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Can USB to Parallel Adaptor be mapped to an LPT port?

A

aswinp

Junior Member
Hi guys,

One of our application is secured by a Parallel-port security dongle. We recently upgraded our server, and the new server does not have a parallel port, all being usb.

So we purchase a usb-parallel (db25) adapter and connected the parallel security dongle to it, and windows 2000 did in fact detect the adaptor and installed "usb printing support" in the hardware list.

HOWEVER, it did not list a new LPT printer port, so the application cannot detect the parallel dongle connected to it.

Can I MAP this "USB Printing Support" into either LPT1 or LPT2, so my app can detect the parallel dongle?

Thanks very much,
Aswin
 
Another option could be to add in a parallel port using a pci card (~20$ at compusa). As many of us are running into similar problems, do let us know what works and what does not.
 
Almost all adapters for usb/parallel are very specific for just allowing printers to work. It doesn't create an lpt port. If you read the instructions or descriptions of the adapter you bought, you'll probably find that it will say it won't work with other devices like dongles, scnanners,etc.

Your best bet would be to buy a pci parallel port card and make sure it is a true parallel port and not just for printers, otherwise dongle won't work.

 
Hi. Thanks for looking that up. 😉

Yes I found that one too... but remember I dont have a printer at the end, its a parallel port security dongle that has some chip on it that my application detects in order to run. So theres no printer to map to.

http://www.aladdin.com/images/hasp/parallelRed.gif

But you've made me wonder....if I can assign an imaginary printer to it and then map to the printer using "net use lpt1: \\server\printer /Persistent:yes" ..... I wonder if my app will detect the dongle attached to it....hmmmmm...... interesting.... I actually can't wait to get to the office tomorrow, imagine that. 🙂

ps. If that doesnt work...then i might have to buy that PCI card. But I've bought two usb-par dongles just for this (I have 2 apps secured by parallel dongles) 🙁
 
The USB-Parallel adapters only work for printers. The reason is timing. If you have to use that obsolete parallel security dongle, then you are probably going to have to go the PCI card route.

Why not contact the maker of that obsolete software and see if they have a newer USB Security dongle?
 
Yes, I tried to install an imaginary printer and then mapped it to an lpt port as in the post above, and it didnt work, the security software wont recognise it. I think I might have to get a PCI card.

No, i cant ask for a USB version because the software itself we will replace very soon, I guess I'll go back to the old server for now. THANK GOD I havent reformatted the data.... 😉

Thanks guys, worth a try.
 
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