One for the computer gurus

[anubis]

Need some help on which is the best route to take to connect an older printer/cutter to a pc running Windows 7 Pro 64 bit which has NO parallel or serial port.  Looking at either a parallel to USB converter or a PCI parallel card.

Just not sure which way to go, needs stability and no communication drop outs, as the ribbons (Thermal Resin) are not cheap, and neither is the sign vinyl.

Used to run under XP fine.

Thanks
anubis

[thatguy]

This card should do the job. Used a few startech pci-parallel cards before for small CNC lathes and for a vinyl cutter at work without any problems.

They have others available, but this one supports basiclly any parallel port standard you could need ,ECP/EPP/SPP/BPP.

This is the PCI and PCI-X version. They also do cards for PCI-E if you prefer.

[anubis]

Update on my question and reply from thatguy.

Eventually after reading other peoples experiences with their similar machine using Windows 7 (Roland ColorCamm PC60) I purchased a Belkin Parallel to USB converter. Installed the Virual Machine software onto the computer (running Windows7 Pro 64bit), and it works a treat, reasoning behind this route was I could then also use the laptop (currently Windows XP) for running the machine if I felt like it or it was needed.

Cut a couple of stickers for otherhalf to make sure all was well, now I need to test the print side after giving the machine a good cleaning.

Fingers crossed the print head hasn't gone bad as they are like Rocking Horse poo to find.

anubis