NOTE: The preferred method of interfacing a Rena parallel printer to a PC is using the parallel port of the PC. The USB port should only be used if a parallel port is not available.
For PC’s that don’t have a parallel port; parallel ports can be added to most PC’s and laptops. A parallel port card can be installed in a PC and a PCMCIA parallel port card can be connected to a laptop.

Parallel printer ports have become less popular with computer manufacturers and USB ports have become the standard in peripheral attachment. In many cases, computer manufacturers don’t even offer a parallel port as an option. Because of this change; it has become more likely that you will need to connect a Rena parallel printer to a USB port.

It is possible to connect a Rena parallel printer to a USB port using a “USB to Parallel Converter”. There are numerous USB to parallel conversion cables available on the market. We purchased and tested three different converter cables. Two of these cables, shown at the bottom of this page, performed well in most cases. It should be noted that, in some cases, the computer may not recognize the USB to parallel cable and or may not communicate through it. In these cases, it may be possible to add an additional USB 2.0 port card or adapter to the computer system and connect the USB to parallel cable to this new port.

When using a USB to parallel conversion cable, a “virtual printer port for USB” (USB00#) is installed as a port choice for all printer drivers on the computer system. When you want to communicate via the USB port, the “virtual printer port for USB” must be selected, from the “Ports” choices in the printer driver’s properties window. 

Special Instructions for installing and using USB to Parallel converters:

1. It is recommended that USB 2.0 ports and converters be used. Although USB 1.1 ports and converters may work, their communication speed is not as fast as USB 2.0 devices.
2. Read the cable manufactures installation instruction before connecting the cable to the computer. Depending on the cable and operating system, you may need to load the drivers provided by the manufacturer. With Windows XP or Windows 2000 and the two cables we tested, the system automatically recognized and installed the appropriate drivers for the hardware to function correctly.
3. Install the Rena printer driver of your choice. If the Rena printer driver is already installed, skip to the next step.
   Note: While installing the printer driver you will be prompted for the port you want to use. The Virtual USB port (USB00#) may not be available at this time. Temporarily select any port, to finish installing the printer driver.
4. After the USB to parallel cable is connected, go to the Printers folder and right click on the printer driver of your choice. Click on “Properties”. Click on the tab labeled “Ports”.
5. You should find a port labeled “USB00#   Virtual Printer Port for USB”. Select this port, and then click on Apply.
6. Close the printer driver properties window.
7. You are now ready to communicate to the USB port using the Rena printer driver selection you just assigned to the “Virtual Printer Port for USB”.

Very Important! Remember which USB port you originally connected the USB to parallel cable to and be sure to reconnect the cable to the same port every time. You may want to label the USB port so you know which one you originally used. This is especially helpful if you have a laptop that you are using to demo the printers with, since you will frequently be connecting and disconnecting the USB to parallel cable to it.

What happens if you connect to a different USB port than the original?
If you switch the USB to parallel converter cable position to a new USB port, the new USB port will be assigned another Virtual USB device number (Example: USB002). In this case, you may not be able to communicate until you follow the advice below.

What happens if you switch port assignments when the printer driver is displaying the “off-line” status?
Any change in port assignment must be done while the printer driver is showing the “ready” status.

If you try to reassign the printer driver to a new port while in the driver is in “offline” status, you will not be able to communicate with any of the ports you select (including the parallel port), while using this printer driver.  If you want to use a different port, instead of the original USB port you must do the following:

1. Select the original “virtual printer port for USB” from the driver properties.
2. Connected the USB to parallel cable to the original port. If the cable is already connected to the original port, you must disconnect it, wait about 10 seconds and reconnect it.
3. Verify that the printer driver now shows the “ready” status, then go to the printer driver properties and assign it to the new port of your choice.

USB to Parallel Convert Cable Models Tested by Rena Systems Inc.

Radio Shack Part# 26-184 (6 ft) 
UNITEK Part# Y120 (5 ft)

Disclaimer: There are many variations in Parallel to USB cables, USB ports, computers and operating systems, which may negatively affect the ability to connect using the methods described above. Rena Systems does not endorse any of the products listed above. These products have been listed as examples only. Rena Systems does not guarantee the proper function of these items with our printer models.
Rena Systems, Inc. does not guarantee the accuracy of this information and is not liable for damages as a result of using this information. It is provided as a free service to end-users and has no warranty.

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