parallel port mode setting

I cannot set the parallel port card mode to ECP. The mode cannot be set through the BIOS, Device Manager, or on the card on my Dell Dimension E510 desktop.

It's possible to set the mode through the Extended Control Register bits 5-7. It is accessed at the basic port address + 402h.

Addresses 3BCH,278H, and 378H are reserved for the port addresses. Plug and Play has mapped my card as LPT3 with address B888.

Setting bits 5 & 6 = 1 and bit 7 = 0 in the port assigned addresses does nothing. Setting the B888 + 402h register doesn't work either.

How do I set the card mode to ECP?

 

There may need to be a specific setting in the BIOS. Try asking at the Dell Community Forums if you have no luck.

Try a Google search for "Parallel ", "ECP" and "Adapter ", you may find an adapter that will do it (this may also save making address changes in the BIOS, that could get "lost" or start problems with other hardware).

Matt