Measurement Computing WaveBook rev.5.3 User Manual
Page 122
7-14 Troubleshooting
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WaveBook User’s Manual -
IO version
15. Parallel Port Problems
Possible Causes
Details and Possible Solutions
Faulty parallel
port cable or
connection.
Check that the parallel port cable is not loose, damaged, connected to the wrong PC port, or is not
compatible with the system (standard parallel port cables are not compatible). Check both ends of the
parallel port cable to verify proper connection. If the cable appears fine and the connections are good
check to see that the cable was supplied from the factory. If not, it may be incompatible and should be
replaced with a factory issued cable (CA-35-12, 12 inch cable; CA-35-2, 2-foot cable; or CA-35-6,
6-foot cable). These three cables are 1284-compliant. Standard parallel cables will not work properly,
primarily due to a lack of shielding.
The LPT port is
not correctly
configured.
The LPT Port may not be properly configured in CMOS for the selected protocol. Selecting a
communications protocol in the Daq Configuration utility, such as EPP or ECP generally requires that
this mode also be set in the PC BIOS settings. This must be done in both the CMOS Setup of the PC
BIOS as well as in the Windows device manager. In Windows NT, this need only be done in CMOS
and the system will adjust to the change.
Refer to your host computer’s documentation for instructions on changing the parallel port mode.
The selected
protocol is not
compatible.
If the selected protocol, e.g., 8-bit, ECP, EPP, is not compatible between the PC and the WaveBook it
may be due to the fact that parallel ports vary between different PC manufacturers. While some
protocols may work with WaveBooks on certain PCs, those same protocols may not work with others.
If the EPP mode will not work, it is likely due to a subtle incompatibility between the particular PC
and the IOtech drivers. In these cases, a more generic protocol such as Standard 8-bit or 4-bit protocol
must be used. Standard 4-bit protocols are likely to work, even when others do not.
Also see Table 3, “ECP and/or EPP protocol problem.”
Notes
Make sure the parallel port is operable and capable of generating interrupts. The parallel port, to which the WaveBook is to
be connected, must be properly configured in order for the device to operate correctly.
Each device must be configured using the Daq Configuration Applet [located in the Windows Control Panel]. If a device
is not configured correctly it will not be accessible from an application.
If communications cannot be established with the WaveBook or, if trying to connect causes the system to hang or crash, try
the following:
•
Verify that the MODULE POWER switch is set to ON and that the MODULES ON indicator is lit.
•
Check to make sure that the Notebook PC communication cable is properly connected to the WaveBook’s DB25
connector labeled “TO COMPUTER PARALLEL PORT.”
•
Check that the desired LPT port is properly configured and the base address and interrupt are recognized by the
operating system.
•
Check the BIOS settings for the LPT port. Make sure that the BIOS LPT protocol settings are compatible with the
settings selected for the LPT port. "Compatibility mode" is recommended.
•
Run the Daq Configuration applet from the Windows Control Panel. Make sure the device is configured to the
appropriate LPT port with the appropriate protocol. Run the device test and if it fails try other protocols for the
device. Be sure to click on
to apply the settings, before re-running the test.
•
Windows NT/2000: Make sure that the driver has been loaded. The installation will configure the operating
system to automatically load the driver at boot-up. However, if there is a problem communicating with the device,
the driver can be loaded manually by using the following start sequence from a DOS shell:
NET START WAVEBK
.
To unload the driver manually, use the following sequence:
NET STOP WAVEBK
.