Need a cord to connect OLD computer to NEW printer

You won't find a cable or adapter that will allow both computers to connect simultaneously to the printer. This is because the printers would interfere with each other's signals. That said, adapters are available, but not cheap. Again, the problem is the language that each type of connector uses is different. On top of that, chances are that the printer software would not allow you to select a serial port output on the printer knowing it does not support serial port interface. Same issue with the parallel port. You apparently are using very old computers if all you have is serial or parallel port outputs. You may be able to get a USB card to install in the computer(s) to provide you with a USB interface. This would be cheaper than attempting to get a pair of adapter cables and more likely to work better as well. Often the adapter cables don't work right and will cause slow printing. Also, you CAN get a switching box that can connect two USB computer ports to a single printer.

you may need usb drivers for your printer
http://www.driversdown.com/drivers/24528.shtml

See if printer will work in another working computer. If it does the issue is with your computer hardware/software. If it also does not work then the issue is with the printer. And if so, it is not cost effective to repair given the price of printers these days.

I'm assuming you are using a USB connection, not a Ethernet connection.

Try a different USB port (preferably in the REAR of the computer, not the front). It's not unusual to have 1 or 2 poorly-performing (low power) ports on a PC; some printers don't like those.

If you have a really old computer, it may have ancient USB type "1" (slow) ports instead of the newer 2.0 or 3.0 USB type. Some printers don't like old USB 1 ports, but it is not supposed to matter.

If all else fails, try another USB cord, or a shorter one. Some printers don't work well with cords longer than 4 feet, and USB cords can go bad.

Or, try the printer on another computer. If the same USB cord works fine there, YOUR computer has the problem (probably a USB port or USB driver issue).

Are you having issues with other USB devices? If so, it may be a Windows driver issue.

Good luck. If no help, post your exact printer model # here, or try contacting Lexmark.com support

You are using Acer Aspire One Notebook. Notebooks generally doesn't have serial port (Printer port) as used by old printers. However Acer Aspire one notebook have USB port on which you can connect your USB printer. Serial ports are old and not support by new computers or notebooks.

Serial connection eh? Any reason you went with serial instead of parallel? The cards likely sell for about the same price or you could just buy a USB to parallel cable that would allow you to hook up a USB port of your computer to the parallel port on the printer.

The reason that it looks like the job disappears is likely due to the fact that the serial bus is not supporting bidirectional printing so the printer cannot acknowledge that it has received the job.

You don't map the Universal Serial Buss. You just hook all the devices to the connection points (ports). The computer find them by device, MAC address, etc., not by port number. You can hook up to 127 devices to a computer, and the computer will talk to all of them regardless the physical point of connection. That's the reason, you can buy USB hubs with 4 or more connection points that plug into an USB port (how do you map that?).
USB1 - 6 is for you to know how many devices are connected to the computer via USB at a certain time.
So if your printer is configured for USB1, what ever port you plug that printer in, will be USB1.

I assume you mean the printer has the old style, wide "parallel" port i assume, and your PC uses usb.
There are adapter cables available to convert USB to parallel, but I think they are becoming harder to find. Check at your local Office supply/electronics store.

Yes. It should work fine, but there are a few IFs:

IF the printer is still good...you said it's an older printer. Also, does the printer have a USB port, or is it so old, it only has a parallel port? Some newer computers do not have serial or parallel ports.

IF you don't have a parallel port on the PC, and you have no USB port on the printer, you can purchase a parallel to USB adapter.

You also may have to go the manufacturer's web site to download the drivers for the printer.

IF there are no printer drivers for your newer Operating System, you are up the proverbial ******* creek. I have a hunch you are concerned about how to hook it up because of the above mentioned parallel - USB port issue. The adapter will fix that.

Good Luck!

buy the adaptor for this these ports are called lpt ports they make adapters to run down to size

they also make a lpt printer port switch this is connected easy connect from printer to switch one printer cord then buy 2 other printer cords to hook to other computers
this is not a converter this is a switch

the printer cords can either be made on spot at most computer store or bought from fry's electronics they always have these in stock the proper lines your looking for