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October 1st, 2005 17:00
Changing BIOS to EPP doesn't work
When I change the parallel setting to "EPP" in BIOS, the computer apparently remains in its original "ECP" mode. BIOS then reads "EPP" while Device Manager shows the port to be "ECP"; and peripheral hardware application that requires EPP then doesn't work. (This hardware tested OK on another computer.)
DELL SUPPORT in India has reproduced the problem on a Dimension 4550, like mine, in their lab, but so far has been unable to resolve it.
Any one have any ideas about this? BIOS has been flashed to the latest 4550 - A08 update; but that hasn't helped.
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Lars Lewis
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October 1st, 2005 18:00
RoHe
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October 1st, 2005 18:00
Ron
RoHe
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October 1st, 2005 20:00
You may be able to buy an inexpensive PCI parallel port add-in card that can be configured via it's own software to EPP, assuming you have an empty slot. Some of these cards may also contain other ports, so that might give you a chance to add additional functionality to the current PC for minimal cost.
For example:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815104211
I make no specific recommendations for any products or retail vendors, so shop around for a card that fits your needs and price.
Ron
Message Edited by RoHe on 10-01-2005 02:20 PM
Lars Lewis
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October 2nd, 2005 19:00
There'll be no more from me on this thread; but in the process of seeking a solution here and a number of other places I learned some things things from an expert in this area.
He told me that setting the parallel setting in BIOS to EPP doesn't really change much in the computer other than enable it to receive and send data from other registers than those used for printing; but if the operating system isn't set up to work with those registers, nothing happens. He further said that since Microsoft wasn't involved in the development of EPP, they tend to ignore it. That seems to have been the root cause of my problem.
As for the possible solution of circumventing Microsoft software by installing a PCI card that has a parallel port and associated software to run EPP, I tried that and it too didn't work. That was my last straw. I solved my practical problem by buying an EMachine that works just fine in EPP mode.
RoHe
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October 3rd, 2005 00:00
If what you're saying about Microsoft and Windows is correct, then NO machine would ever be able to run the parallel port as EPP. Your eMachine can set the port to EPP and run your peripheral hardware properly so Windows obviously does recognize when the port is set to EPP. I tend to think it's actually a problem with the Dell BIOS.
When my laserjet runs out of paper, XP reports that correctly, but then fails to notice when the paper cassette is refilled because EPP isn't enabled. Only way to get XP to recognize that the printer is ready again is to reboot. EPP works correctly on my non-Dell PC using an earlier version of Windows with this same printer. Device Manager reports the correct BIOS setting for the parallel port on that machine. So when the cassette is refilled the printer status is reset immediately without rebooting.
Ron
Message Edited by RoHe on 10-02-2005 06:31 PM