dongle detection fails with parallel PCI card

[val]

Hi
I have a new DELL dDimension 5150 computer with XP sp2 and a parallel
port on a PCI card from SUNIX (PCI 4079A multi io adapter, 1 parallel
and 2 serials, chipset is sun1889). The pci card is configured as lpt1
and I can print using it, no problem.
My problem is that I need to run an old DOS program which is activated
by a dongle on the Parallel port (lpt1) and it's not working. I suspect
that the card is working well as output but maybe something is wrong
when the application try to read the port to see the dongle. Does
anyone had experienced this kind of problem ?
Thanks in advance
val

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Val;
It is probably incompatible with Windows XP.
Check with the program manufacturer for Windows XP compatibility or ask
other users what they do to get it to work on Windows XP.

 

[Bob I]

Contact the vendor of the DOS program for the solution. Their software
is what needs to be updated to read the dongle properly.

 

[val]

Thanks both for your answers.
I will ask the manufacturer about compatibility.
If I contact the DOS program vendor I know he will push us toward
buying the new win version but we don't want to do that because the
program works very well and it has been updated few times with new
features which may not be available on the win version.

I wonder if there is a PCI card which is known to work with dongles in
XP. If anybody know one I'll be very happy to buy one.
val

 

[Kerry Brown]

Hi
I have a new DELL dDimension 5150 computer with XP sp2 and a parallel
port on a PCI card from SUNIX (PCI 4079A multi io adapter, 1
parallel and 2 serials, chipset is sun1889). The pci card is
configured as lpt1 and I can print using it, no problem.
My problem is that I need to run an old DOS program which is activated
by a dongle on the Parallel port (lpt1) and it's not working. I
suspect that the card is working well as output but maybe something
is wrong when the application try to read the port to see the dongle.
Does anyone had experienced this kind of problem ?
Thanks in advance
val

Some things to try. Sometimes it works, sometimes not, depending on the card
and the dongle.

Make sure the card is set for LPT1, IRQ 7 if at all possible. In the device
manager properties for the port: click on the Port Settings tab, make sure
the Filter resource method is set to "Use any interrupt assigned to the
port", on the Resources tab make sure there is no check mark in "Use
automatic settings" In the "Setting based on" drop down list pick a
configuration that matches your card. Make sure the built in port on the
motherboard is not using the same settings. Good luck.

Kerry

 

[Ron Martell]

Hi
I have a new DELL dDimension 5150 computer with XP sp2 and a parallel
port on a PCI card from SUNIX (PCI 4079A multi io adapter, 1 parallel
and 2 serials, chipset is sun1889). The pci card is configured as lpt1
and I can print using it, no problem.
My problem is that I need to run an old DOS program which is activated
by a dongle on the Parallel port (lpt1) and it's not working. I suspect
that the card is working well as output but maybe something is wrong
when the application try to read the port to see the dongle. Does
anyone had experienced this kind of problem ?
Thanks in advance
val

Most DOS dongles operate by having the application program control the
hardware (printer port) directly instead of using operating system
function calls.

This is totally prohibited in all NT based versions of Windows,
including XP.


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Admiral Q]

I'll tend to agree with Ron on this one - most 16-bit apps requiring dongles
that act as the license required direct access to the hardware devices,
which as Ron stated is prohibited on NT Operating systems. You either need
to go back to a Win9x OS (Win95/98/ME) or upgrade the software to an NT/XP
compatible version. Hint: If your reasoning is the old app has been
updated several times to have abilities you think the WinXP version don't
have, I'd try re-evaluating, it most likely will have the abilities plus
additional capabilities. I've found the biggest reasons for upgrading is a)
money and b) the human stigmatism for "resistance to change" aka "having to
learn something new", when what they got works. Not criticizing, just most
of the time either the IT budget don't allow, as you said, what you have
works well (except on WinXP) and you are very familiar with what it can do
and how to do it - so you're happy with it.

 

[Guest]

We are a solution provider for situations like yours.
We replace the hardware dongle with software so you can run without the port
problem you discuss.
You can write me at (e-mail address removed) for more info.
Joe