How to Wire Centronics
Centronics was a leader in the printer interface market in the 1980s and early '90s. Companies like Hewlett-Packard and Epson installed Centronics parallel interface connectors on their printers and personal computers until 1994, when a new standard dethroned the interface. If you have a printer -- typically dot matrix, but some with laser-printing abilities -- that must be wired for a Centronics parallel port, just purchase a cable adapter that's suitable for the connection. Finding the right adapter will be the most difficult part.
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Instructions
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1
Turn off your printer and personal computer. Unplug them both.
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2
Access the rear of your central processing unit and find the printer port. Connect the CPU end of your adapter cable to this port, screwing down any side screws.
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3
Connect the other end of your connector cable to the rear port on your printer, which should be compatible with RS-232 if it's a Centronics parallel connection.
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Plug in your personal computer and printer and turn them both on.
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Configure the printer as you would any other, by (in Windows) accessing the "Control Panel," "Printers and Faxes" and "Add a Printer." Follow the prompts to install your new, old printer.
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