Parallel Port - Windows 2000

[eedhto]

Hi,

I have created a software that controls a door access system through my parallel port. I have managed that writing to the parallel port using a IO.DLL file. The software works fine in Windows 98 however when I tried to use it in Windows 2000 it crashes. The parallel port doesn't work in Windows 2000. Any ideas why is that? Any possible solutions that I can overcome this problem?

Please advice!
Thanks,
H.

[Zaei]

Windows 2000 is a lot stricter when it comes to low level device access. However, I believe that you can use the Win32 API to do Parallel Port access. Try looking at the CreateFile() call, and related functions (I think, dont quote me).

Z.

[Sastraxi]

Yeah, open "LPT1:" for Binary access. It should do the trick. Simply PUT a byte to it.

[eedhto]

Can you please send me some code examples of sending a BYTE to the paraller port (..for Windows 2000)?

Thanks a lot!
H.

[Sastraxi]

There's a really easy way that I can't believe slipped my mind - the msComm control. Gives you access to the serial, ps/2, and parallel ports. You should do a Google on how to find it.

[Petergotchi]

I've helped a friend of mine out with his final test. He had to interface from VB to the parallel port too.
The problem with the NTFS system could be the following:
1) Win2000,XP,NT work with the NTFS filesystem. This makes a big difference for programmers. They have to communicate through the HAL layer. It's just different than in Win98 let's just say it that way. You'll have to find a new dll file wich is appropriate for your OS
2) XP, Win2000 just crash when you try to open a connection with the parallel port without something connected to the system's port.

I hope I was helpfull,

Pieter

[Petergotchi]

http://www.planet-source-code.com/vb...33181&lngWId=1

[Petergotchi]

http://www.geekhideout.com/iodll.shtml
This is techman's great post a bit lower in the forum! Great job!