laptops and docking stations?

[gun_mike]

I would like to run my xylotex 3-axis board from my laptop. The laptop has no parallel port. I've read that usb to parallel port converters do not work, and ive seen the pcmcia cards that add a pp to laptops. I was thinking about using a docking station. Would a laptop docking station work?
I'm running mach3 and a 3-axis xylotex board
thanks
mike

[arnejo]

Hi mike,
If you use a "standard" docking (connected via a special port in your laptop), and not those types using USB connection, it should work OK. What kind of laptop do you have?

Arne

[gun_mike]

the laptop i have is a averatec 3250 it has 3 usb ports and monitor port and a pcmcia port, what kind of port would a standard docking station need?
mike

[arnejo]

the laptop i have is a averatec 3250 it has 3 usb ports and monitor port and a pcmcia port, what kind of port would a standard docking station need?
mike

None of these, I'm afraid. I looked up your laptop model, and it has no docking station ports. Your only option for docking station, is to use a USB connected type, and I'm afraid that this will not work. (I have not actually tested this). Maybe some others have experience with this?

Arne

[rlrhett]

I basically have the same lap top, and would rather not have to buy another just for the parallel port. My Averatec also only has USB, PCMCIA and that's it!

Is there anything that will work to create a Parallel port on this machine to work with Mach 3?