Parallel Port on XP

[Homer]

Hi All,

I have a simple Stepper Motor Controler that uses Parallel port for
connection. I had no problem using it with Win98 but now with WinXP
story is different.

The problem I have is not protection issue in NT/XP OSes. The problem
is as soon as I connect my cable to parallel port, my steppers motors
lock down. It seem parallel port is sending some signal regardless of
having any program running or not.
If I boot from Win98, everything is good.

Something is setting my parrallel pins to Hi and Low without having any
program running (and no prointer is defined). Any idea?

P.S. I have already ran UserPort.exe hack to release the protection.

 

[JS]

Most parallel ports have options like ECP, Enhanced and interrupt options.
Use Device manager to check this.

JS

 

[Homer]

And what does this means. Should I disable ECP? Should I change
something in Device Manager? Properties?

 

[JS]

I would try to disable ECP (bi-directional communications) especially IF the
Stepper Motor Controller does not communicate back to the PC. If that
doesn't work experiment with the port settings.

JS