atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Computers & Programming Computers, Software, Accessories A good solution for no LPT port

I was just given a new Dell Latitude D520 for work. It's pretty nice. It even has a DB9 serial port! In this day and age, that seems rare. Anyway, I didn't realize something it didn't have until I went to use it and it wasn't there.

It doesn't have the DB25 printer port. I need to find a good alternative solution, since I occasionally have to use a DB25 parallel dongle for upgrading software on Comdial DSUII phone systems.

Has anyone found a good alternative?

Thanks!

Go to your nearest computer supply or pick up the phone, a lot of companies now make converters that covert the LPT port into a USB port. They work pretty good too

If you don't have USB you might be heart-pressed to find something other than a DB9 DB25 converter.

https://www.knightdiscounts.com/Computer/detail_usbtoprinter.htm
https://www.shentech.com/cabusbtoserr.html <best deal, USB to DB9, attach included piece to get DB25!

https://www.monoprice.com/products/search.asp?keyword=2277

I think all of those I listed have 6' cords too, might make it easier for you.

OR... you can get a small DB9 to DB25 converter such as these:
https://www.pccables.com/cgi-bin/orders6.cgi?action=Showitem&partno=31020&rsite=f.31020
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...5&ATT=12-116-205&CMP=OTC-Froogle
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290017287760&category=64047

Make sure you get the right male/female formats.

I'm not a Comdial guy so I'm not familiar with the process, but if the software and cabling is designed for the LPT, then I wouldn't put much stock in a 9-25 converter working off a Serial port. There are some PCMCIA Cards that may fix your issue though.

Mac's solution is a little more expensive than the ones I listed above: https://compusb.stores.yahoo.net/pcmcia-lpt-pcmcia-printer-port.html.

5 years, any of those work for you?

I have had issues using usb to serial adapters because a lot of times the saftware that connects will not recognise a usb port. We have that issue with the carrier air conditioning controls.

[/QUOTE]I'm not a Comdial guy so I'm not familiar with the process, but if the software and cabling is designed for the LPT, then I wouldn't put much stock in a 9-25 converter working off a Serial port. There are some PCMCIA Cards that may fix your issue though. [/QB][/QUOTE]

Trace you are right that will not work. The dongle counts the number of times you install the software and will work only through a parallel port. In fact it is so touchy, that some times you have to turn off the EPP on the parallel port in order to make it work.