6
\$\begingroup\$

I've been working on a project in my faculty that requires me to use a parallel port, but as I see my laptop doesn't have one!

I've been searching for a way to simulate the parallel port on my laptop, like when I send some data to the address 378H, the program that's like the simulator will give me an indication that he has received them and so on...

I found this website but it wasn't useful. Also have been googling all the night , but didn't find any ....

If you needed any more information I will be more than happy to provide them

I'm using Windows 7

\$\endgroup\$
8
  • \$\begingroup\$ Explaining "but wasn't useful" would be a very good idea. The solution sounds potentially good - what was wrong with it? \$\endgroup\$
    – Russell McMahon ♦
    Commented Jan 10, 2012 at 6:41
  • \$\begingroup\$ @RussellMcMahon I can't determine which lang this code was written by , so I couldn't compile it ...stupid excuse , but I always seek for a .exe solution \$\endgroup\$
    – xsari3x
    Commented Jan 10, 2012 at 6:45
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ That code fragment would not help you, it is a stub for the parallel port access routines in some pascal-like language, not a simulated-hardware-level parallel port replacement. \$\endgroup\$
    – Wouter van Ooijen
    Commented Jan 10, 2012 at 7:04
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ I think I've to make my own simulator .... C# here we go \$\endgroup\$
    – xsari3x
    Commented Jan 10, 2012 at 7:26
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it is about port-write interception on desktop operating systems rather than about electronics or embedded development. It may also be about buying products, another topic which is prohibited here (though product purchases won't do any good without a driver that can intercept port writes). \$\endgroup\$
    – Chris Stratton
    Commented Sep 13, 2018 at 4:42

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
3
\$\begingroup\$

You can try to make this USB2LPT adapter.

Added by RMc:

@xsari3x - This is capable of being a purely software solution if desired.

  • "Contrary to all other USB→Parallel adapters which can connect to printers only, this makes connection to most hardware - without adapting the software! A parallel port will be virtualized by the accompanying driver. "

As he provides the driver source code via this page you will be able to bypass the hardware by modifying the source code.

\$\endgroup\$
6
  • \$\begingroup\$ I'm seeking for a pure SW solution , but this one is great :D \$\endgroup\$
    – xsari3x
    Commented Jan 10, 2012 at 11:24
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ What do you mean by a pure software solution? How can software cause 5 V to appear on a pin on a wire that doesn't exist? \$\endgroup\$
    – The Photon
    Commented Jan 11, 2012 at 3:47
  • \$\begingroup\$ @xsari3x: If you are looking for a way to just have a software visualization of a byte located at address $378, then you should probably read it by polling with some direct port access library and visualize it's bits graphically. Asking such a question at electronics forum gives you answers you saw. \$\endgroup\$
    – avra
    Commented Jan 12, 2012 at 9:13
  • \$\begingroup\$ USB adapters are not true parallel ports, they are printer ports. There is a difference. Such as you cannot use FPGA parallel programming cables and such with a printer port. If you get to wanting hardware and your laptop has an ExpressCard slot, then look for a PCI-Express based (NOT USB based) parallel port card for that. I've got one that also has two serial ports, which also saved me in a class using an old Rabbit processor board and my usual USB-serial adaptor was not compatible with the Rabbit stuff. \$\endgroup\$
    – billt
    Commented Jan 12, 2012 at 20:50
  • \$\begingroup\$ @xsari3x - iT ISGREAT . iT IS CAPABLE OF BEING A PURELY SOFTWARE SOLUTION TOO. His english page here notes "Contrary to all other USB→Parallel adapters which can connect to printers only, this makes connection to most hardware - without adapting the software! A parallel port will be virtualized by the accompanying driver. " and he provides the driver source code, so you will be able to bypass the hardware by modifying the source code. \$\endgroup\$
    – Russell McMahon ♦
    Commented Jan 12, 2012 at 22:54
1
\$\begingroup\$

Summarised_Solution:

  • The easiest way to do this is to add a parallel port ! :-)

  • USB to parallel port converters are available - some at very modest cost. Cost starts from under $US4 including postage.

The easiest way to do this is to add a parallel port using an available USB to parallel port converter. These are available on ebay for from under $US4 including postage.

This doesn't have to work very well - the main aim is probably that your code thinks it is talking to a viable port.

The two examples below are in HongKong and will mail to Egypt and total cost is allegedly under $US4. You can find many more on ebay - most in US or Asia probably. Couldn't find any Egyptian sellers - but yiur local computer stores should have these.

This ebay seller in Hong Kong will provide a USB to parallel port converter for GBP1 (About $US1.50) and send it to Egypt for another GBP1. About $US3.50 all up.

enter image description here

This one is a similar price and same mailing charge.

enter image description here

\$\endgroup\$
4
  • \$\begingroup\$ I live in Egypt :D , If I ordered this it will come to me after 24 days ++ , Isn't there some solution In Protues or Multisim ? \$\endgroup\$
    – xsari3x
    Commented Jan 10, 2012 at 7:19
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ @xsari3x - IIRC I think Multisim does have a parallel port component you might be able to use. Check on their site and maybe ask in the forum. \$\endgroup\$
    – Oli Glaser
    Commented Jan 10, 2012 at 8:49
  • 2
    \$\begingroup\$ Also note that majority of USB to parallel port cables are for printers only! This is actually quite a big problem. \$\endgroup\$
    – AndrejaKo
    Commented Jan 10, 2012 at 11:16
  • \$\begingroup\$ Or try this one: USB2LPT \$\endgroup\$
    – billt
    Commented Jan 12, 2012 at 20:58

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.