C
Curmudgeon
Jerry said:
Yep.
I've connected/disconnected many a parallel printer with NO problem,
but I knew I might one day incur on.
Those days are past.
Yep.
I've connected/disconnected many a parallel printer with NO problem,
but I knew I might one day incur on.
Those days are past.
S
Steve N.
R. McCarty said:
I'm not sure what you mean, but regardlesss of bi-directional, ECP and
EPP firmware modes, the actual port interface circuitry is still
sensitive to static-induced (or other) electrical discharge. That's why
you don't make/break connections while the device or port are hot. It is
just not a hot-swapable hardware achitecture, wasnever intended to be
and still is not. That's one reason why they invented data switches and
some of those weren't even safe enough and people were killing laser
printer interfaces using them, so then they invented "non-shorting"
(actually, non-arcing) data switches for use with some of those
particularly sensitive peripheral devices to lessen the liklihood of
electrical discharges damaging sensitive interface circuits while
making/breaking peripheral connections (which is what a switch does).
Steve
D
DevilsPGD
In message <[email protected]> ALP
In theory, you might cause damage. In reality, MOST of the time you'll
be fine. However, since the hardware isn't designed to be hotswappable,
and the interface isn't buffered, what worked 1000 times before might
fry the printer and/or the computer one day.
The easiest solution is to buy a USB <--> Parallel adapter which is
designed to allow you to hotswap. They're relatively cheap vs the cost
of replacing the failed hardware even if all that dies is a printer.
In theory, you might cause damage. In reality, MOST of the time you'll
be fine. However, since the hardware isn't designed to be hotswappable,
and the interface isn't buffered, what worked 1000 times before might
fry the printer and/or the computer one day.
The easiest solution is to buy a USB <--> Parallel adapter which is
designed to allow you to hotswap. They're relatively cheap vs the cost
of replacing the failed hardware even if all that dies is a printer.
D
DevilsPGD
In message <[email protected]>
It's also worth noting that hardware these days isn't built to the same
specs that were used in the good 'ol days. Tolerances are tighter
(meaning that a small surge is more likely to cause damage), profit
margins are thinner (reducing the chance that a manufacturer will go the
extra mile and make sure that a small spike doesn't damage anything),
and not only that, people don't use COM/LPT ports as much as was done in
the past since virtually all new hardware is USB.
Curmudgeon said:
It's also worth noting that hardware these days isn't built to the same
specs that were used in the good 'ol days. Tolerances are tighter
(meaning that a small surge is more likely to cause damage), profit
margins are thinner (reducing the chance that a manufacturer will go the
extra mile and make sure that a small spike doesn't damage anything),
and not only that, people don't use COM/LPT ports as much as was done in
the past since virtually all new hardware is USB.
H
HeyBub
ALP said:
I've done it thousands of times. One of two things must be true:
1. You have a dainty, delicate, fussy computer that is so flimsy and poorly
engineered you should look at the monitor with only one eye.
2. The person who warned you is playing with an empty quiver.
T
T. Waters
Steve said:
Thanks for the heads up. Your description of the unprotected nature of these
ports has made me seen the light!
K
Kevin Brunt (Fat B@stard)!!
I would say ignore everything Steve N says as there is evidence that he is talking from his brain located in his boots! He likes to wind people and if you do a search you will find that he disagrees with everybody (including regulars who are correct most of the time) on these newsgroups.
S
Steve N.
HeyBub said:
The fact that you've gotten away with it "thousands of times" is
irrelevant. I have persoanlly seen do so permantently damage equipment
many, many times.
The person who warned the OP has been a computer technician since 1985
and an electronics technician since 1970, including digital electronics.
Save your lame remarks for someone you know something about.
Steve
S
Steve N.
Kevin said:
Prove it.
Steve
N
NobodyMan
Neither of these arguments is statistically relevant. Both are
presented as anectodotal evidence, with not a shred of actual truth
for either side. Personal observation isn't scientifc fact.
OK, now this has teeth. When a recognized expert testifies, then
people should listen. The problem here is that nobody knows you OR
your touted expert, so why should they believe either?
S
Steve N.
HeyBub said:
HeyBub, don't take my word for it...
http://www.ctips.com/spp.html
Parallel port data lines:
" These 8 lines carry the information to be printed and also special
printer codes to set the printer in different modes like italics, each
line carries a bit of information to be sent, the information here
travels only from the computer to the printer or other parallel device.
These lines function with standard TTL voltages, 5 volts for a logical 1
and 0 volts for a logical 0."
http://www.pmdx.com/Resources/parallel-port.html
"6. Electrical
See also the tutorial section below on TTL outputs. The Data Out pins
were orginally driven by a 74LS374 octal latch, which could source 2.6
mA and sink 24 mA. There were 0.0022uF capacitors between each line and
ground to reduce transients. The manual warns "It is essential that the
external device not try to pull these lines to ground", as this might
cause the 74LS374 to source more current than it could handle without
damage. "
http://www.epanorama.net/circuits/parallel_output.html
"You can break parallel ports by connecting devices to them when PC is
powered on."
Now, if you really want to get deep into a small amount of the stuff I
know check this out:
http://www.repairfaq.org/filipg/LINK/PORTS/F_PARALLEL14.html#PARALLEL_002
HeyBub, how's that for an "empty quiver"?
Steve
S
Steve N.
NobodyMan said:
Some people here know me fairly well I think and *I* happen to be the
"touted expert" (as you termed it) that I referred to. If you'd have
followed this thread you'd know that. But don't take my word for it,
read my second response to HeyBub.
What you or anyone else chooses to believe is not my problem, I tell the
truth as I know it. If someone can prove me to be incorrect I assure you
that I am not above correction and have no problem accepting it when I'm
wrong about something.
As far as being "a recognized expert" goes, who the heck are you?
Now, if you want me to post my resume, then offer me a job (not that I
need or want or am looking for a different one).
Steve
G
Guest
No offense taken Steve...just was saying he was contridicting himself by
saying that. Nothing wrong with different opinions...it's what the board is
for. I just hope ALP doesn't run into any problems.
saying that. Nothing wrong with different opinions...it's what the board is
for. I just hope ALP doesn't run into any problems.
P
Paul Knudsen
If the computer is off, what difference does it make if the printer is
on? I've plugged and unplugged the printer lots of times while on
(Computer off) with no problems.
I'd consider it a warranty issue and ask for a new motherboard!
B
Bob I
In my book, Anything attached with screw fasteners is NOT to be hot
plugged!
Paul Knudsen wrote:
plugged!
Paul Knudsen wrote: