Suggestion for a tiny legacy PC to use in an HTPC environment w/parallel port

[CZroe]

I have some old video game hardware that requires an old PC with a parallel port to function. A modern HTPC simply will not cut it. Even a legacy Windows XP MCE 2005 PC won't cut it because most of the software simply will not work on 2K/XP.

For example, I can't run half the utilities I need to operate a Dr.V64, a GB Xchanger, a GameShark Pro, or a Dr.V64jr512. Many are DOS utilities. I can get some to work in 2K/XP using stuff like GIVEIO.SYS, but that is not a solution for most. Some tools can't even list directories no matter what compatibility modes you chose.

Ideally, I'd like something as compact and modern as possible for low-power operation and DVI/HDMI output but it needs to have an EPP-compliant parallel port and be able to run DOS and Win9X. Being able to boot off a tiny ZIF HDD/SSD, MicroDrive, or something would be great (my old Acer Aspire One's incredibly slow Intel 8GB IDE ZIF SSD would be awesome).

My brother offered me a Via ARTiGO Pico-ITX system but it doesn't seem to have a parallel port option (it does include RS232 serial though) and it looks like it's XP-only.

If I have to use a more modern system with XP, can I virtualize DOS 6.22 and Windows 98 SE in a way that allows me to grant hardware access to the parallel port? Some of these things are REALLY picky about having an EPP-compliant port and will throw up errors right away if they don't see it.

It doesn't need to connect to the TV if it includes a compact display. Honestly, refurbishing an ancient ultra-portable notebook with a parallel port appeals to me except that I really don't want a traditional HDD if I can help it.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Can't you just add a parallel port card to the MB of your choice?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

The ASRock Q1900DC-ITX has a parallel port header. I'm sure there's others.

 

[CZroe]

Can't you just add a parallel port card to the MB of your choice?

There is no PnP in DOS and I don't recall how to configure that kind of thing. It will probably conflct if the chipset supports a vestigial parallel port, which any system that supports 9X is likely to have.

The ASRock Q1900DC-ITX has a parallel port header. I'm sure there's others.

Thanks. I'll look into it. Any idea how well it supports 9X/DOS? If I have to use virtualization, what software will give the virtualized software direct access to the real LPT port?

 

[CZroe]

I am strongly considering finding an ancient ultraportable notebook with docking station or book-PC that I can set up with VLC. I wouldn't allow it online, of course.

 

[QuietDad]

Take a look at DosBox at http://www.dosbox.com/. It simulates a DOS environment under most versions of Windows. It simulates the sound card and the Video card and you can slow things down if needed.

 

[CZroe]

Take a look at DosBox at http://www.dosbox.com/. It simulates a DOS environment under most versions of Windows. It simulates the sound card and the Video card and you can slow things down if needed.

Not going to work. I'm trying to get communicate with actual machines outside of the PC using real hardware (the parallel port). DosBox is sandboxed and the software can't connect to the parallel port natively, as I recall.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

What hardware?

You can find plenty of ITX motherboards with Parallel ports, but driver support for graphics and onboard sound is typically a no-go with Win9x.

I would probably try to find a compact-ish old desktop machine, like an NLX style desktop PC. Something like this maybe.

Otherwise, with a newer machine, you could probably use hardware passthrough to a VM. I've never tried an honest-to-goodness parallel port, but the USB->Parallel adapter I have with my old CD printer works fine.

 

[CZroe]

What hardware?

You can find plenty of ITX motherboards with Parallel ports, but driver support for graphics and onboard sound is typically a no-go with Win9x.

I would probably try to find a compact-ish old desktop machine, like an NLX style desktop PC. Something like this maybe.

Otherwise, with a newer machine, you could probably use hardware passthrough to a VM. I've never tried an honest-to-goodness parallel port, but the USB->Parallel adapter I have with my old CD printer works fine.

The USB to parallel ports definitely don't work for these picky devices. The kind that actually give you a parallel port rather than connecting straight to a IEEE 1284 Centronics printer connector also don't work. I plan to test virtualization but I'll probably pick up a legacy PC like you suggest just because I can find a lot more uses for it. I'd love to find a cheap Toshiba Libretto 50CT with port expander.

 

[gmaster456]

Perhaps a Deskpro EN?