to the parallel port and the adapter to the network, and the configure Windows 7 to print to the printer. It will work.

TrustMe · 03 Jul 2017

My HP 5L is still going strong. I too tried the USB to parallel port cable which didn't work. Just buy a PCI or PCI Express parallel port card. My card worked great with Windows 7 and 10. Windows 10 installed its own drivers for the card and printer.

pbcopter · 04 Jul 2017

I have an HP series II LaserJet printer (much older than the 5) and it works fine with Windows 7 , 8.1 and 10. I use a parallel print server to connect the printer to my systems. Windows has the appropriate drivers but you may have to use Windows update during the installation to get them.

I have to ask, based on your statement that you are using Windows 7, why are you posting in a Windows 10 forum?

SevenForums

melw · 04 Jul 2017

I was not aware that was a 7th Group Forum
I've been using my old computer with XP for years and it only had 2 gig of RAM so I upgraded to the Windows 7 with a new computer but it did not have the connection for the HP 5 as we had on the old computer
Where can I get a step-by-step Direction on how to use the HP 5 on the newer
Computer what type of cable do I need and the directions and how to do it would appreciate it thank you Mel