A:AnswerNo conversion is required. Its presented to the printer as parallel signals. I didn't have any issues with an older printer.
Besides its Best Buy, you can return it.
A:AnswerThe dongle is software controlled , either you can check with the software manufacturer or try it and see. . it shouldn't hurt the dongle but debending on the software as to whether it will recognize the dongle on this cable.
A:AnswerGot it to work with Windows 8.1. However, its USB 2 on laptop and Centronics not 25 pin on printer end. It replaces the cable which had a 25 pin parallel connector on the computer side.
A:AnswerYou would have to go into the Printer's Settings Menu, to assign it to a specific printer/output source. This is only a cable which connects the printer to the laptop/computer/netbook, etc.