Cannot Use Direct Cable Connection with Parallel Ports
  
PSS ID Number: Q128042
Article last modified on 09-13-1995
 
95
 
WINDOWS
 

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The information in this article applies to:
 
 - Microsoft Windows 95
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SYMPTOMS
========
 
You cannot establish a connection with Direct Cable Connection using
parallel ports.
 
CAUSE
=====
 
The parallel port in one or both of the computers you are using is not
capable of bidirectional communication, or is configured for uni-
directional communication only.
 
RESOLUTION
==========
 
If the parallel port is capable of bidirectional communication, configure
it for bidirectional communication. If the port is not cable of bi-
directional communication, you must replace it with one that is.
 
MORE INFORMATION
================
 
On some computers, you can configure the parallel ports for AT- or PS/2-
style communication in the CMOS. When you set a parallel port to AT-style
communication, the parallel port emulates an older parallel port that is
capable only of outputting data (this is referred to as unidirectional
communication).
 
Because many types of parallel communication do not require that the
connection be bidirectional, many computer manufacturers configure
parallel ports for AT-style communication by default. (This type of
communication reduces processor overhead because the processor does not
have to check for incoming data.) This causes problems for Direct Cable
Connection, which does require that the connection be bidirectional.
 
KBCategory: kbtool kbhw kbusage
KBSubcategory: wpp95 win95 appscomp
Additional reference words: 95 DCC
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Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1995.
