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Quacking system snag -- more help needed.

Post Date: 2014-03-18
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Socks223 View Drop Down
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Posts: 38 		  Quote Socks223 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Quacking system snag -- more help needed.
    Posted: 18 Mar 2014 at 11:55am
I'm settling on this configuration: 938014.  I figure this will let me address the issues / needs in prior posts (smoky and dusty environment, needs for word processing, internet and PDF manipulation, light video watching, and some games like Hearts of Iron, Medieval Total War, or IL-2 Sturmovik -- no MMORPGs or FPS games, the most I'd go to in that department would be something like Company of Heroes).

So anyhow the problem is my printer.    I have an old HP4 laserjet which I love. It's very reliable and I use it for all my printing. According to the manual, it uses RS-232-C / RS-422-A serial interfaces or Bi-tronics parallel interface.  Is there any way to hook it up to this proposed build?  Just learned that these interfaces aren't even on modern motherboards.  I'd hate to add $300-$500 to the cost of a build to buy a new printer.  Solutions would be appreciated.

My other question was about "switching time" -- sometimes I like to have 4-5 programs open but switch them around for visibility on the monitor (like 1 turn on a game, then switch to work for awhile, then back).  My present system takes about 1-2 minutes to do that, if it doesn't lock up altogether.  Will I have that problem with this the proposed build?  If so, is there any way to prevent it?  BTW, I plan on using an ASUS MX299Q.

Thanks in advance for all your help.  You guys have been great and I really appreciate it.
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Socks223 View Drop Down
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Posts: 38 		  Quote Socks223 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Mar 2014 at 12:37pm
OK, got my printer question answered, I think:  http://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-F5U002/

Just need input on "switching times"  thanks!
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ScottishBattleAx View Drop Down
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Posts: 342 		  Quote ScottishBattleAx Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Mar 2014 at 12:41pm
You'll certainly be able to run those games just fine with that machine.

I can't help with the printer but I'd think there must be some kind of adapter or other solution to run the older printer.

Switching time - it's safe to say you'll be able to instantly switch between a ton of programs easily! It'll be a lifechanger really lol
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ScottishBattleAx View Drop Down
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Posts: 342 		  Quote ScottishBattleAx Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Mar 2014 at 12:45pm
Originally posted by Socks223

OK, got my printer question answered, I think:  http://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-F5U002/Just need input on "switching times"  thanks!

Do yourself a favor and don't pay over the odds direct to Belkin. At worst, buy that cable from somewhere else. At best, look at all the $5-10 one's that are probably just as good. I can't vouch for that, but there's plenty to choose from
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=USB+Parallel+Printer+Adapter&N=-1&isNodeId=1
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Socks223 View Drop Down
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Posts: 38 		  Quote Socks223 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Mar 2014 at 12:56pm
Oh, absolutely!  I only meant there's a workaround.  You're 100% right about the pricing.  Thanks for the link, too.
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Counsel View Drop Down
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Posts: 125 		  Quote Counsel Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Mar 2014 at 12:57pm
Originally posted by ScottishBattleAx


Switching time - it's safe to say you'll be able to instantly switch between a ton of programs easily! It'll be a lifechanger really lol

A quick note - if you're running a game in full-screen mode, switching in may still take 4-5 seconds, depending on the game. (I have a nearly comparable system, and switching into Skyrim, can take 3-4 seconds, while switching into World of Tanks takes about 1 second). Switching out should be nearly instant, as should switching between applications that don't take up the whole screen.
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Posts: 667 		  Quote danjw1 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Mar 2014 at 1:32pm
There are USB to RS232 converters out there: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=USB%20RS232%20converter

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Socks223 View Drop Down
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Posts: 38 		  Quote Socks223 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Mar 2014 at 6:53pm
Thanks, Counsel.  
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Posts: 2551 		  Quote fstcvc Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Mar 2014 at 9:28pm
Checkout MonoPrice for a USB to Serial adapter...

You might also have driver issues getting that old of printer to work on a modern OS properly...
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Posts: 9462 		  Quote Snaike Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Mar 2014 at 1:24am
Originally posted by Counsel

Originally posted by ScottishBattleAx


Switching time - it's safe to say you'll be able to instantly switch between a ton of programs easily! It'll be a lifechanger really lol

A quick note - if you're running a game in full-screen mode, switching in may still take 4-5 seconds, depending on the game. (I have a nearly comparable system, and switching into Skyrim, can take 3-4 seconds, while switching into World of Tanks takes about 1 second). Switching out should be nearly instant, as should switching between applications that don't take up the whole screen.
 
If I may derail this thread a moment... Counsel, imagine switching into World of Tanks at minimum 45 seconds... average 1 minute... and more times than I'd like, complete CTD.
 
This is my world at present.  Cry 
 
/derail
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