Member Avatar for yogibear66

Hi, every1,

I have a 25-pin parallel port dongle for my accounting software, but recently, there was a need to get mobile, hence, need my accounting system with me to do quotations on the road.

However, my new Dell notebook do not have a parallel port as most notebooks these days.

It would be easier to get a USB dongle to use, however, there is no stock for it, and may need the dongle to switch usage between my desktop(with parallel port) and notebook.

Hence, you like to find out from fellow IT professionals if they have encountered such situation, and if the dongle would work via an adapter interface ?

Cheers,
yogibear

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Dani AI

Generated

Quick practical guidance and a short troubleshooting checklist for anyone trying to run a 25‑pin parallel dongle from a modern laptop. Several people in this thread (for example and ) reported the same dead end with generic USB cables; below are the reasons and the realistic paths forward.

Why a cheap USB→DB25 cable usually fails: many dongles rely on direct, pin‑level access to the parallel port (I/O port addresses, status pins and sometimes IRQ/handshake lines). Generic USB‑to‑parallel leads are built for printers and present a USB printer‑class device — they do not expose the low‑level IEEE‑1284 signals or let software perform raw port I/O. Modern 64‑bit OSes also make direct hardware access harder without a signed kernel driver. This is the hardware/OS reason why the dongle never "sees" the port.

Simple checks and immediate steps:

  • Plug the adapter and check Device Manager (look under "Ports (COM & LPT)" and for entries like "USB Printing Support"). If no LPT port appears, the adapter is almost certainly printer‑only.
  • Ask the software/dongle vendor first: request a USB replacement, a soft‑license, or a network/floating license. That is the supported, low‑risk route.
  • Short‑term workaround: run the program on the desktop that keeps the dongle and use remote desktop/terminal services while mobile (confirm the licence/EULA first).
  • Hardware workaround: keep a small dedicated machine with a real parallel port or use a vendor‑specific docking/port‑replicator that exposes a true LPT; this is often cheaper than re‑licensing.
  • If you see a specialist adapter that claims "real LPT/dongle support," verify compatibility with both the adapter seller and your software vendor before buying.

As and observed, vendor changes (new USB keys or drivers) can require uninstalling old software and support calls. Start with the vendor — it saves wasted purchases and preserves licensing compliance.

Recommended Answers

All 9 Replies

Member Avatar for DimaYasny

tried it wish HASP plugs. doesn't work

Member Avatar for David Elder

Thank you for info.
D. Elder

Member Avatar for kingvjack

The makers of your security key should also have a page to set up the security system with a USB dongle. You will need to completely un install the old key system and fight to get the new one to work. I have done this on machines and I've noticed that there is a serious degrade in starting the security service at bootup and sometimes requires multiple restarts.

Member Avatar for David Elder

overall experience with several parallel hasp type security keys
(Voicemail, Door Access, Video,) systems were written for specific platform
(98, 2000, mayby XP) and assumed parallel port.
Wound up maintaining Legacy hardware.
This cost far less than software updates, IF available.
USB to SERIAL is more common, but most hasps are Parallel.

Member Avatar for DimaYasny

HASP3 and 4 are parallel, the newer ones are all USB

Member Avatar for tzvi ackerman

Hi, every1,

I have a 25-pin parallel port dongle for my accounting software, but recently, there was a need to get mobile, hence, need my accounting system with me to do quotations on the road.

However, my new Dell notebook do not have a parallel port as most notebooks these days.

It would be easier to get a USB dongle to use, however, there is no stock for it, and may need the dongle to switch usage between my desktop(with parallel port) and notebook.

Hence, you like to find out from fellow IT professionals if they have encountered such situation, and if the dongle would work via an adapter interface ?

Cheers,
yogibear

Dear Yogi,

I am having exactly the same problem. I purchased a USB to parralel port cable - but to my dismay it soes not recognize the dongle - have you been any more successful

Please let me know

Tzvi

Edited by Ezzaral because: Snipped email. Please keep it on site.
Member Avatar for jinaranjan

Dear All,

I am having the same problem. Can I use Parallel port to USB adapter for use my HASP 3 dongle to connect USB of the computer?

Member Avatar for mecpaul

To anyone who might have the solution:

I am having the same problem. I've tried to use USB to paralel and USB to serial and then serial to paralel, both in XP and 7, in laptops, but unfortunetly i didn't come with any result, i.e. my 25 pin dongle isn't recognized. IS there someone that could give a litle help??
thx
mecpaul

Member Avatar for Xuewu Dai

Hi All who wants to use a USB-parallel convert to eanble a parallel dongle:

Whether you will be winning depends on the parallel dongle design. If the dongle software checks the IRQ (interrupt) pin of the parallel ports, you cannot active the parallel dongle via USB. Otherwise, it is high possible to win. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_protection_dongle

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