Newsgroups: comp.robotics
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From: csh097@cch.coventry.ac.uk (Rob Smith)
Subject: Help using parallel ports needed
Message-ID: <CHD1x8.F2L@cck.coventry.ac.uk>
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Organization: Coventry University
Distribution: uk
Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1993 14:36:42 GMT
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Hi,

I am trying to use the parallel ports on a PC (486SX33 if it  matters )
to control various things, eg light sensors and lights.

The  point  of this project is to control as many aspects of a darkroom
as possible, ie timer, enlarger head, colour analyser etc.  

The trouble is that I can't find any info on how to  control  the  port
for  input &  output.   I am trying to use QBASIC to control the ports,
but am having difficulty finding much more information about how to  do
this than a mere mention in a book, followed by a change of subject.

Has anyone out there tried to use the parallel ports for anything other
than plugging printers into, as that is all the  book  world  seems  to
think it is for.

Currently I am trying to light a few LEDs in a breadboard to  try  time
controls,  but  am  having  little  success. Which pins have to be held
high or low for me to be able to do this. (My parallel  port  is  25pin
not centronics). 

Thanks in advance for any help

Rob.

