Parallel Port Configure [30031]

This article applies to:
E-Prime 3.0
E-Prime 2.0
E-Prime 1.x

 
Detail

NOTE: This sample uses deprecated methods to configure a Parallel Port in E-Prime. This sample is provided for legacy purposes only. These methods should not be used when creating new experiments. Instead, PST recommends adding a ParallelPort device to an experiment via the Devices tab of the Experiment Object's property pages and setting its properties appropriately. See DEVICE: Parallel Port Device [17150] for more information.

NOTE: Most Parallel Ports or PCI cards today support bi-directional communications and can detect which is needed automatically. E-Prime is capable of both sending and receiving markers through the Parallel Port, though not simultaneously. If you are using an older Parallel Port or PCI card, it may need to be configured specifically for input or output.

Abstract
This sample investigates the ability for your computer to use ECP/EPP Parallel Ports to emulate legacy SPP or Bi-Directional modes. With the script routines included in this experiment, you can configure your Parallel Port so that the DATA port (pins 2-9) act as either input or output. Using these commands allows for ease of configuration among the widest range of computers and reduces the need to edit the system BIOS to configure parallel ports.
 
By default, E-Prime has traditionally worked the best with Parallel Ports that are in 'Output Only' or 'SPP' mode. In this legacy mode, the Parallel Port allows for eight bits of output on the DATA port (pins 2-9). 5 bits of data could be read from the Status port.

 
Most Parallel Ports or PCI cards today are newer ECP/EPP Parallel Ports, which provide the ability to emulate the older SPP or Bi-Directional Parallel Ports. This allows for the ability to set the DATA port on the Parallel Ports for reading or writing (but not simultaneously).

 
To use the routines in your experiment, first copy and paste the User script area from this experiment into your experiment. Then, copy the 'Const PORT_ADDRESS' line from the top of the 'GetPortInfo' InLine object and paste it into your experiment, changing the port address value if needed. Finally, call the appropriate routines to configure your parallel port.

See Also:
INFO: How do I send a marker to an external device? [42521]

INFO: Legacy Methods to Send Markers to an External Device [17212]