how to use a USB to parallel converter

  • Thread starter Thread starter Maurice
  • Start date Start date
M

Maurice

Hello:
I bought a USB-to-parallel DB25F converter, just to command an old project
who was operating on standard parallel port. when I plug it in my laptop, I
don't have a new port added in "Ports (COM & LPT)" of device manager, I just
have a new "USB printing support" in the "Universal Serial Bus controllers".
Also, no new port added in printers ports. So could this converter be used
to control an external hardware and how?

In fact, I intended to command it by C++ using "inpout32.dll"

Thanks
 
Maurice said:
Hello:
I bought a USB-to-parallel DB25F converter, just to command an old project
who was operating on standard parallel port. when I plug it in my laptop, I
don't have a new port added in "Ports (COM & LPT)" of device manager, I just
have a new "USB printing support" in the "Universal Serial Bus controllers".
Also, no new port added in printers ports. So could this converter be used
to control an external hardware and how?

In fact, I intended to command it by C++ using "inpout32.dll"

Thanks
Click to expand...
Didn't your converter come with a CD with driver software on it? If not,
search the vendor's site for a driver or do a Google search.

Bill
 
Bill Sharpe said:
Didn't your converter come with a CD with driver software on it? If not,
search the vendor's site for a driver or do a Google search.

Bill
Click to expand...

Good luck trying to use C++ going through two interfaces (USB and Parallel.)
Every time I have used the USB to Parallel printer cable I have had issues
with initial setup. Since you are trying to go to a hardware device that is
probably non-standard I really wish you luck.
 
Maurice said:
Hello:
I bought a USB-to-parallel DB25F converter, just to command an old project
who was operating on standard parallel port. when I plug it in my laptop,
I don't have a new port added in "Ports (COM & LPT)" of device manager, I
just have a new "USB printing support" in the "Universal Serial Bus
controllers". Also, no new port added in printers ports. So could this
converter be used to control an external hardware and how?

In fact, I intended to command it by C++ using "inpout32.dll"

Thanks
Click to expand...

Perhaps the manual that came with the converter doesn't say much about how
it works. You might have to experiment a little.

Try connecting a known good printer to it and see if it works just like it
does when the printer is connected to a real printer port. Boot to DOS and
see if DOS can get to it with legacy USB support or something similar set up
in your BIOS.

If these tests indicate that the converter is working properly, then you can
try similar tests with the external hardware.

-Paul Randall
 
Maurice said:
Hello:
I bought a USB-to-parallel DB25F converter, just to command an old project
who was operating on standard parallel port. when I plug it in my laptop, I
don't have a new port added in "Ports (COM & LPT)" of device manager, I just
have a new "USB printing support" in the "Universal Serial Bus controllers".
Also, no new port added in printers ports. So could this converter be used
to control an external hardware and how?

In fact, I intended to command it by C++ using "inpout32.dll"

Thanks
Click to expand...

There is a warning here.

http://www.byterunner.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi?store=byterunner&product=USB+to+Parallel+Adapters

"NOTE: USB to Parallel Cables will only work with printers, and not other types of
parallel devices, as they map in as "USB Printing Support", not as a true
parallel port.

If you need a true parallel port, please look at our PCMCIA Parallel Cards,
our Parallel Expresscards or our PCI-bus Parallel cards (some notebook computers
use PCMCIA cards, and some use ExpressCards. Most desktop computers use
PCI-bus cards.)"

HTH,
Paul
 
Paul said:
There is a warning here.

http://www.byterunner.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi?store=byterunner&product=USB+to+Parallel+Adapters

"NOTE: USB to Parallel Cables will only work with printers, and not
other types of
parallel devices, as they map in as "USB Printing Support", not
as a true
parallel port.

If you need a true parallel port, please look at our PCMCIA
Parallel Cards,
our Parallel Expresscards or our PCI-bus Parallel cards (some
notebook computers
use PCMCIA cards, and some use ExpressCards. Most desktop
computers use
PCI-bus cards.)"

HTH,
Paul
Click to expand...

thanks for reply,
but curiously how data is sent to the printer?

Maurice
 
Maurice said:
thanks for reply,
but curiously how data is sent to the printer?

Maurice
Click to expand...

The USB to printer port cable, presumably is supported
by this standard USB class.

http://www.usb.org/developers/devclass_docs/usbprint11.pdf

That document won't tell you much, unless you know what
1284.1 or 1284.4 are. I haven't a clue what modes are
supported, based on the info available. Based on the
pipes shown in the USB class document, the parallel
port could be in a bidirectional mode of some sort.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_1284

Paul
 
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