Thinkpads Forum

I just got a T60 for my dad, and I've been getting it set up for him. One of the things he needs it to have is a parallel port (for a software key). Does anybody know if there's a USB to parallel adapter that emulates a full-function port and not just a printer port? another option is to get one of these, but I can't find them for less than $85.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Option One:
Lenovo ThinkPad Serial / Parallel Port UltraBay Slim Adapter for T60 series
Lenovo Official Webpage: Part Number: 40Y8121

Option Two:
ThinkPlus USB Serial Parallel Adapter, Part Number: 22P5298

Option Three:
ThinkPad Advanced Mini dock for T60
ThinkPad Advanced dock for T60

ThinkPad essential port Replicator for T60 (Part Number: 250510W) doesn't have a parallel port. Thank sktn77a for correcting me.

I could be mistaken but I don't think the "Essential Port Replicator" has the parallel port. Another thing to be careful of with a hardware key is that converters and replicators sometimes don't work with them. Does the key require more than just bidirectional communication support?

(Must be old software with a parallel port DRM key?)

Ultrabay Slim Serial/Parallel Adapter

I would go with the UltraBay adapter with the Serial and Parallel ports. They provide native ports without any mucking about with adapters and stuff hanging off the computer. Downside.. you want to drop that in, you have to reboot the computer to do it. And vice versa.

wow Crazyfrog, that's lots of GOOD info there They need to implement a REP system here to give props to people who deserve it... post count doesn't mean squat!

I think the Docks though would provide native ports also unless i'm mistaken. Do the Dock ports connect thru the USB bus or is it just an extension of the motherboards main bus (as i think it is) with sorta a "daughter board" or something.

Thanks for the awesome info, crazyfrog!

The best if those options seems to be the UltraBay adapter. The USB adapter seems to only have printing support and using a dock wouldn't be possible (I forgot to mention that he needs it to be portable). But if I can't find the UltraBay adapter for less than Lenovo's price ($79), I might as well just get the PCMCIA card.

@skn77a

Yeah, the key needs a true parallel port to work. Most of the USB solutions only support printers. If there was something like this that worked with the key, it would be the best solution I can think of.

It is a pretty old software, circa 1996.

The cheapest I saw the ultrabayslim adapter for was $70. When you add shipping, it's still up there. However, it is a supported solution from Lenovo. I've become leery of PCMCIA support under Windoze XP and especially now under Vista.

Make sure the support is there before you drop $80!