Microsoft KB Archive/128042

Cannot Use Direct Cable Connection with Parallel Ports

PSS ID Number: Q128042 Article last modified on 09-13-1995

95

WINDOWS

= SYMPTOMS =

You cannot establish a connection with Direct Cable Connection using parallel ports.

= CAUSE =

The parallel port in one or both of the computers you are using is not capable of bidirectional communication, or is configured for uni- directional communication only.

= RESOLUTION =

If the parallel port is capable of bidirectional communication, configure it for bidirectional communication. If the port is not cable of bi- directional communication, you must replace it with one that is.

= MORE INFORMATION =

On some computers, you can configure the parallel ports for AT- or PS/2- style communication in the CMOS. When you set a parallel port to AT-style communication, the parallel port emulates an older parallel port that is capable only of outputting data (this is referred to as unidirectional communication).

Because many types of parallel communication do not require that the connection be bidirectional, many computer manufacturers configure parallel ports for AT-style communication by default. (This type of communication reduces processor overhead because the processor does not have to check for incoming data.) This causes problems for Direct Cable Connection, which does require that the connection be bidirectional.

KBCategory: kbtool kbhw kbusage KBSubcategory: wpp95 win95 appscomp Additional reference words: 95 DCC ============================================================================= Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1995.