Is a printer cable just a printer cable?

I always thought a printer cable was just a printer cable.

I have one laser printer connected to two XP computers. I have known for many months that the printer functioned differently, depending on which computer to which it was connected. I assumed the differences were caused by the computer. After trying all types of computer and printer adjustments, I concluded that the differences were due to the printer cables.

I want to purchase another cable, just like the one that works. Took both cables to Radio Shack. Young lady said that there is a difference, but could not identify the difference by name. So, if I do not know the name, I cannot shop for it.

The cable that works has an oblong-shaped feature in the linear middle of the cable, a little less than 3/4 inch in diameter and maybe 1 1/4 inch in circumference and 1 1/4 inch in length. Radio Shack lady says that this is what makes this printer cable work differently from the other printer cable.

Assuming she is correct, what do I shop for when looking for a printer cable?

25 pin vs 36 pin ?

http://www.blackbox.com/resource/fil...bc00601con.gif

USB on the computer end and the comparable connection on the printer

aob--I understand your last post means USB connectors at both ends. That oblong shaped object is probably some sort of resistance built into the cable.
See this http://www.motherboardpoint.com/t397...onnection.html . If laser printers have spooling and memory, that could explain the performance difference you see.
However, if that is not the reason, I assume you know which cable seems to give you better performance. Radio Shack or other sellers of cables can sell you the same cable if you bring it in. (You should be able to find sellers of special cables in your area by looking in the Yellow Pages.)
FWIW--I have a five year old HP printer. It is USB at both ends, but the connection to the printer is fairly square shaped (a little rounded at two corners)--not the "normal" flat USB plug.

And the make and model of the printer is?

The only way we can id what is different between the 2 cables is to post photos of both.
And perhaps the Radio Shack part number of the cable that does work. Along with the
printer make / model. In most cases, a Type A to Type B cable should work fine for any
printer. Unless the printer is over say about 12 feet from the computer.

Printer is a Brother HL-1440 and it is 2 feet away from the computer. The cable with the oblong section of the cable works just fine. The other cable does not work the way I want it to. The printer is adjusted properly. The computers are identical. I have spoken with Brother tech support, before I realized that the cable was the problem, and am satisfied that all adjustments that can be made have been made.

I will check with another Radio Shack or maybe COMPUSA to see if anyone can id the cable that works and match it.

There were two types of parallel cables that I remember one is just a parallel cable and the other was a bi direction parallel cable.

Brother HL-1440

http://welcome.solutions.brother.com...ZLe_UG_eng.pdf

Tells which USB cable to use. And usb is faster than the parallel business.

That printer has two ports, IEEE 1284 Parallel and USB. If it is plugged into two computers simultaneously you have one each Parallel and USB cables.

You can't replace the Parallel with a second USB, or vice versa, because the printer has only one port of each type.

Try switching the cables between the two computers. The problem will probably also switch computers.

A USB cable has small plugs, about one half inch wide, A Parallel has large plugs, over two inches wide. They are easy to tell apart. Which is the problem?

My guess is its the Parallel and the problem is in the computer support for Parallel rather than the cable. If performance is the issue, I suggest you live with it. Although there are Parallel to USB adapters they don't work with all devices. An adapter and USB cable may cost $30 or more. With laser printers starting under $100 I'd buy a second printer.

Second thoughts.........

There are manual switches available that let you plug one printer into two computers. You have to switch between computers as needed and they are in the $30 and up range. Add the cost of the second USB cable and a second printer still makes more sense to me.

Are the computers networked? Get a print server and print via the network. Although a server is even more expensive its the way to go with networks. I'd get a server that supports more than one printer. That way you can have multiple computers accessing multiple printers (an inkjet and a laser, for example).