How to control parallel pins I/O thru USB converter

[ForstTech]

Few years back I developed a 5.1 Labview program and a 3 axis stepper motor control system. It used the parallel port on the PC for communications. The last several laptop PCs I purchased have no parallel ports, at all. So I bought some Manhattan (336581) USB to parallel convert cables. I'm attempting to use NI-VISA 3.0 to control the USB converter therefore a parallel port. I'm having some trouble finding the correct VendorID, ProductId, ManufactName, and Model Name. I did manage to create a .inf and then .pnf files from info I received but Measurement&Automation Explorer doesn't find any Usb devices, much less the one I should have created. Once I do find the device, how do I control the IEEE-1284 pins at the 25 sub-d connector? I have the block diagram of USBTMC.vi but I'm confused as how to use output and input similar to the way I used to use "outport" and "inport"in 5.1 etc. Any suggestions how to control parallel I/O using a USB to Parallel converter. Thanks Robert

[MichaelChaney]

Hi Robert,

It looks as if this device only shows up in Windows as a virtual USB printer port. The Manhattan website states that this device is only used for printers, and I'm not sure the hardware would even let you implement the full IEEE-1284 specs

http://www.manhattan-support.com/faq/index.php?sid=79757&aktion=artikel&rubrik=003003&id=30〈=en

There are other USB to Parallel port converters that will actually add a LPT port to Windows. The USB to parallel conversion should transparent, so VISA should be able to access the new LPT port the same as a standard LPT port. Be sure to find an adapter that is fully IEEE-1284 compliant, and not just for printers.

[questionable]

I am having the same problems do you know a converter that is actually complient

[SteveChandler]

You could try this one but it is really dang expensive.

[ajmartin]

Well it is cheap, but it has a centronics connector on the printer end. So you would need an adaptor to get it to a DB25.

Alan

[SteveChandler]

The adapter is twice as expensive

[ajmartin]

And if you really wanted to cover ALL bases you could purchase a "gender bender"  then your system would have the ability to work on either end ot the DB25 interface. The OP DID say DB25 but pretty much in this decade you would need a DB9, Oh no more connectors.

Alan

[questionable]

That looks like the same kind of thing it only mentions that it is for a printer, I have one like that here only it has DB25 and it doesn't work. I have found one that says it will work of on anything with a parallel port, scanners, bar-code readers, etc. if it works I will post it here. I have found a cardbus that claims the same thing, I will use that for develpement but I cant really deploy with it. I ordered both but I really need usb becouse I am connecting 3 machines and I wanted to route all them to a laptop. If these don't work I will get a tower with 3 parallel ports and be done.

Thanks

[shengko]

hi steve, i also facing the problem when using the USB to parallel port  to control output. before this i direct use the parallel port (PC) to control, now im adding a usb to parallel port to control the output (LAPTOP). it is using the device that u recommeded can solve the problem ? what is the function node that used in labview ? thanks. sheng

[GerdW]

Hi shengko,

please don't create double posts.

Stick with your original/own one!