This experiment investigates the ability for your computer to use the newer ECP/EPP parallel ports to emulate legacy SPP or Bi-Directional modes. With the script routines included in this experiment, you can configure your parallel port so that the DATA port (pins 2-9) act as either input or output. Using these commands allows for ease of configuration amongst the widest range of computers and reduces the need to edit the system BIOS to configure parallel ports.
By default, E-Prime has traditionally worked the best with parallel ports that are in Output Only or SPP mode. In this legacy mode, the parallel port allows for eight bits of output on the DATA port (pins 2-9). 5 bits of data could be read from the Status port.
Nearly all newer computers come equipped with the more up to date ECP/EPP parallel ports, which provide the ability to emulate the older SPP or Bi-Directional parallel ports. This allows for the ability to set the DATA port on the parallel port for reading or writing (but not simultaneously).
To use the routines in your experiment, first copy and paste the User script area from this experiment into your experiment. Then, copy the 'Const PORT_ADDRESS' line from the top of the GetPortInfo InLine and paste it into your experiment, changing the port address value if needed. Finally, call the appropriate routines to configure your parallel port.
For more information see...
INFO: General Parallel Port Information
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