what's with my printer?

[MJCfromCT]

simple question to SysOpt members,

I have a printer lying around my house, its a HP LaserJet 3100, and i'd like to get it up and running...i don't have any of the cables that are for it, though...

In the back it has the plugs for power, and phone line plugs (its one of those multi-function things), and then what i'm assuming is the data plug, but i'm not sure what it is...to me it looks like a printer port, but a lot smaller...any idea what it is? and how i can hook it up to my computer? i have a picture of it, if that'll help clear anything up...thanks for the advice! :)

[Midknyte]

that's the type C centronics connector.

http://www.cablesnmor.com/1284c-cable.html

[Billforce]

Looks like a socket for a SCSI cable.

[MJCfromCT]

Midknyte,

Thanks a bunch, now if i could just scrounge up the money for the cable and toner :)

[MJCfromCT]

Billforce,

I'm glad i'm not the only one who thought that was scsi, i did a double-take at first, but thanks to Midknyte i'm pretty sure its A to C parallel cable

[Midknyte]

it's a centronics C for sure. HP even has a part number for it. The cables should have already come with the printer. I guess it just got misplaced. HP has been using the centronics C connectors for a while now.

[BipolarBill]

I have that printer/fax/scanner.

HP's cable is good quality and reasonable, but CompUSA should carry it as well. Various online cable stores have it too.

There may be a problem with multiple page feeding on the unit. There is a free separator pad upgrade available:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=bpl10045&locale=en_US

Also, you *need* the full CD to install the drivers:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?pnameOID=12013&locale=en_US&taskId=135&prodTypeId=18972&prodSeriesId=24352&submit.y=9&submit.x=12&cc=us#CDRom Order Page

[MJCfromCT]

BipolarBill,

Thanks for the heads-up about the drivers for this thing...i've never heard of it where you have to buy the drivers for a printer! Even though it'll only cost me $10.55, i still find that appalling

[ConfusedAlien]

Originally posted by MJCfromCT
simple question to SysOpt members,

I have a printer lying around my house, its a HP LaserJet 3100, what's with my printer?

everything, young one. absolutely everything. lol
i guess its whatever midnite told you. never seen that. is that an old type of connection bpb? its usually serial or usb nowadays i think...???

[MJCfromCT]

ConfusedAlien,

Yeah i know that newer printers are either parallel or usb hook-ups, but the main reason i'm interested in ressurecting this printer would be to take to college...its not like i'll be printing 10mb pictures while i'm there, the speed of that connection would be enough for me...and of course i wont have to spend 500 dollars on ink cartridges for printing out papers and whatnot :)

[BipolarBill]

The 3100 is worth your efforts. It's a wonderful unit.

[MJCfromCT]

BipolarBill,

Thanks for the vote of support, i'm definately going to look into it :)