Hello,
You can use VISA to access the parallel port just as you would a COM (serial) port, only you will likely specify the LPT alias in the resource name selector; this will have an asrl formal name as well which you could use. In any event, which VI are you using and which VISA operation times out? If you could get an NI-Spy capture and post it, it may elucidate what is going on! The following link will help you get such a capture if you are not already familiar:
http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/websearch/8D890EC09B15C05A86256E6F007E3E86?OpenDocument
Repost if you are still having problems!
Best Regards,
JLS