HP All-in-One Printers - Configuring the Parallel Port to Communicate with the All-in-One

Many HP all-in-one products that use a parallel port connection require that the parallel port be set to Enhanced Capabilities Port (ECP) mode before they will work correctly. ECP is a Parallel Port mode that is available on most computers to increase the speed at which data is transmitted and is set in the computer's BIOS settings.

The BIOS is a set of computer instructions that are loaded into a memory chip on the computer's motherboard. The instructions in the BIOS coordinate communication between the operating system and the computer hardware. The BIOS is independent of the version of Windows that you use. The BIOS software can be updated by downloading newer software from the manufacturer of the computer or motherboard.

note:

Changing the version of Windows installed on the computer does not affect the BIOS of the computer.

In Microsoft (R) Windows XP and 2000, the Parallel Port settings must be set in the Parallel Port properties to establish two-way communication. The Port settings are changed back to the default value every time the Parallel Port mode is changed in the BIOS and must be changed to correct the settings. Refer to the information below to set the port settings.

Verify that the version of Windows operating system installed on the computer is supported by the all-in-one software you have. Do not install HP all-in-one software that is designed for another Windows operating system. If you have the wrong software, visit HP Customer Support and download the correct HP all-in-one software drivers.

If you encounter problems while using ECP mode or if ECP mode is not available, use standard bidirectional, SPP, PS2, or AT-compatible mode, depending on which options are available in the BIOS.

The only way to verify that the parallel port is set to ECP mode is to look in the computers BIOS settings. The parallel port mode can also be checked in the parallel port properties of the Device Manager, but the Device Manager information is not always accurate. You must check the BIOS on computers that run Windows NT 4.0 because there is no Device Manager in NT 4.0.

Once the Parallel Port settings are changed to ECP mode, Windows and the HP all-in-one product software will use ECP automatically. ECP may not work on some systems, particularly portable computers. To find out if a system is in ECP mode and to change the settings for the parallel port in the computer's BIOS settings, complete the following steps:

1. Open the Device Manager.
   Windows 95, 98, and Me
   1. Right-click MyComputer from the Windows desktop, and then click Properties.
   2. Click the Device Manager tab.
      Windows 2000 and XP
   1. Right-click MyComputer from the Windows desktop, and then click Properties (in Windows XP, click Start, and then click Properties).
   2. Click the Hardware tab.
   3. Click the Device Manager button in the middle of the Hardware tab.
2. Double-click Ports in the list, and then select the reference to LPT1. You may not see “ECP” next to the reference for LPT1.
3. Double-click the parallel port entry that the all-in-one is installed on, usually the LPT1Parallel Port entry, to open the Parallel Port properties.
4. Click the Resources tab. If the parallel port is in ECP mode, two I/O ranges will be listed. If there are not two I/O ranges listed, then the parallel port is not in ECP mode.
5. One input/output range should start at 0378 for LPT1 or 0278 for LPT2. This is the system address range reserved for those ports. If an input/output range is not 0378 for LPT1 or 0278 for LPT2, the setting must be changed or the HP all-in-one will not work correctly. Contact the manufacturer of the computer for assistance changing the resource setting.

   note:

   Even if the parallel port entry is "ECP Printer Port" and has two input output ranges, the mode may be "ECP and EPP." “ECP and EPP” mode may not work correctly. The only way to verify that the mode is accurate is to check in the BIOS of the computer.

Before changing the parallel port mode, check the interrupt request and the available Direct Memory Access (DMA) channels. When changing the parallel port mode to the ECP setting, the BIOS may require that the interrupt request and DMA channels be set also.

1. In the Device Manager, do one of the following:
   • Windows 95, 98, and Me: Double-click Computer, and then click the View Resources tab. Write down the interrupt used.
   • Windows 2000 and XP: Select ResourcesbyConnection from the View menu. Write down the interrupt used for the parallel port.
2. Select the DMA section. Review the DMA channels already used. Write down the channels that have been used.
3. Exit the DeviceManager.

   note:

   Windows manages this specific DMA request. The HP all-in-one product does not make specific DMA requests.

The method for entering the BIOS will vary depending on the computer or motherboard manufacturer and model. Some portable computers have a configuration utility that can be used to make BIOS changes but normally the BIOS is entered while the computer is starting up. Restart the computer and watch the screen for the message, “Press (Key) To Enter Setup” or similar message. Press the key indicated while the message is on the screen to enter the BIOS.

The following table lists some of the most common keyboard keys and methods used to enter the BIOS for various computer manufacturers. If the computer manufacturer or the model is not listed, or you cannot enter or navigate in the BIOS, contact the manufacturer and ask for assistance and information on BIOS updates.

  caution:

Change only the settings listed below. Changing the wrong option may cause computer problems. Consult the manufacturer of the computer if you have any questions about making changes in the BIOS.

If you think you have changed the wrong setting, do not save the changes when you exit from the BIOS. If you do not save the changes, you will retain the original settings.

When the parallel port settings have been located, complete the following steps:

1. Look above the port mode to see if there is an option to configure the parallel port. The configuration for the parallel port should be set to Enabled or Auto. If the parallel port is set to be configured by the operating system or OS-controlled, change this setting to Enabled.
2. Change the port mode from the current setting (if not ECP already) to ECP. If ECP is not an available choice, select ECP/EPP, PS/2, AT-compatible, BiDi, or SPP in descending order of preference.
3. If the BIOS requires that an Interrupt request and/or DMA channel be set for the port, use the original interrupt request as determined above and/or a free DMA channel.
4. Select the option to save the settings and then exit the BIOS.
5. The computer will restart. After Windows restarts, open the Device Manager to check that the Parallel port is set to ECP mode.

Windows 2000 and XP have an additional tab in the Parallel Port properties for Port settings. These settings must be changed after altering the BIOS settings or the computer and the HP all-in-one will not be able to communicate with each other.

1. Right-click MyComputer from the Windows desktop and then click Properties (click Start first in Windows XP).
2. Click the Hardware tab.
3. Click Device Manager.
4. Double-click Ports in the list, and double-click the parallel port reference to open the PortProperties screen.
5. Click the Port Settings tab.
6. Select the option Use any interrupt assigned to the port and select Enable legacy Plug and Play detection.
7. Click OK to save the changes, and then close the Device Manager.

Review the transfer rate information below. ECP mode is approximately 24 times faster than other parallel port modes and even faster than the USB 1.0/1.1 standard that is on most existing computer motherboards. Future revisions of USB (USB 2.0 hi-speed) and IEEE1394 (Firewire) connections are or will become faster, but require motherboards (or add-in cards) and peripherals that support those standards.

The benefits of ECP mode vary from computer to computer. The greatest increase in speed occurs with older 486 and Pentium (R) systems. Some systems, particularly portable computers, may have an ECP setting in the BIOS, but the actual hardware may not use this setting correctly, especially if a docking station is used. If there is incompatibility with ECP mode, the following types of problems may occur:

• The product may print but not scan.
• The product may scan but not print.
• The product may print and scan very slowly.
• The product may scan inconsistently
• Communication errors may occur.

Go to HP Customer Support or locate the customer support information in the HP product manual.