Computer Port Question.

[Revels]

I have a machine that runs via a parallel cable into my PC with a 25pin plug thingy, all works well. The CAD software recognises its connected to the port LPT1 and bobs your fathers brother.

However, my PC has decided to it wants a little holiday from working, so now im trying to use my laptop but it doesnt have that connection.

I have bought a USB > Parallel connector, but it doesnt recognise it as being on the correct LPT1 port. I can change that within the software but I dont know what to change it to if im just using USB!

If I buy one of those expansion cards that has a 25pin port on it, will that give me, and will my computer recognise that as LPT1?

Anyhelp will be greatly appreciated.

 

[@Spoonie]

I assume your referring to the dongle. If you put another paralell port card in it will probably see it as LPT2. Don't the CAD vendors make USB dongles?

 

[Revels]

I dont have a paralell port atm at all. It being LPT2 isnt a problem as I'll just edit it on the software.

 

[sn00p]

It'll be 50/50 whether it would work anyway. Do you know what sort of dongle it is? Proprietry? Rainbow? Hasp?

Our parallel port dongle never worked on pci parallel port cards or on USB ones.

Most parallel port dongles will be accessed in "naughty ways" which is the cause of the incompatibility.

 

[Floridadaz]

The Parallel port is a virtual one on a USB adaptor. If it is there you can find it in: Right click "my computer" then manage then device manager- it should be listed in the menu as a LPT in the ports section you can check and update the driver there if necessary.

 

[Revels]

Right, gave up on the USB thingy as I spoke to the company that make the machine/software and they said they dont reccommend running it via USB.

So ive bought a card/expansion slot thingy with the 25pin on the end, but I dont know what the port should be called? LPT1 doesnt seem to want to work, nor does 2 or 3

Any suggestions anyone please?

 

[Daz]

You can check by right clicking my computer.. going to device manager and seeing which ports are installed.

 

[Revels]

Okay, ive got to that bit but it gives me a list of stuff that I havent got a clue about..

 

[Daz]

Well, under Ports (COM & LPT), what's listed?

 

[Revels]

I dont see ports

 

[Daz]

Hmm, any use?

http://forums.techguy.org/networking/580110-com-lpt-isnt-device-manager.html

 

[sn00p]

Right, gave up on the USB thingy as I spoke to the company that make the machine/software and they said they dont reccommend running it via USB.

So ive bought a card/expansion slot thingy with the 25pin on the end, but I dont know what the port should be called? LPT1 doesnt seem to want to work, nor does 2 or 3

Any suggestions anyone please?

What exactly have you bought? Is it for the laptop? Is it PCMCIA card?

If so, I think you're going to be dissapointed again.....

 

[Revels]

Parallel Port Cardbus PC Card.. for my laptop.

 

[sn00p]

Parallel Port Cardbus PC Card.. for my laptop.

Sorry, but I give you a 0.001% chance of that working with a dongle!

 

[Revels]

Dongle?

I have a cable running from that to my engraving machine..

 

[sn00p]

Dongle?

I have a cable running from that to my engraving machine..

Ahh. Ok, I figured it was a dongle when you mentioned cad software.

So it is a CNC machine? What is the software that is controlling it? If it's Mach3 then give up now, it will never work.

I still don't think you're going to have much luck here though. Without knowing specifics (the external machine, the controlling software) it's difficult to suggest things.

 

[Revels]

Its a Roland machine, running Roland Professional PlateMaker.

I called them the other day and they dont suggest running it via USB, so thats why ive bought this card.

It just wants the output for the device in the software. Normally it runs to LPT1 no problem, but thats because there is the correct port on the PC to start with. Now ive had to add it myself I dont know what to change the "LPT1" too...

 

[sn00p]

humn. You really need to see the "ports" section that daz mentioned earlier, but that isn't showing up on your computer!

When you insert the cardbus card does the computer go "Bing Bong"? Have you installed the drivers for it?

 

[Revels]

Ive installed the drivers.. I get no bing bong and it doesnt go all the way in or seem to "click" really.

 

[sn00p]

Ive installed the drivers.. I get no bing bong and it doesnt go all the way in or seem to "click" really.

Humn. Doesn't sound like windows is seeing it.... I'm pretty sure windows goes "bing bong" when you connect a removable (cardbus) device.

 

[Revels]

and im guessing it would show up in that ports section if I could see it?

 

[sn00p]

and im guessing it would show up in that ports section if I could see it?

Yeah, I would expect that.

Have you got any other cardbus cards that you could plug in to try, just to see if they show up.

Sorry, out of ideas now!

 

[Revels]

Nop, thats the only 1 I have!

Cheers for your help mate.

I'll follow the link Daz posted and see if I can get the ports bit too appear.