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

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

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

Both Win2K and WinXP, like WinNT before them, do not allow any
software applications to directly address hardware resources, such as
serial or parallel ports. This behavior is by design and 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/XP-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/XP. Contact the manufacturer of the application
to see if any updates, patches, or upgrades are available.


Bruce Chambers

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