Newbie- PCI-Express Parallel Port Adaptor card - Will it work ?

[roli_bark]

My computer does not have a parallel port, neither a legacy [old] PCI slot.
It only has PCI-Express slots.

For CNC Controlling SW via a Parralel-Port, will a 'PCI-Express Parallel Port Adaptor' card - work ?

Thanks

[SirSmash]

Yes that should work fine.

[roli_bark]

Originally Posted by SirSmash Yes that should work fine.

Thanks, but do you have an actual good working experience controlling CNC with a PCI-Express Parallel card ?

I'm looking for a real practical experience from someone who actually have a good working experience with a "PCI-Express Parallel Card", before I buy one.

[SirSmash]

Originally Posted by roli_bark I'm looking for a real practical experience from someone who actually have a good working experience with a "PCI-Express Parallel Card", before I buy one.

Probably should have specified that. I have a small business, only 3 people at the moment, but we started making CNC machines and have tried PCI-Express cards to answer if the machines would work or not; internally we use old point of sale systems as they are cheap as dirt, have on-board parallel ports, and touch screens. Personally I'd recommend that route as the touch screens are rather nice and an entire system can be bought for under $100.

We also tried other things like PCMCIA to Parallel which doesn't work very well though there are issues with using laptops and CNC's. You may want to check eBay, buy-it-now the PCI-Express cards are under $10 with free shipping.

[roli_bark]

Originally Posted by SirSmash Probably should have specified that. I have a small business, only 3 people at the moment, but we started making CNC machines and have tried PCI-Express cards to answer if the machines would work or not; internally we use old point of sale systems as they are cheap as dirt, have on-board parallel ports, and touch screens. Personally I'd recommend that route as the touch screens are rather nice and an entire system can be bought for under $100. We also tried other things like PCMCIA to Parallel which doesn't work very well though there are issues with using laptops and CNC's. You may want to check eBay, buy-it-now the PCI-Express cards are under $10 with free shipping.

Appreciate your detailed practical experience response. Thank you !
Yes, I found some under $10 PCI-Express Parallel Port adaptor cards on eBay.
Will defintely buy 1 or 2.
Again, thank you.

[Larken]

For CNC Controlling SW via a Parralel-Port, will a 'PCI-Express Parallel Port Adaptor' card - work ?

It will only work if the control software can talk to the PCI bus. Not all can.

[roli_bark]

Originally Posted by Larken It will only work if the control software can talk to the PCI bus. Not all can.

The control SW is either Mach3 or EMC2.
Will they work with a PCI-E Parallel adapter card ?

[neilw20]

The card installation program should make install as a standard parallel port.
Then look at the properties, find the port address and enter that into the Mach3 settings - Ports and Pins.
I have a standard PAR 0200 netmos PCI card that works.

[ROB C]

I personally had no luck with a parallel pci card. couldn't seem to find any settings like they provide in the bios. Had no problem with a computer with a built in port. Though i may give it another try with neilw20's suggestions.

[andypugh]

Originally Posted by roli_bark The control SW is either Mach3 or EMC2. Will they work with a PCI-E Parallel adapter card ?

They ought to work with EMC2 if they work with Linux. I would say that the chances were very good, but have no personal experience.

[roli_bark]

Thanks everybody, and of course, neilw20's tips are much appreciated !
When I get the PCI-E card (ordered from eBay), I'll try and let you'all know of my experience.

[neilw20]

Originally Posted by ROB C I personally had no luck with a parallel pci card. couldn't seem to find any settings like they provide in the bios. Had no problem with a computer with a built in port. Though i may give it another try with neilw20's suggestions.

These cards are plug and play, and may appear in the BIOS.
In Windows, go to device manager, ports, and properties, resources or details tab of the device and you will find the address there if the port exists in the system. It will more than likely be LPT, and in the same place as the COM ports.

Plug and Play in the BIOS needs to be enabled for automatic identification by windows, but some installation programs that come with the cards can still find them.
Some cards need the installation software that came with the card to be installed. One way or the other, you should be able to make it work.
Under win98, win2000 or XP it should be no problem. As for vista and W7, that may take a bit more searching.