Can a Slink-e be used to control a HP 1100 printer

Can a Slink-e be easily connected to a laptop without an existing IR port to control a HP 1100 photoprinter? This photoprinter has a built in IR receiver, primarily to recieve input from the next generation of digital cameras that will include IR transmitters. Windows 98 has an applet to configure a IR port, but appears to work only if the port is built in the hardware of the laptop. (I can't tell, because the software states no IR transmitter was found.) Will this device work with Windows 98 with the Slink-e connected through a serial port?

Thanks