microprocessor parrell port to RS serial converter problems

Hi not sure if this is the correct forum to post so applogies if its not but here goes.

I have a Able System A261B controller mciroprocessor board that has a parrallel out port which is normally connected to an M260 impact printer mechanism. The printer has failed however. The parrallel connections to the printer are :-

Data Bit 0 to Data Bit 6 Only, with the last data bit being shorted to ground on the A216B board, this tells the A216 controller to use the parrallel port. So it is 7 bit data transfer.
The following connections are also used.
Data Strobe input (Positive Active Edge)
Parallel Busy Output (High = Busy) Ignored
Paper Low Output (High = Paper Low)

What I have tried to do is use a standard 232SPS2 parrellel to serial converter and a windows com port logger to try and log the Asci print characters sent from the A261B controller using a PC and serial rs232 com port logger, but all i get is garbage, and the 232SPS2 converter seems to lock up. Can anybody offer any help, am I approaching correctly, and any ideas why the converter is locking up.

Thanks
Steevo