Parallel port programming

[lm1875]

Hello, Im completly new to Parallel port controling. I need help, I've been looking around the internet and couldn't find what I was looking for. I want to control Parallel port with Visual Basic, or maybe some other software. So how to turn on pins on parallel port. How to turn on pin 1 for example. What to write? How to control? I'm complete noob so please help.:-D

 

[YAS_HASHI]

We can't use Parallel port directly in Windows NT series and later.
Only Windows 95 series, we can use Paralell port directrly.

Install parallel port driver like this.
https://sourceforge.net/projects/winparport/

 

[lm1875]

I don't understand that driver. What does it do? Is it possible to control port in Windows 98? How to write comands and trigger outputs. I'm building a relay board and how to control relays???? What to write, what program?????????????????????????????

 

[srizbf]

controlling parallel port under windows98 is easy compared to win2000, xp etc.
just access the i/o port address and send the data.

 

[YAS_HASHI]

Under windows98, you can use outp and inp functions.
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/733szwah.aspx

The port number of Parallel port is written in this page.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_port
But I can't test on my computer(Windows7).

 

[betwixt]

On later versions of Windows the port is hidden behind the HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer) you can't access it by port number. The only way to talk to it is by using operating system commands.

Brian.

 

[lm1875]

ok I solved the problem. I just downloaded freebasic and wrote:
OUT 888, 0
OUT 888, 1
SLEEP 2000
OUT 888, 0
END
and this worked. I used windows xp, why do you say that you must use 98 or 95??

 

[YAS_HASHI]

Sorry, I didn't know that 'OUT' function can be used in FREEBASIC.
I was very confused ten years ago when I moved from win98SE to winXP.

 

[lm1875]

I have a laptop without LPT port, so is it possible to make some kind of USB to LPT port converter or adapter?