Would like to use printer to copy only without a computer interface.

It would be nice to know the HP printer model number or a least the interface available. Is your printer attached to another computer that is on your wifi network. That computer can share the printer and then the ipad can print to it via the wifi network.

Not sure what the question is. IEEE 1284 is a parallel cable interface, standard on most computers up until Windows XP for sure. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_1284. This interface was substantially replaced by USB. If you have an older printer with this interface you can still connect this to a newer computer without the parallel interface by installing an interface card (into a desktop computer) or connecting via a Parallel to USB adapter.
http://www.pcfixup.ca/2010/03/connecting-parallel-port-printers-to.html

Thank you for posting to Fixya.com and it is my pleasure to guide you.

To help you in the furture I have found the manual for reference. Click the link or copy paste it to download it. http://www.posguys.com/download/iDP3550UME_09E.pdf

From the manual for the Interface Cables, the manual has pictures.

4.2 Connecting the Interface Cable
1. Turn off the power. (Mating side included)
2. Check the top and bottom of the cable terminals, and connect to the interface connector.
3. Secure the cable terminals.
Serial interface: Tighten screws to secure.
Parallel interface : Turn clamps to secure.
4. Connect the interface cable to the computer.

4.3 Connecting the Drawer Kick-Out Connector
1. Turn off the power.
2. Check the top and bottom of the drawer kick-out cable connector and connect it to the drawer kick-out connector located at the lower section of the printer.
3. Screw the grounding cable of the drawer to the grounding terminal located at the lower section of the printer.
CAUTION: • Connect only the prescribed drawer (Solenoid) to the drawer kick -out connector.

Good luck and please post back that you are successful and give thumbs up if my solution has worked for you. If I can be more helpful just reply.

Hi there!
To make a regular copy without the computer you can do these:
-Load paper on the paper tray -Put the document that you want to copy on the scanner glass -Press either the Copy Black for B&W copies or Copy Color for colored copies
Hope this helps!

Disconnect the Ethernet cable between the router and the cable-modem (or DSL-modem).
Access the web-interface inside the router.
Allow "all" MAC-addresses to access the router.
Turn the printer off.
Turn the printer on, so that it gets a "fresh" IP-address from the router.
On the router's web-interface, get it to show a list of the "active" DHCP-connections.
It should show the IP-address and MAC-address for your printer.
Copy that MAC-address, and the MAC-address of your computer.
On the router's web-interface, access the table of "allowable" MAC-addresses.
Add the two MAC-addresses.
Enable the "selected MAC-addresses only" option.
Reconnect the Ethernet cable.

just press the scan button it will copy the page and prinout will come.

try to scan the document from the using the printer panel ..not the computer interfaces ...

MP145 can works independently wthout a pc. Just on the power, the MP145 is a copier.

You need to set up the software on the iMac. The reason it gives you that error message is because it can't communicate with the computer and imaging software as the computer doesn't see the scanner and can't communicate with the printer's control interface. The iMac may see the printer and be able to print without any additional software because the driver package for the printer portion may already be installed with the OS X HP printer driver support. You didn't mention whether or not you could print from OS X. I am assuming you can. Faxing and copying from the unit doesn't use the computer at all and doesn't need to communicate with it. Scanning and printing do. If you can't print either then none of the driver or support software is installed and you have to set it up. You can get the instructions for setting the printer up in OS X 10.5 from HP. Just click here and it will take you to the page with the instructions.

Best wishes and cheers

You should not need to take a housing off you simply need to unscrew the parralel port at the back and then insert the other cards hope this helps