Or are you missing the cord from the writer box to computer? That will be a serial OR parallel port connection (either one will connect you to a PC. I'm sure you can pick up one of those almost any supply store. Cannot connect to a laptop in most cases because they don't have serial or parallel ports, as a rule. Mostly USB ports today, and that is partly why the next upgrades have USB connectors. However, I've done some research & I believe you can find a serial/USB cord if you look around. Also, you can get an adaptor for connecting to USB port. Hope I have helped you.