Bi-directional parallel port support in Win XP

I have a home-built PC and Windows XP Professional.

I cannot set my parallel port to bi-directional - that check
box is greyed out for my printer properties.

My printer is an HP 1220C inkjet. It prints fine but I cannot
use the Toolbox that came with the driver to monitor my ink
supply because XP says my port is incapable of bi-directional
traffic.

My computer is set up for dual-boot with Win 98 and Win XP. I
tried using the Toolbox in Win 98 and it works fine.

I cannot see anything wrong in XP's Device Manager and don't
know how to un-grey the setting for my LPT1: port so it will
run bi-directional.

Any help you be appreciated.

-- Jerry Rivers

 

Check the BIOS settings for the port.

 

Harrison, the first thing I did was check my BIOS setting for
the port. There is no setting with my BIOS that controls uni-
or bi-directional support.

Besides, Win 98 recognizes the port and bi-directional but
Win XP does not. Don't know why that would be, so I asked for
help.

Thanks.

-- Jerry Rivers

 

<snip>

It will be called 'EPP' or something like that, change it so that it is both
that and ECP

Hamman

 

"EPP + ECP" is the bidirectional setting.

 

My port was already set to ECP + EPP, which is the way I
think it is supposed to be for full bi-directional support.

Again, 98 works fine but the bi-directiona check-mark for the
Properties of my printer is greyed out.

-- Jerry Rivers

 

I went to www.asus.com, the makers of my motherboard and
looked at their support FAQs and downloads of updated
drivers. I did not find anything specific to Win XP not
recognizing an ECP+EPP Parallel Port as bi-directional.

Also, I have searched the Microsoft Knowledge Base and come
up empty.

Again, according to System Device Manager, my LPT1: is
running fine, no problems. I just can't set it for bi-
directional so my printer Toolbox will work - it is useful
because it tells me graphically how much ink is left in each
cartridge.

If anyone could explain 1) why 98 recognizes the port and XP
doesn't and 2) what to do to get XP to recognize the port as
bi-directional, I'd be appreciative.

Thanks in advance.

-- Jerry Rivers

 

You're not alone. I never noticed it before, but my HP 694C printer
also has bidirectional support grayed out in XP. ECP+EPP is enabled in
my BIOS also and it's a new motherboard (Abit). I'll be interested in
finding out why myself.

 

Any clues here?

From Google's archive:
Your shorter link is: http://makeashorterlink.com/?O2FC32017
Your shorter link is: http://makeashorterlink.com/?F3BC52017

 

If anyone could explain 1) why 98 recognizes the port and XP

It sounds like wrong drivers somewhere along the line. Possibly wrong
printer or port drivers.

Runa search on google, seen many people with same problem(including me) but
no solution.

This is the nearest to solution I came about:
http://www.paperbits.com/support.asp?mid=266

Gee

 

F3BC52017


Not much in these two articles. They were mainly about what
to do when an LPT port does not show up in Win XP.

I went back to my BIOS and played with the various
combinations of ECP, EPP, and ECP+EPP. I do not have the
option of SPP, which was mentioned in another thread above.

I see that there is at least one other XP user who has
reported that he can't get bi-directional to work either.

Havn't found anything in MS KB or the FAQs for my Asus mother
board, but the problem points directly to something wrong in
XP since Win 98 works just fine.

Well, at least I can print!

-- Jerry Rivers

 

I tried the same thing with mine. Uninstalled the printer and the port,
tried all combinations in BIOS (including SPP), and the port and printer
was redetected fine, but no bi-directional support. Also tried
different port settings in device manager with no change.
HP does not have a driver for the printer for XP on it's web site; they
tell you to use the driver in XP. Looks like they overlooked
bi-directional support in this driver.

 

Anyone ask at these groups?

comp.periphs.printers
microsoft.public.windowsnt.print
microsoft.public.windowsxp.print_fax
microsoft.public.windowsxp.device_driver.dev

Just a suggestion.

 

In my case, HP *did* have a driver for the 1220C specifically
for XP. But, that's not the problem, I don't think. I think
the printer driver is capable of bi-directional communication
along LPT1: but Win XP doesn't recognize that the *port* is
capable.

This is just another *very* annoying problem I've run across
since upgrading to XP - an O/S that everybody, including my
best friend, Bill Gates, said would solve all of my computer
wishes for years to come.

Well, I went from fast LAN performance to slug slow, I have
to run Partition Magic in Safe Mode because it doesn't like
Nvidia's video drivers, now I have to go back to Win 98 on my
dual-boot system to check the ink in my printer cartridges,
etc. I could go on, but what's the use?

-- Jerry Rivers

 

My NSP apparently doesn't provide the print_fax and
device_driver news groups so I can't post my problem there.
Dang!

-- Jerry Rivers

 

Ask them to add it. Most NSP's will gladly add a MS group.

 

You're just too smart, Boomer
Looked in microsoft.public.windowsxp.print_fax. Most problems are with
HP printers and lack of support in XP. Following are excerps from a
couple of the posts:

"Unfortunately HP Printers and Windows XP just don't go together. HP
refuses
point blank to provide any drivers for older printers and the basic
drivers
supplied with XP are just that! BASIC. No double sided printing etc.
Even
their newish printers like my 995 lose functionality with XP (Can't
collate
multi copies) and HP are just not interested. After much expense ringing
them up and complaining I've come to agree with a few other regular
posters... buy a HP and youv'e got a lemon!"

"...for xp, they say to use the
unidriv driver that comes with xp....but it stinks.
you'll lose detail, colorsmart options, media size
options...just about everything that made you proud to
own a hp printer. i know i would like a better solution!!"

That just about says it all, unfortunately.

 

I've asked GigaNews for dozens of new news groups. Haven't
seen a damn one show up yet!

-- Jerry Rivers

 

And I thought Giganews was so great!

Try these two

 

Damn!