older HP printer on Vista

[jkleslie]

Download and install the free VMWare server, create a new system, install NT/Win2K/XP (if you have an older copy) or linux (free) on it, install the printer to that system using a virtual port, share it out, add the shared printer to Vista, and print to it when needed.

It's a long and free way around using your old printer until you can get something more recent.

[redwudz]

My old HP printer turned out to be a 950C , which installed with no problem, but I did have to use a rear USB port. Apparently with USB printers, Vista does the install automatically. If your printer has a parallel cable capability, and you have a cable handy, you might try that as that doesn't seem to be automatic. I'm encoding two Xvids at the same time with the computer at present, so access is somewhat limited. I'll check it when they finish.

[tgm4883]

wel the OS came at a reduced price...

a very reduced price

extremely reduced

meaning downloaded from bit torrent? Or some other form of p2p file sharring. better watch out because bill gates is a member of videohelp.

Way to go, give the guy the benefit of the doubt. I'm a student and have Vista too at an extremely reduced price. I "acquired" it and didn't pay a single dime. It's doing a lot of good though sitting on my shelf, as it broke a couple weeks after installing it. Didn't see my old HP scanner either. Was just testing it out though so I gave up on it and went back to Linux.

[gooberguy]

cant use parallel cable, its a laptop with USB only.

also vista wont even print through the printer if it is shared, i tried to while it was connect to my XP computer and all it can say is driver install failed

[AlanHK]

Looks like you've reached a dead end here.

Better to ask at a more appropriate forum.

The usenet group news://comp.periphs.printers would be your best bet, available on Google at http://groups.google.com/groups?&group=comp.periphs.printers if you don't have usenet access.
You need to register with Google to make posts.

[ofbarea]

Download and install the free VMWare server, create a new system, install NT/Win2K/XP (if you have an older copy) or linux (free) on it, install the printer to that system using a virtual port, share it out, add the shared printer to Vista, and print to it when needed.

This is a great idea. I just did this with MS Virtual PC 2007. I installed W2K + all SP and through this emulated environment i was able to use a parallel printer (for test) and a serial port Minidisc controller that came with my MDS-PC2.