parallel port coding

[Monaco]

Looking for advice on how to code a program or two that will allow me to contol the outputs on my parallel port.

I need to be able to turn on and off certain pins on the port, and have duration and sequence contol over pins 2 thru 9.

Any ideas?

[drunkmonkey]

You will have to use C++ probably or in VB6 find an ActiveX thingy 4 it. Most likely C++.
I only know VB6 though, so I'm not totally sure. My motto, "C++ = HARD" lol

Edit: I just had a brain spasm and actually thought for a second,:D. What if you were to hack some drivers that controlled a really old printer or scanner? It would be hard to do but it might work. Also, for $70-100 radioshack sells this wierd lil card that hooks up to ur printer port and has a bunch 'o' analog/digital outputs and a few inputs. I'll try to find it. BRB i hope.

[Monaco]

hey thanks for the reply-

I know about that RadioShack doo-dad you mention- I used to be an RS store manager:) I suppose I could modify that with switches to work my creation, but it wouldn't help with a software solution I think.

The thing I am trying to control is here, at Pointofnoreturn.org (http://casemods.pointofnoreturn.org/cpumeter/). There is a program availible there that controls the meter, it is free and open source so maybe that is a good starting point.

I'd need a language that can easily access hardware directly, and then a bit of help finding the controls for the parallel port- a know it was easy enough in BASIC-era languages, but now I don;t know what is easiest. I'd rather avoid C of possible. I have the same motto as you:)

[drunkmonkey]

ahh found it, whoops sorry it's $150, here it is: http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F009%5F001%5F005%5F000&product%5Fid=990%2D0185
oohhh, aahhh, cool lookin du-hickey huh?
or if you hold on to a nickel so hard you squezze out Abe's buggers this looks hackable:
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F009%5F017%5F000%5F000&product%5Fid=990%2D0416

that's about all I can think(oww) of.

[trey_w]

look into labview, also known as code G by National Instruments

this is an example of the kind of programs you can do

this program simply reads a thirmistor through a DAQ card, GPIB, Parallel port, or serial

the book tells you how to get what you want and what each pin can do look at this link

[drunkmonkey]

I'm going on c-net to look for some activeX stuff now, I'll see if I can find one for u, here is where I'm going: http://download.cnet.com/downloads/0-10081.html?tag=dir
It is a great place 2 get activeX stuff. I luve everything about radioshack except 4 da prices.
Hacking is so wonderful, If we get dis working I might try some of this stuff.:beer:

[drunkmonkey]

Who's ur daddy? Who's da man? I am.
Just found something I think will work:
http://download.cnet.com/downloads/0-10106-100-8205276.html?tag=st.dl.10001-103-1.lst-7-14.8205276
its an activeX component that will control ur parallel port pns individually. I'm downloading it now.
If u don't like that try this http://download.cnet.com/downloads/0-14480-100-908611.html?tag=st.dl.10001-103-1.lst-7-5.908611

[Monaco]

Who's ur daddy? Who's da man?

You are!! You are!! LOL

thanks man, that is some good linkage there! I'm going to take a look at that stuff, see if I can piece something together.

trey_w that looks like a pretty cool logger. The device I built is one-way, it receives only but version 2 wil be bi-directional so I'll have to keep labview in mind. Thanks!