PARALLEL PORT

PROGRAMMING
Problems and solution
 PARALLEL PORT
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
FEMALE
PARALLEL PORT

MALE PARALLEL PORT

SERIAL PORT
(MALE)
 PARALLEL PORT
TECHNICAL DISCRIPTION
 PROBLEM IN PARALLEL PORT
PROGRAMMING
 The N2PK VNA connects to the computer via a printer port. When a printer port is used for
purposes other than talking to a printer, it's a common convention to call the printer port a
parallel port. It's a parallel I/O (input/output) port, where software running on the computer
can change output port signals, and can read the data values present on input port signals. For
many applications and devices, this is a simple, functional, and complete interface.
 From the early days of DOS and then leading up through Windows ME, the home versions of

Windows platforms allowed all programs to freely access the parallel ports. In fact, each
program could freely run wild over other programs and the devices present on the computer.
 Folks who work with operating system software usually do not like this wide open approach,

since a single bug in a single program can crash the whole system, and there is no security
(privacy) between applications. The traditional solution, employed for decades, is to use
computer CPU hardware that supports two or more modes of operation, based upon a
privilege model. The core operating system (kernel) is allowed full privileges, and individual
application programs have a set of restrictions on what they are allowed to do. The typical
minimum restrictions are that the program can only access memory which is part of the
program itself, and that the program communicates to the outside world through a set of calls
made to the operating system. The enforcement of privileges is not voluntary or on the honor
system. As each instruction is executed by the computer, the hardware checks to make sure
that the instruction is allowed for the current privilege level. Software cannot escape or
ignore the mechanism.
 When a program does something wrong, something it does not have permission to do,
the operating system is handed control of the matter. At this point, there are many
possible alternatives. The simplest is that the program is abruptly terminated. No
doubt you have seen that behavior from time to time. In some cases, the program is
informed that it has committed some sort of violation. The program may be able to
work around the problem, probably expecting that this might happen (it planned
ahead).
 In order to have a higher degree of protection/security, and less chance of endless
crash and reboot cycles, the Windows platforms targeted for business users, Windows
NT, Windows 2000, and now Windows XP, have always used a hardware protection
mechanism. The actual CPU chips, whether Intel, or AMD, or some other brand, have
had support for privilege levels for many years. Some versions of Windows simply
chose to not use them. Thankfully, the home and business product lines merged with
Windows 2000, so the number of alternatives and approaches has gone down.
 
 The good news is that our computers crash less. The bad news is that for the more
recent operating systems, a normal application program can no longer directly access
the hardware devices on the computer. This includes the printer port(s).
 To read and write to the parallel port is needed driver (*. sys file) to communicate
with hardware device software.
 SOLUTION
 There are many programs and hacks are used for this. I
am telling about two of them and describe
one of them which was used by me in my project.
1. Parallel Port Debug Tool
http://www.beyondlogic.org/pardebug/pdebug.htm

2. User port

http://www.brothersoft.com/userport-download-122645
.html
**MANGAL.EXE(this program can used to test the
parallel port o/p.
www.thoughtcrackers.blogspot.com
 The most important file is to use for parallel port is to know
the port no.!!
 The Parallel Port is the most commonly used port for
interfacing home made projects. This port will allow the
input of up to 9 bits or the output of 12 bits at any one
given time, thus requiring minimal external circuitry to
implement many simpler tasks. The port is composed of 4
control lines, 5 status lines and 8 data lines. It's found
commonly on the back of your PC as a D-Type 25 Pin
female connector. There may also be a D-Type 25 pin male
connector. This will be a serial RS-232 port and thus, is a
totally incompatible port.
 Newer Parallel Port’s are standardized under the IEEE
1284 standard first released in 1994. This standard
defines 5 modes of operation which are as follows,
1. Compatibility Mode.
2. Nibble Mode. (Protocol not Described in this
Document)
3. Byte Mode. (Protocol not Described in this
Document)
4. EPP Mode (Enhanced Parallel Port).
5. ECP Mode (Extended Capabilities Mode).
PIN DESCRIPTION & BASE ADDRESS
 The Parallel Port has three commonly used base addresses.
These are listed in table 2, below. The 3BCh base address
was originally introduced used for Parallel Ports on early
Video Cards. This address then disappeared for a while,
when Parallel Ports were later removed from Video Cards.
They has now reappeared as an option for Parallel Ports
integrated onto motherboards, upon which their
configuration can be changed using BIOS.
 LPT1 is normally assigned base address 378h, while LPT2
is assigned 278h. However this may not always be the case
as explained later. 378h & 278h have always been
commonly used for Parallel Ports. The lower case h denotes
that it is in hexadecimal. These addresses may change from
machine to machine.
HOW TO USE USER PORT

1 if you want to use except

default address . Write port
address.
For example to use data
pins in parallel port write
2 (378h-37fh)
press add button
3
Click update

Press start
4
 After this user port will open the desired ports for you
so that communication will become possible.
 Now to test it you can download “MANGAL .EXE” just
click the file it will generate o/p through parallel port.
 This utility is very useful for making computer
controlled (robots etc.)projects.
 For example to you programmed your robot that when
bit sequence “ 00110010” it moves forward.
 Here you can use this utility how??
 “00110010” decimal 50 press “2” at your computer key board
 why I said “2” for understanding this you should refer to ASCII
code table.
 What are ACII codes?? well in simple language by using
ASCII code table ( strictly in the context of our “mangal.exe”)
you will come to know the digital equivalents of keyboard keys.
 For right & technical information do a bit googling on this
topic.
 Use 25 pin parallel port cable for o/p .

 Choose or find digital equivalent which works for your

projects.
UNINSTALLING USER PORT
 THANK YOU
MANGAL DAS
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