Use a usb parallel printer cable to install hp 4050 laser printer

Installing Your HP 4050 Laser Printer via USB Parallel Cable

Introduction

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In this article, we will walk through the process of installing your HP 4045 laser printer using a USB parallel cable and driver. This method is particularly useful when you don't have an available parallel port on your computer or if you prefer to keep it free for other peripherals like a zip drive or scanner.

Hardware Requirements

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* A computer with a USB port (preferably running Windows XP, 2000, NT4, ME, or 98)

* An HP LaserJet 4050 printer compatible with parallel and USB interfaces

Software Requirements

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* Cable to Go's Parallel Port-to-USB Printer Adapter cable

* Driver CD-ROM that comes with your laser printer (if not pre-installed)

Step-by-Step Installation Instructions

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### Step 1: Unpacking the Components

Before you begin, ensure all components are included:

1. The HP LaserJet 4050 laser printer.

2. A USB parallel cable (usually provided in the box or available separately).

3. Cable to Go's Parallel Port-to-USB Printer Adapter.

### Step 2: Connecting the Printers

Connect your printers as follows:

#### For a Single Printer Setup

1. Connect one end of the parallel printer cable to the parallel port on your HP LaserJet 4050.

2. Plug the other end into Cable to Go's Parallel Port-to-USB Printer Adapter.

#### For Multiple Printer Setup (Optional)

If you have multiple printers, connect each printer separately as described above and plug them all into separate USB ports using a USB hub if necessary.

### Step 3: Connecting the Printers via USB

Now it's time to connect your setup:

1. Connect one end of the provided USB cable from Cable to Go's Parallel Port-to-USB Printer Adapter directly into an available USB port on either your computer or a powered USB hub.

2. Plug in both ends securely.

### Step 4: Installing the Print Driver

To complete the installation process, follow these steps:

1. Insert the driver CD-ROM that came with your HP LaserJet 4050 printer (if it's not already installed) into an available optical drive on your computer or copy the drivers onto a USB flash drive.

2. Double-click 'Setup.exe' to start the setup wizard.

### Step 5: Configuring Your Printer

1. Follow all instructions provided by the HP Setup Wizard carefully until you reach the screen asking whether you want to install the printer driver with an existing port (LPT) or let Windows configure it automatically.

2. Choose either option depending on your preference and proceed according to further prompts.

Troubleshooting Tips

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If at any point during this process, you encounter issues printing:

* Ensure that both ends of all cables are securely plugged in.

* Check if the correct parallel port is selected in Device Manager (for Windows XP/2000) or Print Properties (Windows ME/98).

* If your printer still does not recognize itself after trying these steps, try restarting your computer and repeating Step 4.

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By following this step-by-step guide to install your HP LaserJet 4050 laser printer using a USB parallel cable and driver, you should be able to enjoy smooth printing without worrying about running out of precious ports on your valuable desktop or laptop. Remember always to carefully disconnect any cables from both the back panel of your computer tower/monitor (if applicable) before turning off your equipment for extended periods.

Use a usb parallel printer cable to install hp 4050 laser printer