USB to Parallel Interface that works like a LPT port?

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Guest

I have test gadgets built over the years that interface via the
parallel port. Addressed at 0x378. Printer ports are going away.
Is there an adapter that plugs into usb to make 'em work
again?
I have three usb printer adapters that install as printer
drivers. Can't find any way to access them.
Have another that says it's lpt2, but can't access it via 0x278.

Any affordable device that actually emulates a real hardware parallel port?
Or drivers to let me read/write the adapters I already have via VB6.
Been googling for days without success.

Thanks, mike
 
spamme0 said:
I have test gadgets built over the years that interface via the
parallel port. Addressed at 0x378. Printer ports are going away.
Is there an adapter that plugs into usb to make 'em work
again?
I have three usb printer adapters that install as printer
drivers. Can't find any way to access them.
Have another that says it's lpt2, but can't access it via 0x278.

Any affordable device that actually emulates a real hardware parallel port?
Or drivers to let me read/write the adapters I already have via VB6.
Been googling for days without success.
Click to expand...

Something like these might do the trick:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...STMATCH&Description=pci+parallel+port&x=0&y=0

(watch for url wrap)
 
spamme0 said:
I have test gadgets built over the years that interface via the
parallel port. Addressed at 0x378. Printer ports are going
away. Is there an adapter that plugs into usb to make 'em work
again? I have three usb printer adapters that install as printer
drivers. Can't find any way to access them. Have another that
says it's lpt2, but can't access it via 0x278.

Any affordable device that actually emulates a real hardware
parallel port? Or drivers to let me read/write the adapters I
already have via VB6. Been googling for days without success.
Click to expand...

Why don't you just buy a card that provides a parallel port?
 
Ian said:
The hardware solution is easily accomplished by
a PCI or PCIe parallel port adapter.
Click to expand...

I could if the PCI card would fit in my laptop...
or if I had an extra PCI slot in my desktop.

One problem
you'll have is that XP and Vista do not permit writing
directly to ports. This will have to be done through a
device driver.
Click to expand...
I do it all the time in user space.
Everything you need is available for download.
mike
 
spamme0 said:
I couldn't find anything there usb that looks like a real hardware
parallel port in the sense that I can bit-bang the pins.
Did I miss something?
Click to expand...

Yes, the several *PCI* cards that offers a "real hardware" ports.
 
Grinder said:
Yes, the several *PCI* cards that offers a "real hardware" ports.
Click to expand...

I guess what I'm missing, that you've elaborated elsewhere, is that you
can't really use a PCI card.
 
Grinder said:
I guess what I'm missing, that you've elaborated elsewhere, is that you
can't really use a PCI card.
Click to expand...

If you consider the SUBJECT line:
"USB to Parallel Interface that works like a LPT port?"
to be "elsewhere"...

mike
 
spamme0 said:
If you consider the SUBJECT line:
"USB to Parallel Interface that works like a LPT port?"
to be "elsewhere"...
Click to expand...

I made the unwarranted assumption that you just weren't aware of the
product I suggested. This "elsewhere" cleared it up for me:
I could if the PCI card would fit in my laptop...
or if I had an extra PCI slot in my desktop.
Click to expand...

I hope that you can find something that suits your needs.
 
spamme0 said:
I could if the PCI card would fit in my laptop...
or if I had an extra PCI slot in my desktop.

One problem
I do it all the time in user space.
Everything you need is available for download.
mike
Click to expand...

Does the laptop have a cardbus slot ?

(First one located, maybe there is a cheaper one elsewhere.)
http://www.cooldrives.com/software-dongle-lpt-pcmcia.html

The couple cardbus ones on Newegg did not get good reviews.
So finding one that supports all modes, and is cheap, might be
tough. The Cooldrives web page says an Oxford Semiconductor
chip (oxsemi.com) is used.

http://www.oxsemi.com/products/serial/documents/PCI_to_parallel/OX12PCI840/SER_OX12PCI840_DS.pdf

Paul
 
spamme0 said:
I have test gadgets built over the years that interface via the
parallel port. Addressed at 0x378. Printer ports are going away.
Is there an adapter that plugs into usb to make 'em work
again?
I have three usb printer adapters that install as printer
drivers. Can't find any way to access them.
Have another that says it's lpt2, but can't access it via 0x278.

Any affordable device that actually emulates a real hardware parallel port?
Or drivers to let me read/write the adapters I already have via VB6.
Been googling for days without success.

Thanks, mike
Click to expand...

Since the circuitry associated with buss addresses and data bits on
ports isn't present on a USB port, I don't see haw such a device would
be possible unless the USB circuitry built into the computer was
designed to translate the standard parallel port address and data
patterns into a stream of impulses on the redundant conductors of the
USB port. I doubt many (if any) notebook computers, integrated ports on
tower system motherboards or add on USB boards were designed to have
such functions.

I guess we eventually have to give up things like buggy whips, eight
track tapes, 78 RPM records and devices that attach to parallel ports.
 
RobertVA said:
I guess we eventually have to give up things like buggy whips, eight track
tapes, 78 RPM records and devices that attach to parallel ports.
Click to expand...

For the home hobbiest, the parallel port interface is the only game in town.
Perhaps not with you, but many of us still find it useful for our interface
projects.

Jon
 
RobertVA said:
Since the circuitry associated with buss addresses and data bits on
ports isn't present on a USB port, I don't see haw such a device would
be possible unless the USB circuitry built into the computer was
designed to translate the standard parallel port address and data
patterns into a stream of impulses on the redundant conductors of the
USB port. I doubt many (if any) notebook computers, integrated ports on
tower system motherboards or add on USB boards were designed to have
such functions.

I guess we eventually have to give up things like buggy whips, eight
track tapes, 78 RPM records and devices that attach to parallel ports.
Click to expand...

You guys talk like this is brain surgery...
The USB/Prallel port dongle has control lines just like a "real" hardware
port that it uses to control the printer. The processor at the printer
end takes the data stream from USB and toggles the hardware lines
as instructed.
My program calls some DLL or OCX that I tell to make the bits at the other
end do what I want. The hardware is available, it's dirt cheap,
and I don't have to buid a box to put it in.

The problem is that the documentation is scarce and the
software process is exceedingly
complex...unless you've already done it...which is why I ask on
the web...to see if anybody has done it.
It's very common to find that someone has done most anything
you can think of.

There are MANY uses for hardware lines that can be controlled by a computer.
I can't be the only one who wants such a thing.
USB may not be the ideal interface, but it's available.
Lots of stuff can be done with high-latency communication.

mike
 
I have test gadgets built over the years that interface via the
parallel port.  Addressed at 0x378.  Printer ports are going away.
Is there an adapter that plugs into usb to make 'em work
again?
I have three usb printer adapters that install as printer
drivers.  Can't find any way to access them.
Have another that says it's lpt2, but can't access it via 0x278.

Any affordable device that actually emulates a real hardware parallel port?
Or drivers to let me read/write the adapters I already have via VB6.
Been googling for days without success.

Thanks, mike
Click to expand...

There are USB2Parallel adapters. Only and in blocks with 2 COM
connectors. It seem s that they aren't widely used, so it could be
harder to find them but, they exist! Search stores on internet...
 
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