I have recently purchased a BJC50. The main reason being, so that I could use the printers IrDA interface to communicate with my laptop (via a USB /IrDA adapter) running Windows XP .
But it does not work.
The printer instruction book says that only the Microsoft IR Comm Driver Ver 2.0 can be used as the IrDA driver for the BJC-50.
Other IrDA drivers can not be used.
I understand that this driver can only be found in Win 98/ME.
I've downloaded the above driver from the Microsoft Website but it does not work with Win XP.

In short can anyone tell me how I can get the BJC-50 IrDA to interface with Windows XP.

Thanks in advance for any help given.

I have the same problem, but am more concerned about sucessfully connecting my male parallel plub off my Canon BJC-50 printer to my new dell laptop which wants a USB interface. SewallDirect.com make an adapter (Part no. SW-1310) which almost worked, but couldn't print. I just churned. If you find an answer to your problem, it might be useful for me. Please e-mail me at mrt@larrycilley.com

I also purchased an IrDA adapter and had the same problem - were you able to rectify the situation?

Have solved the problem with the USB/parallel cable - just unclick "Enable bi-directional printing". After having fits trying to use both this cable and an IrDA connection I was just about to give up when I came across this solution. Now it PRINTS!

I am trying to run my BJC50 using the USB port. I have tried a USB to parallel centronics standard dongle, plus what I hoped was a plug and cable allowing me to plug that in to the mini parallel port of the printer. Unfortunately it doesn't work - maybe its wired up wrong.

Can I get a USB to MINI parallel port dongle from anywhere? What did you use?

Thanks

This is Philip Foster again. Using Windows XP, I've solved my problem: BJC50 was correctly connected to the usb port via a usb/centronics dongle, but as well as unticking bi directional printing, in the Properties window, go to 'Advanced' and click 'Printer Processor' button. In the left hand box there are options: WinPrint being one them. Deselect that one as it seems not to let the printer work. I also have a Minolta 5450 laser printer which has M5450PWC in that window. If this is selected then the printer works fine!

My problem was to get the BJC50 working on XP using an IEEE1284 to USB printer cable. An elderly relative had acquired a new laptop but, unlike his previous computer, this one has no connection for the original printer cable.

My first attempt led to frustration and failure. No matter what I tried the BJC-50 refused to print.

Eventually I managed to find a succesful solution using another method - a PCMCIA/IEE1284 adaptor! This actually worked without too much trouble, but my relative kept complaing about the clunky, inelegant attachments to his laptop! Felling that he had a point I returned to the USB approach, but this time I found GrannyFritz's solution on this board, i.e. unclicking 'bi-directional support'. Off I went to try this out and - Yey!! - the XP Test Page was printing with the USB/IEE1284 cable before I had my coat off.

The situation with this laptop was slightly different from that of PhilipFoster in that there were no printers other that the BJC-50 installed. However, I checked the WinPrint and found it was selected with the printer working.

My conclusion is that it is unchecking 'bi-directional support' whihc does the trick.

Thank you all.