Hi all!

I've bought a HP LasterJet IIIp which has an ExtendedSystems ESI-2040
ShareSpool in the back in stead of a normal parallell or serial port.
The ShareSpool 'card' has 4 network-like (serial)inputs (RJ45). There
are also 4 baud-select dipswitches for switching between 9600 and
19.1K baud.

The problem is: I have no clue how to connect the printer to my
(normal) desktop pc (running op XP). I tried to connect using a Nic
(Network Card) but that didn't work, since i can't give my printer an
IP (it seems).

Anybody know how i can utilize my printer?

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Request for Question Clarification by googlebrain-ga on 05 Jul 2002 08:51 PDT

Did you try to connect it directly, using the cable that came with the
card, or did you use a crossover cable?

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Clarification of Question by zolar-ga on 05 Jul 2002 14:12 PDT

Unfortunatly i didn't get any cable with the printer... It bought it
in second hand (if that's a valid expression, anyway).

I only have the printer with the ShareSpool in the back of the printer
and my computer...

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Request for Question Clarification by googlebrain-ga on 05 Jul 2002 15:38 PDT

I'm sorry, I wasn't clear. You said you attempted to connect the
printer to your computer using a Network Interface Card (NIC). I was
wondering of you bought a special crossconnect cable to do this with.

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Clarification of Question by zolar-ga on 05 Jul 2002 16:18 PDT

Erhm...

Let me make clear that i think that it is not possible to 'connect' to
the printer using a NIC. It's not a network printer (i think).

I used several cables with my Nic, twisted and normal.

I guess i'm looking for someone that worked with the Extended Systems
interface or someone that happens to know something about it.

Normally, i should say, i'd solve problems like this my own, but on
this one i just don't have a clue. My printer is pretty old, and i
think the ShareSpool come from the eighties (80's).

so, i tried several cables, nothing worked. I think i some
cable-enhancement or something to use my printer. (e.g. HP LaserJet
iiiP is a pretty old laserprinter).

Dear Zola,

It seems the ShareSpool product is now supported by Troy Wireless.
This is the page to download drivers:

http://www.troygroup.com/wireless/support/otherconn.asp

I expect that the cable would have to be PC serial (9 or 25) to the RJ
45 that you mentioned. I would suggest that the fastest way to obtain
a correct cable would be to contact them. (I would have phoned, but it
is not business hours)

http://www.troygroup.com/wireless/company/contact.asp

I think the main function of the device would have been to allow 4 PCs
to share the printer and print at any time. The device would then
spool the jobs, so that the printer would only "see" the jobs as if
they originated from a single PC.

Is it possible to remove the device and be left with the printer's
standard serial or parallel interface? I have used similar boxes which
just connected to one of the printer's standard port. This option
would certainly be simpler (avoiding aged drivers and serial port
setup) and sharing could be accomplished using Windows Printer
sharing.

Naturally I would be happy to expand on the above if desired.

Regards,

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Request for Answer Clarification by zolar-ga on 06 Jul 2002 06:29 PDT

Hi ozguru,

Thanks for your answer(s).

QUOTE: "Is it possible to remove the device and be left with the
printer's
standard serial or parallel interface?"
I guess i can remove the ShareSpool, but it appears it's the only port
that i can use to connect to the printer. (e.g. there is no standard
port). Btw: i don't mind if i can share the printer with others, i
just want to utilize it myself.


QUOTE: "I expect that the cable would have to be PC serial (9 or 25)
to the RJ
45 that you mentioned."
I'm not sure what you mean: Is this a cable that changed from normal
serial (for my  pc) to the RJ 45 (for my printer)? Are these type of
cables common? Do you think i can only get one from Troy Wireless?

Would be great if you can answer these extra questions. I will rate my
question later today or tomorrow (so that you get the credit, i
think).

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Clarification of Answer by ozguru-ga on 06 Jul 2002 12:33 PDT

Dear Zola,

Clarification follows:

QUOTE: I guess i can remove the ShareSpool, but it appears it's the
only port
that i can use to connect to the printer. (e.g. there is no standard
port). 

I was hoping the Sharespool was screwed into (and obscuring) the
standard printer port. Thus removal of the Sharespool would allow
access to the standard port. This is the preferred strategy if it is
possible.

QUOTEQUOTE: "I expect that the cable would have to be PC serial (9 or
25)
to the RJ45 that you mentioned." 
QUOTE:I'm not sure what you mean: Is this a cable that changed from
normal
serial (for my  pc) to the RJ 45 (for my printer)? Are these type of
cables common? Do you think i can only get one from Troy Wireless?

Yes. They have used the smaller RJ 45 instead of the more common 9 pin
or 25 pin plugs. The cables are not uncommon, often used to connect a
serial terminal or console to a commercial network device
(e.g.switch). However, the internal wiring is only semi-standardised
and manufacturers sometimes take advantage of the fact that they
usually supply the cable and can therefore make any wiring changes
that they like. I would recommend starting with Troy, this would
remove any doubt about the cable wiring. (I would expect Troy would at
least supply you with the wiring information for the cable.)

However, if you have a handy large computer parts supplier… and want
to try one – you could always return it. Just double-check what you
need on either end. I believe it would be 9 pin female DB9 and RJ45.

Standard cables are available (from about  $12) 
Some price comparisons can be found at
http://www.nextag.com and enter search terms RJ45 DB9
or this is the resultant link
http://www.nextag.com/serv/main/buyer/ProductM.jsp?product=36006571&pdir=3&node=300123&category=IT&units=1&shipping=Ground&sort=subtotal,pos#abc

If the cable is non-standard then you can wire your own adapter:
Example http://www.cableguys.com. Menu cables: Menu adapters: Page 10:
Modular adapter DB9F to RJ 45 Item #131 2040 (avoid the RJ 11 – phone,
that are smaller than RJ 45 – networking).

Just for your information, some RJ45 serial cable variations
documented.
http://www.epanorama.net/documents/lan/rs232_rj45.html

Happy cable-hunting,

Thanks for the info's. I'll try to remove the ShareSpool and hope i'll
find a normal port in my printer.

Thanks again!