I have an HP LJ 4200dtn at home w/a parallel cable, but my laptop does not have a parallel port/plug. The printer does not have a network cable plug on the back, but I'm thinking I can either get a parallel-to-cat 5 cable to connect it to the router, or install a card w/a cat 5 plug to do this. Any ideas/recommendations? The printer came from work where we have them networked, but this one must not have been previously networked (or if it was, they didn't give me that cable to do it).

Thanks, in advance, for any suggestions.

If you want to network one of the options is a jetdirect card from hp or an external jetdirect print server. A lot cheaper option would be to get a usb to parallel cable. Good luck with whichever you choose.

There are print server adapters that takes a parallel printer and makes it RJ-45 network ready. Requires a little bit of know-how to set up.

There are also inexpensive adapters that convert parallel to USB. I had to get a number to those when we upgraded PCs at the office, only to discover that the new PCs didn't have parallel ports. Plug and play.

Your model number, DTN, the "N" is an HP designator for "network". You sure you don't have an RJ-45 plug on the printer?

So something like this: TRENDnet - TE100-P1P. - 10/100Mbps Multi-Protocol Network Print Server via Single Parallel Port at TigerDirect.com (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=443250&CatId=206) should do the trick?

My thought (with this) is that I can plug it into the router, and be able to access it wirelessly from my laptop. Is that right? Or would it require some other device (e.g., a print server thing)?

So something like this: TRENDnet - TE100-P1P. - 10/100Mbps Multi-Protocol Network Print Server via Single Parallel Port at TigerDirect.com (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=443250&CatId=206) should do the trick?

Yes. You can find them at various local stores too.

My thought (with this) is that I can plug it into the router, and be able to access it wirelessly from my laptop. Is that right? Or would it require some other device (e.g., a print server thing)?

Should work fine. I do that. When you set up the IP settings on the little printer server, you'll need to configure a static IP address so it doesn't change everytime you restart the printer.

Would this one: TRENDnet TEW-P1PG Wireless Print Server - 54Mbps, 802.11g, Parallel Port at TigerDirect.com (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1642815&CatId=371) work better, as it would plug directly into the back of the printer?

Would this one: TRENDnet TEW-P1PG Wireless Print Server - 54Mbps, 802.11g, Parallel Port at TigerDirect.com (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1642815&CatId=371) work better, as it would plug directly into the back of the printer?

Sure, as long as you have the space behind the printer to actually plug it in. HP likes to hide their connectors under cover plates.

Qualify: it won't "work better", but it may save the hassle of a direct wire hookup. Also allows a bit of flexibility in where you put the printer.

BTW, how was the weather this weekend? Did you guys get much of a blow from the storm?

BTW, how was the weather this weekend? Did you guys get much of a blow from the storm?

It's been in the upper 80s, a little humid, and only a light shower yesterday afternoon. Overcast today, high of 90 but no rain forecasted. Funny though, our highs the next two days are 69/70. Quite a change. No effects (this far inland) from the storm. I imagine the coast is seeing a little more action though.

Sure, as long as you have the space behind the printer to actually plug it in. HP likes to hide their connectors under cover plates.

Qualify: it won't "work better", but it may save the hassle of a direct wire hookup. Also allows a bit of flexibility in where you put the printer.

Well, my current set-up is this: I have a Linksys Wireless-G router, and my home network is secured. So both my daughter's computer (desktop upstairs) and my laptop connect to the internet wirelessly. I would like for the printer to also be wireless and secured. I don't know if this wireless adapter (which plugs directly into the parallel port/plug on the printer) would be secured, of ifI'd be better using the one that goes Printer --> parallel cable --> printer hub/converter to Cat 5 --> cat 5 cable --> wireless router. The wireless adapter seems like it'd be simpler, but is it securable?

I'm off to Tiger Direct/CompUSA as they have a store only 2 miles from our house, and will see what they have, and what makes the most sense once I can see the items. Thanks much for your help!

