Re: Parallel Port problem
- From: "Abstract Dissonance" <Abstract.Dissonance.hotmail.com>
- Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2006 06:53:33 -0600
"Andy" <andysharpe@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1139916617.366695.111190@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Andy writes:
I read with interest the post a couple days ago about interfacing the
Parallel Port with C, using a special driver.
However, my problem is a little different. Perhaps some of the gurus
here can give me a similarly easy solution.
I like to write programs in GWBASIC. Yes, I know it is an obsolete
language, but I have been using it for 40 years and have no need
to do anything more "modern". And I have dozens of
programs that I wrote in olden times, that I still like
to use.
If my computer boots into
Windows98SE , and I load BASIC, the OUT X,y command to the
printer port doesn't work. I have to boot in DOS from a floppy.
Of find an "old" computer and use Windows 3.1 and shell to DOS.
So, what are the OTHER ways that I can load GWBASIC and write
a program that doesn't require loading special drivers and stuff if I
use a computer that automatically boots into one of the later
WINDOWS op systems....?
Thanks for your advice. I am aware of my obsolescence, but I have
retired, and see no desire to learn later languages (grin)...
Andy in TExas
Most likely, since Win98 is running in protected mode, it is blocking the
ports to the virtual86(i.e. real mode) instance that GWBasic is running in.
Several possible solutions are,
Instal GWBasic onto a boot disk and update the autoexec.bat file to run it
after boot up. You will probably need to get a hold of an older dos boot
image(like dos 3 through dos 6). They can be found online with explinations
on how to put them onto the floppy. If you use the Win98 boot disk method
it may or may not work as, if I remember correctly, it does some stuff with
the memory... basicaly to get more than 1 meg of memory it uses protected
mode. By doing that it can take control of the ports(which seems to be the
problem in this case). Although it can't hurt to try it as it might be a
quick and easy solution.
Find a newer version of Basic that runs in windows. This is probably the
best solution as you'll get the benefit of running it in windows and
probably some other things too(maybe debugging and multiple instances,
etc...). (ofcourse there is no guarantee that the ports will work but I
don't see any reason why they shouldn't... except that windows still can
take control of the ports(for multi tasking and such) so you might have to
figure out another way then simply using the OUT command(but it will
probably work).
Jon
.
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