Re: send more than 8 bits with parallel port

On Tue, 21 Feb 2006 14:15:56 GMT, NoSpam@xxxxxxxxxxx (Bob Masta)
wrote:

<snip>

Others have answered the hardware aspect of your
question. However, note that if you plan to use this
on PCs running Windows versions later than 9x,
you will have to use a special ring 0 device driver to have
access to the printer port. (GIVEIO and USERPORT are
two that I have heard of, put haven't tried myself.)
That might be one advantage for using the serial
port, which can be accessed through more-or-less
standard Windows API functions.

Another thing to think about is that parallel printer ports
are rumored to be slated for extinction... but then again,
aren't we all!

You know? What bugs me about this very true point is that we are
losing all of the really good hobbyist interfaces for adapting a PC.
The ISA bus was really nice and not too complex for a serious hobbyist
to use, in adding boards. Gone now, or nearly so. Ever consider
trying to do a PCI card as a hobbyist? Reflection wave bus, 2ns clock
skew on 33MHz and 1ns clock skew on 66MHz with a 1.5" +/- 0.1" trace
length for the clock (often serpentined in order to get there), etc.
Just getting equipment to monitor the analog characteristics for
debugging a design is a fortune. Lose the parallel, lose the serial,
add USB 2.0, replace the old IDE controller cables with SATA 2, and
what are you left with to use, anymore? It's getting to be a pain in
the ...

Well, of course, there are microcontroller boards. But then you lose
out on the excellent and easy availability of very excellent and well
documented development tools.

Jon
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: send more than 8 bits with parallel port
    ... on PCs running Windows versions later than 9x, ... access to the printer port. ... The ISA bus was really nice and not too complex for a serious hobbyist ... length for the clock, ...
    (sci.electronics.basics)
  • Re: send more than 8 bits with parallel port
    ... So i need 4 more pins from something. ... on PCs running Windows versions later than 9x, ... access to the printer port. ... standard Windows API functions. ...
    (sci.electronics.basics)