output software program for the game or LPT port???

2k1civic · 05-03-2002, 12:52 AM

is there any software out there for win 2K that will allow me to have "on screen buttons" to control outputs off of either the lpt or game port??? i need 12v out- so i can wire them to relays- that would be great- let me know thanks

magnetik · 05-03-2002, 01:46 AM

for a start you wont get 12V out from either the game/serial/printer port without some form of hardware interface...

wizardPC · 05-03-2002, 01:49 PM

http://kitsrus.com/kits.html#k74

I just bought one of these (havent recieved it yet)

There is software and hardware documentation available there

PC relay board

I am writing some VB software to control it. I will put the source code up as well as an executable when I have tested it properly.

you can get the same instructions I got for writing VB LPT i/o software from Aaron's website

Rob · 05-03-2002, 02:01 PM

Both Aaron and me have a bit about this on our web sites, (hardware and software) also this has been posted a few month back see this thread for a load of info.

2k can be a bit of a pain as I'm discovering, however if your logged on as an administrator it should be OK.

I say should be as I've been writting to the ports on my 2k machine (well works machine) for a couple of months now with no problems, but it stopped working a few days ago and I can't work out why.

Rob

2k1civic · 05-03-2002, 02:10 PM

DUDE- let me know as soon as your done writing the software- im not to good with tha stuff- now that link you posted- can i buy that unit like that??? or do i have to build it??? how much is it??? will it work under win 2000??? thanx man-

wizardPC · 05-04-2002, 03:44 AM

http://www.mpja.com/product.asp?product=6074+KT

I got it in today

This is in KIT form, which means you get all the parts (including a PCB), but have to solder the components to the board. It took me about a half an hour to do it, but I got my first soldering gun when I was 10--your results may vary.

The software I wrote will *NOT* work with any NT based system (according to Aaron's website). I have not tested it on my XP machine because of this.

since it is getting near 4am, I probably won't put my "testing" program up until tomorrow.

2k1civic · 05-04-2002, 12:02 PM

cant i use it under the command promt in 2k though???

wizardPC · 05-05-2002, 05:28 PM

Ah, I think you misunderstood me.

You can't use *MY* software in NT. the DOS-based stuff that you can download from the site I mentioned earlier may run, though. I dont know

magnetik · 05-05-2002, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rob
2k can be a bit of a pain as I'm discovering, however if your logged on as an administrator it should be OK.

Are you sure that is what makes the difference, from what I have read and from my experence I needed to use a third party .OCX to get the ability to play with the parallel port.....

the one I am using is NTPORT, and the advantage is it works with all windows variants from 95--->XP which is nice for the end user.

and eaiser solution for VB that doesnt require a third party util would be nice tho.... so if you know how.... pass it on..

wizardPC · 05-05-2002, 06:44 PM

I uploaded my testing software (attached below)

There are 8 relay command buttons with "indicator lights"
red = off
green = on

there is a picture box at the bottom where the actual 8 bit number is shown (in binary)

NOTES:
the program does not automatically detect which outputs are on or off. But, everytime you click a command button it refreshes the picture box (but not the "indicator lights" yet)

When the computer boots into windows, output (relay) 3 is turned on. since the program does not automatically detect output status when it is loaded, if you click on relay 1 you will see:
1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

This software will only work with LPT1 right now

TO BE UPDATED LATER:
I want to be able to allow the user to select the port used (LPT1 or LPT2) and change the captions on the command buttons. I think descriptive captions will be more useful than trying to remember what pushing "Relay 7" will do.

I also want the user to be able to select a time length for the relay to be on user the timer object. I plan on using this for door locks, windows, etc.

wizardPC · 05-05-2002, 06:45 PM

forgot to attach.

Rob · 05-06-2002, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by magnetik

Are you sure that is what makes the difference, from what I have read and from my experence I needed to use a third party .OCX to get the ability to play with the parallel port.....

the one I am using is NTPORT, and the advantage is it works with all windows variants from 95--->XP which is nice for the end user.

and eaiser solution for VB that doesnt require a third party util would be nice tho.... so if you know how.... pass it on..

Well it made a difference for 2 months but now it's gone a bit weird, and I've spent almost a week trying to work out why with no luck.

Rob

PS My VR525CS speakers arrived after a week of hassel from UPS, and they are.vey nice!

2k1civic · 05-06-2002, 05:32 PM

well how much would it be if i wanted to buy one of those relays from ya????

wizardPC · 05-06-2002, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 2k1civic
well how much would it be if i wanted to buy one of those relays from ya????

well, relays are only $2. If you mean an assembled card--It was $40 to ship it here in kit form, we'll say $10 to ship it to you, and $10 for "labor" makes it $60. And I'm leaving Wednesday and won't be back here for 2 weeks, so it very well could be a month before I could get it to you.

I'll do it, but it would be much easier (and cheaper for you) if you soldered it yourself. The instructions are very simple, and the parts are printed on the board. It is perhaps easier than I made it sound??

And there is no guarantee that the parts/soldering would survive shipping it from here to there.

I'd still do it, for you ONLY, for $60
I don't want to make a habit out of it (for less than $75

)

Rob · 05-08-2002, 02:19 PM

This should work as well, it's an exe this time with installer and run time engine included, just click and off you go.

Rob

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