How: PC <-> PC

My x64 port of InpOut32
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PaulL
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How: PC <-> PC

Post by PaulL »

Hi,

I have 2 PC's, XP & Vista. It appears oup32fp & inp32fp work on both PC's. If I write a number on the PC, say the Vista PC, then I am able to read it on the Vista PC. Note, this is not yet PC to PC communication.

So I've connected a parallel port to both PC's, and was hoping that if I write say 98 on the XP port, that the Vista PC would see it. So far it does not. How can I do this?

Thanks for any help,
Paul
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phil
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Re: How: PC <-> PC

Post by phil »

What mode is the parallel port in?

Its been a long time since I looked at this (back in the days of MS DOS) but I seem to recall that you need to put the LPT port into bi-directional mode by messing with other ports and registers (and possibly bios options) to read the 8-bit "output" port. Traditionally the 8 bit port was output only and there were 5 bits that could be read for input (if my memory is correct). This was not bi-directional mode and only of use for printers which reported status this way.

To make the port work in bi-direcitonal mode (read/write all 8 bits), you need to poke some values into the LPT control ports (I cant remember the specifics because it was >15 years ago that I had to do this) but its not just as simple as connecting a cable between the two ports.

You might find more answers at the original authors site (I don't really do parallel ports!, I only made a 64bit version of this driver)

Thanks,
Phil
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PaulL
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Re: How: PC <-> PC

Post by PaulL »

Thanks. Do you think it's easier using serial port & cable than parallel port? I've found source code for PC to PC via serial port, but it looks ancient, has #include <bios.h>. The bios.h was for 16 bit stuff, and surely won't work on MS Visual studio 6 & 8, no?

Paul
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phil
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Re: How: PC <-> PC

Post by phil »

What precisely are you trying to accomplish and why?
Most PC-PC stuff these days uses network/TCP-IP or at worst USB-USB.

But I guess the solution will depend on the problem and the desired result. I cant say what would be best in your case, but serial would be easier PC-PC and you wouldn't need any drivers like InpOut32!

To do serial coms in visual studio 8 using C++ take a look here: http://www.codeproject.com/KB/system/cserialcom.aspx (for example)
And to do serial using .NET (eg C++ or C#) (very easy) try this http://www.codeproject.com/KB/system/Se ... t_COM.aspx

Phil
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