So something like this: TRENDnet - TE100-P1P. - 10/100Mbps Multi-Protocol Network Print Server via Single Parallel Port at TigerDirect.com (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=443250&CatId=206) should do the trick?

Okay, I bought this one (above) and have spent the last hour plus on the phone with someone in India trying to configure it, and cannot get it going. I think it's because I don't have the right driver for my printer. But "HP Laserjet 4200dtn" doesn't show up in the list. There's 4200 PCL 5, PCL6, PS, etc., but not dtn. Anyone know which freakin' driver I should use, before I toss both the server and printer into the hot tub which is conveniently located just outside the window by my desk? GRRRRRR!!

Any of the 4200 PCL6 should work just fine. When the print que is established, it should interrogate the printer to find out what it has installed.

Any of the 4200 PCL6 should work just fine. When the print que is established, it should interrogate the printer to find out what it has installed.

:yahoo::smooch::yahoo:

Test page printed successfully!

Thank you so much! Those :gossip: in India ain't got squat on you! :huggy:

:yahoo::smooch::yahoo:

Test page printed successfully!

Thank you so much! Those :gossip: in India ain't got squat on you! :huggy:

Thank Gawd it works.... I wasn't looking forward to a trip down south to fix it for ya...

:lol: You're Welcome. Glad you got it working.

Thank Gawd it works.... I wasn't looking forward to a trip down south to fix it for ya...

:lol: You're Welcome. Glad you got it working.

Ya know, we do have telephones down here now! :really: We could've saved ya the gas mileage, worst case scenario!

Seriously, though, I do appreciate your help. I always hate installing printers at work because the driver issue always boggles me. :banghead:

I love those 4200 printers. Solid.

as cheap as printers are now, just go buy one with a nic card already in it.

I setup a HP this weekend 6310 all in one, and it took me a mere 10 minutes to configure the static ip, and downloading the nice large install package and tested it on all the PC's

I hate the OJ6310. Damn, HP repair center still has it.

as cheap as printers are now, just go buy one with a nic card already in it.

Mine was free. I doubt BestBuy or TigerDirect will match that. :lol:

Mine was free. I doubt BestBuy or TigerDirect will match that. :lol:

well okay then :)

I have an HP LJ 4200dtn at home w/a parallel cable, but my laptop does not have a parallel port/plug. The printer does not have a network cable plug on the back, but I'm thinking I can either get a parallel-to-cat 5 cable to connect it to the router, or install a card w/a cat 5 plug to do this. Any ideas/recommendations? The printer came from work where we have them networked, but this one must not have been previously networked (or if it was, they didn't give me that cable to do it).

Thanks, in advance, for any suggestions.

I wish I would have caught this earlier, the "N" in the 4200dtn stands for networking - and there was no Cat 5 jack? It comes stock with a Fast Ethernet port 10/100 - JetDirect 615n.

Is there an empty slot in the back of the printer? I think I might have one laying around my office somewhere. :ohwell:

I wish I would have caught this earlier, the "N" in the 4200dtn stands for networking - and there was no Cat 5 jack? It comes stock with a Fast Ethernet port 10/100 - JetDirect 615n.

Is there an empty slot in the back of the printer? I think I might have one laying around my office somewhere. :ohwell:


I was guessing since it was missing it was taken for another printer. That is what we always did when we needed a card.

I was guessing since it was missing it was taken for another printer. That is what we always did when we needed a card.

I'm also guessing the third tray is missing as well. I wonder if the duplexer is still there?

I'm also guessing the third tray is missing as well. I wonder if the duplexer is still there?
Do you think the flux capicator has been taken too?

Do you think the flux capicator has been taken too?

Yeah, but I found it. This guy has it for sale...

ThinkGeek :: Find Stuff (http://www.thinkgeek.com/brain/whereisit.cgi?t=flux+capacitor&x=0&y=0)

Do you think the flux capicator has been taken too?

Nope, It turns on. :howdy: