Did Microsoft miss out something in the new versions ??

[L. Swift]

Hi all, (We have already set the BIOS to EPP or ECP+EPP, but Win2k still
detect it as ECP.)

One of our customers are running Win98 and WinMe, but now we need to move
our machines to at least Win2k pro and above. Everything works fine except
we can't find a way for Win2k or WinXP to install the parallel port as EPP
and not ECP. The reason we need EPP is because one of their main software
application requires a hardware key to be plug into the parallel port before
it can work. And this software interface with the hardware key only in EPP
mode. The software vendor is out of this business so we couldn't get any
updates from them. This software costs the customers several thousands of
dollars and is still working very well for them, so they're not going to
junk it and purchase new ones which will cost them even more.

Now we're stuck, we need at least win2k for some new apps but cannot move
forward because win2k and XP doesn't support EPP. This seems like a step
backward by mircosoft, or is it? Do anyone know how I can install EPP port
onto Win2k or XP?

We have already setup the BIOS to EPP or ECP+EPP, but Win2k still detect it
as ECP. If we try to change the port manually, we are only presented with
the option of "Communication port", "ECP printer port", "Multi-port
communication port", or "Printer port". None of these works with the
hardware key. Any takers, any solution ??

Many thanks.

L. Swift

 

[t.cruise]

Reminds me of a client who was using a bio-feedback program with hardware.
The company that made the program was out of business, and the package was
incompatible with Windows XP. You probably won't want to hear this. But if
the old software/hardware (especially old parallel port hardware wanting
full hardware access), it's more than likely not compatible with Windows XP,
and if the company is out of business it's unlikely that there are Windows
XP drivers for the hardware. You might have to look for a Windows XP
compatible software/hardware package that performs the same functions, made
by a different company, where the hardware is USB rather than parallel port.

 

[Guest]

-----Original Message-----
Hi all, (We have already set the BIOS to EPP or ECP+EPP, but Win2k still
detect it as ECP.)

One of our customers are running Win98 and WinMe, but now we need to move
our machines to at least Win2k pro and above. Everything works fine except
we can't find a way for Win2k or WinXP to install the parallel port as EPP
and not ECP. The reason we need EPP is because one of their main software
application requires a hardware key to be plug into the parallel port before
it can work. And this software interface with the hardware key only in EPP
mode. The software vendor is out of this business so we couldn't get any
updates from them. This software costs the customers several thousands of
dollars and is still working very well for them, so they're not going to
junk it and purchase new ones which will cost them even more.

Now we're stuck, we need at least win2k for some new apps but cannot move
forward because win2k and XP doesn't support EPP. This seems like a step
backward by mircosoft, or is it? Do anyone know how I can install EPP port
onto Win2k or XP?

We have already setup the BIOS to EPP or ECP+EPP, but Win2k still detect it
as ECP. If we try to change the port manually, we are only presented with
the option of "Communication port", "ECP printer port", "Multi-port
communication port", or "Printer port". None of these works with the
hardware key. Any takers, any solution ??

Many thanks.

L. Swift

test one machine,dual boot,small partition with 98 and

the rest xp pro,make sure it works with the old
incompatible/obsolete/company no longer in business
program.

if it does use sysprep and ghost all the machines or
disk duplication or network install them all.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

It really isn't an issue of an ECP vs. EPP parallel port.

Win2K, like WinNT before it, does not allow any software
applications to directly address hardware resources, such as serial or
parallel ports. This is one of the reasons the WinNT family of
operating systems is so much more stable than Win9x. For a hardware
security dongle to work on these operating system, very specific
device drivers must be provided by the application's manufacturer.

If the application's manufacturer will not (or cannot because they
no longer exist) provide you with a patch, new device driver, or
product to render this legacy application Win2K-compatible, you have
little choice other than to replace it, or continue using Win98.
You'll need to acquire a version of your application that is designed
specifically for Win2K. Contact the manufacturer of the application to
see if any updates, patches, or upgrades are available.


Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[Richard Urban]

"This software costs the customers several thousands of dollars and is still
working very well for them"

Progress costs money. It cost money to "upgrade" to a new automobile, new
T.V., hell - even a new mattress! Tell them to open their vault!

If they move forward to a newer operating, the software will no longer be
working right. Then it is time to replace it. OR, they can continue to live
in the past with their older operating system.

--
Regards:

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard

 

[Rob Schneider]

Try to avoid doing the upgrade, and in the meantime, find another vendor
for this software. Try hard to get a vendor who will stay in business.

Hope this is useful to you. Let us know.

rms

 

[Alex Nichol]

One of our customers are running Win98 and WinMe, but now we need to move
our machines to at least Win2k pro and above. Everything works fine except
we can't find a way for Win2k or WinXP to install the parallel port as EPP
and not ECP. The reason we need EPP is because one of their main software
application requires a hardware key to be plug into the parallel port before
it can work. And this software interface with the hardware key only in EPP
mode.

You will almost certainly not get it to work in XP: the code used to
check such things wants direct access to hardware in a way that XP
totally prohibits, quite apart from the EPP/ECP point where XP drivers
make no distinction that I have found
..