What to do with a weak parallel port

picree · Post by **picree** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 9:32 am

It seems my parallel port voltage doesn't match my RS 15-2116 very well. Sometimes uploading works and sometimes it doesn't (either fails to see the remote or doesn't 'hang up' properly).

Is there anything I can do? The remote has fresh batteries. The computer is a Dell XPS desktop. I'm plugging directly into the port, no switches or boxes.

Would it help to install an adapter and use the serial port instead? USB? Any sort of 'powered' port adapter?

gfb107 · Post by **gfb107** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 10:07 am

Try with no batteries in the remote, or if the 15-2116 is a 4 battery remote, with one of the batteries reversed.

Mark Pierson · Post by **Mark Pierson** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 3:03 pm

Did you buy or build your JP1 interface? Do you know if it uses 1k or 10k resistors?

picree · Post by **picree** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 9:21 pm

gfb107-The battery thing sounds interesting. I'll try a few of those ideas and let you know.

Mark-I built my own and used a 1K 1/4W (Radio Shack 271-1321). Which would would work best? Unfortunately, once I test the connector I fill it w/ hot melt glue which provides great strain relief but not so great for modifying.

Should I make a new one w/ a 10k?

Mark Pierson · Post by **Mark Pierson** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 3:32 am

picree wrote:Should I make a new one w/ a 10k?

No, the 1k resistors are from the latest design to help with low voltage parallel ports.

What about the diode... did you use the 1N4148 as specified? There's been an alternate design using a Schottky diode that is supposed to help, especially on laptops.

picree · Post by **picree** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 1:10 pm

I think I used the 1N4148. Let me search on Schottky and contemplate making up a new cable. I should note that this cable has worked fine on an IBM notebook and an older Dell 8400 desktop. It's just this new XPS desktop that's giving me trouble.

Be back latter,