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January 4, 2013
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January 4, 2013
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RolandStG's Reviews

Dynex - 6' USB-Parallel Printer Cable - Multi

This USB-parallel cable allows you to connect your parallel printer to your computer via USB port.

Tech Insider Network
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Tech Insider Network

Customer Rating

Worked great in XP. No Windows 8 driver available.

on January 4, 2013

Posted by: RolandStG

from St. George, UT

Used this cable for years with my WinXP machine and it worked great with the driver included on the CD (still available for download from Dynex as well). When setting up the new computer with Windows 8, it poses a problem.

I'd question a response from someone named Aaron on the Q&A page (answering an inquiry about Win7) that a cable needs no driver.

If so, then why does this cable come with a driver CD?
And why does Windows 8 (just like XP did) auto-install the cable as an IEE-1284 Controller when I plug in just the cable?

This Aaron person further goes on to state that it ultimately depends on whether the actual device being connected is compatible. However, I know that HP has released a Win8 compatible driver for this printer (HP LJ 5M) and followed all steps to update it via Win8's update process in the printer properties.

I think an additional compatibility problem may be whether your USB port is backward compatible with USB 1.1, which is what this cable is. However, that being said, I believe it is obvious that a Win8 driver is also needed.

FWIW, I called Dynex support on the phone and was told that there is no Win8 driver available and that they may be releasing one shortly because they are getting a lot of requests from customers who have upgraded to Win8.

I've chosen "No" on the recommendation, partially based on the fact that even Dynex tech support told me I might do better if I try a newer cable from Rocketfish (also a Best Buy brand).

Computer Experience: high. Former Sys Admin and Network Engineer in several environments and as many as 14,000+ users before retiring.

What's great about it: Good way to connect older printer via USB if you have no parallel port

What's not so great: Difficult to get to use on newer hardware with Win8, may be driver issue or USB 1.1 backward compatibility

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

Performance