Computing.Net - Multiple parallel ports?

Subject: Multiple parallel ports?

Original Message

Name: dre361224
Date: May 6, 2008 at 14:41:05 Pacific
Subject: Multiple parallel ports?
OS: Win98SE
CPU/Ram: 200MHz Pentium MMX / 32MB

Comment:

Hey there,
I have to be able to connect 3 printers in one computer. They all connect via parallel ports. My motherboard already has one built in to it and I have two ISA cards with parallel ports on them. Now my question is, after I insert the 2 additional cards, is their any thing I have to do afterwards or does the BIOS take care of everything?
Thanks you for your time! :)
Dre

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Response Number 1

Name: DAVEINCAPS
Date: May 6, 2008 at 18:42:00 Pacific
Subject: Multiple parallel ports?

Reply: (edit)

The cards should have jumpers to configure the port address and IRQ. All three ports will need different addresses and IRQ's. One of those IRQ's will probably need to be 5 which may interfere with your sound card. You might be able to disable your com ports and use their resources.

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Response Number 2

Name: dre361224
Date: May 6, 2008 at 19:26:57 Pacific
Subject: Multiple parallel ports?

Reply: (edit)

Alright, thanks I'll try that soon :)

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Response Number 3

Name: dre361224
Date: May 6, 2008 at 21:22:01 Pacific
Subject: Multiple parallel ports?

Reply: (edit)

Ok, I installed one card and I get the "Floppy Disk(s) Fail (40)" error. Any idea why? It gives the same error when I tried the other card also. Thanks.
Nevermind, figured that part out. Just had to switch around a few jumpers. Now the problem is that I can't get the computer to use both. It only uses one of them :/

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Response Number 4

Name: DAVEINCAPS
Date: May 6, 2008 at 22:17:52 Pacific
Subject: Multiple parallel ports?

Reply: (edit)

Is the floppy cable OK? Maybe while installing the card the floppy cable came loose. Do you get the error with both cards removed?
Otherwise it looks like the cards are interfering with the floppy controller. You should probably reconfigure the port and/or IRQ settings.

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Response Number 5

Name: dre361224
Date: May 7, 2008 at 00:20:22 Pacific
Subject: Multiple parallel ports?

Reply: (edit)

I fixed the floppy issue. The Parallel port card also has the connection for a floppy drive. I only had to disable it with a jumper.
Just a quick question. If theres 2 parallel ports, should I be able to see both of them in the Device Manager?
Thanks a lot for your time! :)
Dre

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Response Number 6

Name: DAVEINCAPS
Date: May 7, 2008 at 13:21:12 Pacific
Subject: Multiple parallel ports?

Reply: (edit)

Yeah, they should both show. Windows should see them as 'new hardware' when you first boot up. If not, try an 'add new hardware' search and see if it finds them.

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Response Number 7

Name: OtheHill
Date: May 7, 2008 at 13:25:08 Pacific
Subject: Multiple parallel ports?

Reply: (edit)

You are probably going to run out of usable IRQs if you can get it to work at all. Back in the WFW3.11 days I had 2 computers sharing 2 printers using an Intelligent switch. Probably hard to find now but there is a 4 port manual switch available at a reasonable cost. Link is below.
http://sewelldirect.com/high-speed-...

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Response Number 8

Name: dre361224
Date: May 11, 2008 at 09:52:47 Pacific
Subject: Multiple parallel ports?

Reply: (edit)

Thanks guys it works now. I only had to use the "Add New Hardware" wizard. Thanks a lot for your help! :)

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Response Number 9

Name: DAVEINCAPS
Date: May 11, 2008 at 13:14:58 Pacific
Subject: Multiple parallel ports?

Reply: (edit)

You're welcome. Thanks for posting back.

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