Parallel port configuration.

Question

Ok, heres the deal, my Mom purchased a 2400. She uses a program called key entry III to do data entry for work. This DOS based data entry prog. has a EP module that has to be plugged into the parallel port (LPT1). When trying to run the program it says EP module could not be found on the workstation. I've used it with the same config on my machine and it works fine. Worked fine on her old machine. It just seems to be this machine. The driver on her Dell and my machine are the same for LPT1. Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

RoHe · Answer

First, do you know that this program will run under Windows XP? Many Dos programs won't. If it works under an earlier version of Windows such as 95 or 98, you may be able to get it to run by right-clicking the shortcut, selecting Properties and then going to the Compatibility tab where you can set compatibility for the right version of Windows.

You may also have to go into BIOS and change the settings for the parallel port. Refer to your owner's manual on accessing BIOS on this system and making changes.

The parallel port choices probably include ECP, EPP, AT and PS/2 and you may have to experiment until you find the one that works.

At least on my 8400, no matter how I set the parallel port in BIOS, Device Manager always says it's ECP. Dell told me to reinstall XP but I don't think that's a real solution so I'll be interested to see if you can get the EP module to work..

Ron

Message Edited by RoHe on 10-10-2005 05:30 PM

dieseldub · Answer

Ron,
The 2400 is the same way as far as what ever is set in the bios doesn't seem to matter because device manager always shows ECP. I have tried every setting in the bios. The software does work with xp machines. I've loaded it on two others(built by myself)and they both run the software just fine. I'm losing my hair from scratching my head. : )

RoHe · Answer

Dell replaced motherboard on my 8400 but that didn't solve the problem either, and I'm not about to use PC Restore, as they recommended, because that will wipe everything (software, XP updates, personal files, etc.) I've put on the system since it came, and I'm not convinced that will solve the problem anyway.

There was recent post (last 2-3 wks) from user with Dimension 4550 who couldn't change the parallel port settings either and wasn't able to run some external hardware that required EPP. He ended up buying an eMachine just to support that piece of hardware.

I'm of the opinion Dell's implementation of the parallel port isn't correct. (Their PS/2 mouse port isn't 'standard' either, but that's subject of one of my threads.)
Not sure what the parallel port solution is. If enough people bug Dell, maybe they can do something in BIOS to fix the issue. But since the new Dimension 9100 doesn't even have a parallel port, I tend to doubt they'll do anything.

You might install a parallel port card (~$10), assuming you have empty PCI slot, to see if you can get it to work that way.

Let me know what happens...

Ron

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Parallel port configuration.

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