I am considering switching from PC to Mac only in my home office. I
have a HP 5ML that I would like to keep. Are there (affordable- less
than $200) options for using the parallel printer with the new Macs
that do not have parallel ports?

I have a small home network based on a Linksys Router and Apple's
Airport.

If this task is possible:
Please provide specific model names and part numbers of hardware
required. And vendors (web sites) where the products can be purchased.

Hi.

There are several possible solutions for your problem. The best one
seems to be a USB-to-parallel adapter sold by Strydent:

http://www.strydent.com/strydent-software-products/powerprint-usb.html

The PowerPrint product supports the HP LaserJet line, and includes a
CD Rom with printer drivers. It costs US$99, plus tax and shipping if
applicable. This price is for US customers.

According to HP (and the Usenet post referenced below) there is no
LaserJet 5ML model. There is a 4ML and a 5M. The "M" generally refers
to a printer that has Mac compatibility, so I'll assume your printer
is compatible. If in fact there is no "M" in your model name/number,
you may be out of luck.

HP has a document that details how to connect the LaserJet 5M to a
Macintosh network. The instructions are a little dense, but they seem
complete:

"HP Color LaserJet and Color LaserJet 5 and 5M Printers - Setting Up
the Printer"
http://www.hp.com/cposupport/printers/support_doc/bpl02646.html

Vince Kenkel "Re: HP4ML: Any info????" Online posting (March 1, 1996).
<comp.periphs.printers> via Google Groups.
http://groups.google.com/groups?q=LaserJet+5ml+driver+mac&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&selm=4h79co%24sg8%40enquirer.mv.us.adobe.com&rnum=1

If the Strydent PowerPrint doesn't include the drivers you need, this
page at HP.com has Mac drivers for the 5M:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?prodNum=C3962A&prodName=hp+color+LaserJet+5m&locale=en_US&taskId=8418&taskName=download+drivers+%26+software&prodTypeId=18972&prodSeriesId=25509&prodSeriesName=hp+color+LaserJet+5m

AllUSB.com also sells a HP kit to bridge the USB-parallel divide,
altho it doesn't specifically mention support for the LaserJet series.
It is $69, plus tax and shipping if applicable:

http://www.allusb.com/products/P10048.html

Search terms used:
parallel mac printer laserjet 5ml usb drivers

I hope this helps, and good luck with your new Mac!

a_butler-ga

---

Request for Answer Clarification by jugglerpm-ga on 24 May 2002 10:33 PDT

Thanks for a great answer. I started to rate the answer but decided to
give you a chance for an extra star.

Did you come accross any possible solutions that take advantage of my
existing network? Any devices that can connect to the printer via the
network?

I appreciate your help.

---

Clarification of Answer by a_butler-ga on 24 May 2002 15:07 PDT

Thanks for the kind words.

The comment by lilbud-ga includes a link to a great product from the
same company I initially recomended. However, that product is
US$249.00, which exceeds the intial scope of your question.

In addition, the detailed instruction page at HP.com has instructions
for connecting to the printer using a 10baseT port on the back of the
printer. I'm not sure if your model has the "HP JetDirect print server
card" they reference. I'd imagine you would've already tried that if
it did.

Good luck.

a_butler-ga

Thanks for the help. Just got home and I see the model is indeed a 5
MP not ML. Sorry.

The same company has a product called PowerPrint Networks that allows
the printer to connect to an Ethernet network for all of your
Macintosh computers to share.

http://www.strydent.com/strydent-software-products/powerprint-networks.html

If used equipment is an option, you may want to check out Intel
Netports.  According to http://www.ehsco.com/reading/19971027ir1.html
, it supports macs.  I don't know if used equipment is good for you,
but I used them several years ago, and they worked very well for me. 
You can get them from ebay for less than $10 (not including shipping).
 You may want to check it out a bit more to see if it will fit your
needs.

The 10/100 model appears to be compatible with MacOS version 8.6 so
they may be compatible with newer versions of MacOS, and they are
compatible with AppleTalk and EtherTalk (
http://www.intel.com/support/netport/10100/compat.htm ).

Here is a link for information on all models of netports:
http://www.intel.com/support/netport/ .  Older models (such as the XL
or  may or may not work-- they say that they are compatible with
System 6.x or 7.x
http://www.intel.com/support/netport/vintage/6022.htm#3 .


Additional Links

Ebay search for Intel Netport
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?MfcISAPICommand=GetResult&ht=1&SortProperty=MetaEndSort&ebaytag1code=0&query=intel+netport


Search Terms:
intel netport macintosh

Hope that helps.

wsloand-ga