I use VB6 Learning edition and thus have no MSCOMM control.
If i used an adaptor cable to switch the LPT port to a 9-pin serial lead, could i reliably send ascii data to a serial compatible device?

for example if i had a geiger-counter device that is able to be controlled by a RS-232 (serial) cable, could i plug it into my LPT port and use printer commands to control it?

Note instead of Printer.enddoc and stuff like that, i would use :

Code:
Open "LPT1:" for output as #MyFileNum 'i know this technique works to print onto paper
print #myfilenum, "BS 001 02022"  'ascii command recognised by geiger
close #myfilenum
???

summary: Can i control any serial device via the printe port without the MSCOMM control?