USB to DB25 Adapter does not install new LPT port - BAD PRODUCT
Since am doing a bit of hardware programming via parallel port (LPT) I was looking for sometime to buy a USB to parallel port so I will be able to work on my laptop (my laptop has no LPT ports).
I found today a company that sell this kind of cable and was extremly excited to go home and try it out. The cable I bought belong to http://www.manhattan-support.com you can find it under USB products – USB to Parallel Converter.
It is stated on the product package that is fully supported and no driver is required for Windows XP. It was very ovious to me that this driver will install a virtual LPT driver and then all my programs will detect this new LPT driver and work via it transparently. This is not the case and am very dissapointed from this product.
From Manhattan-Support website Here is the one and ONLY FAQ :
“Problem:
After the installation of the USB to DB25 Parallel Converter Cable there is no new LPT port in the system, only a new entry in the USB Section:
"USB Printing Support".
Solution: None
The product indeed does not install as a LPT port, but as a virtual USB Printer Port. Therefore you can only use this device with printers.
To do so, you have to select the new USB Printer Port from the list of local Parallel Ports.
The Port is listed as "USB00x".
The information on the packaging regarding the use of ZIP drives etc. is incorrect.”
Notice that they state here that the packaging text is wrong. Supporting virtual LPT ports is what is very expected from this product, nothing else. There is no use for this kind of product to just emulate connections to printers. I would buy the Printer adapter one which is prefered in this case.
This is defintly a product that state something else on the package then what its actually doing. This company is banned from my side.