- Joined
- Mar 14, 2025
- Messages
- 2
I am an I/T professional assisting one of my clients with an old Dynamometer machine from the late 1990s. This machine is used to test and record various metrics from race car engines. Unfortunately the company that made this machine engineered it to work specifically with an MS-DOS based computer which was programmed to work specifically older HP 5000 series DeskJets. The company that made the Dyno went out of business in the late 2000s, sold their inventory to another company and all support and documentation was lost to the sands of time. It currently operates using an old DeskJet 5650 via LPT. Attempts at using other brand older printers with LPT have all failed, the prints do come out but the printout is an utter mess and nearly incomprehensible.
Here is where my problem lies: The world is running out of DJ 5650s. I have found around 8 websites selling used or refurbished 5650s, but not one of these business accepts returns if the product doesn't work. Half the websites have broken contact forms and half of them use the ancient, horrible ReCaptcha system which fails for me over and over. The other issue is most of them want $400-$500 for a used printer they wont guarantee works.
The cost of a modern equivalent Dyno that would meet my clients needs is well over $100,000.00 USD. This is not a financially viable option for him. In lieu of replacing the Dyno machine, I have been asked to try and find working 5650s. That being said, 2 of the 3 I've ordered over the last 10 years have arrived non-functional and the companies refused our return requests.
I am at a loss as to how to proceed with this project. The client is also a good friend of mine and I would really like to help him keep his business running. I found a single business in Florida that will take in parts and guarantee repairs (according to their website), but their forms are broken and the site looks like it hasn't been updated in at least a decade. They are also quoting on their site a MINIMUM $400 per printer repair charge, possibly much more which makes sense given the age of the printer, but still too expensive.
Do any of you have experience with maintaining legacy print systems like this? Are there any other older HP DeskJets that might be compatible? My search thus far has been specifically for 5650s. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Here is where my problem lies: The world is running out of DJ 5650s. I have found around 8 websites selling used or refurbished 5650s, but not one of these business accepts returns if the product doesn't work. Half the websites have broken contact forms and half of them use the ancient, horrible ReCaptcha system which fails for me over and over. The other issue is most of them want $400-$500 for a used printer they wont guarantee works.
The cost of a modern equivalent Dyno that would meet my clients needs is well over $100,000.00 USD. This is not a financially viable option for him. In lieu of replacing the Dyno machine, I have been asked to try and find working 5650s. That being said, 2 of the 3 I've ordered over the last 10 years have arrived non-functional and the companies refused our return requests.
I am at a loss as to how to proceed with this project. The client is also a good friend of mine and I would really like to help him keep his business running. I found a single business in Florida that will take in parts and guarantee repairs (according to their website), but their forms are broken and the site looks like it hasn't been updated in at least a decade. They are also quoting on their site a MINIMUM $400 per printer repair charge, possibly much more which makes sense given the age of the printer, but still too expensive.
Do any of you have experience with maintaining legacy print systems like this? Are there any other older HP DeskJets that might be compatible? My search thus far has been specifically for 5650s. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.