How to Move Data through the Parallel Port in DOS

The capacity to move data through parallel port in DOS can be helpful. It provides a user capability to print out the file contents in DOS and move data across a parallel (LPT) port. This can be helpful as parallel port is a 25 pin port which gives comparatively high bandwidth. The parallel port can be simply utilized to control robotics or other electronic devices using easy instructional code. Here explained how to move data through parallel port in DOS.

Instructions

1. Step 1

Start MS-DOS command screen. It can also be accessed from Windows 95, 98, and 98SE by ticking "Start", "Run". Then type "cmd" and tick "OK".

2. Step 2

Organize LPT ports. Printer was usually connected to first parallel port (LPT1). To organize LPT ports utilize mode command. Test LPT1 port by typing the following command:
mode lpt1/status

Following command can be utilized to LPT traffic to a com. To forward parallel port 1 (LPT1) data to COM port 1 (COM1) apply command:
mode lpt1 = com1

3. Step 3

Copy a data file over printer port (LPT1) using following command. Remember command is designed to send ASCII data through port in format set up by printer.sys file in DOS.

copy [drive location]:[file name].[extension] [port location]

4. Step 4

Organize wires to control data from right pins. Using a standard DB25, following pin address must be considered.

DB25 Name of Reg
pin Signal Bit

1 -Strobe C0-
2 Data 0 D0
3 Data 1 D1
4 Data 2 D2
5 Data 3 D3
6 Data 4 D4
7 Data 5 D5
8 Data 6 D6
9 Data 7 D7
10 -Ack S6+
11 +Busy S7-
12 +PaperEnd S5+
13 +SelectIn S4+
14 -AutoFd C1-
15 -Error S3+
16 -Init C2+
17 -Select C3-

You can utilize D0 through D3 to send 4 bits of data through parallel port individually and utilize D4 to coordinate timing of data as this is one method communiqué.