Unable to get printer to work via LPT with guest WinXP

[Stanisław]

Actually this setting isn't necessary at all. The printer works anyway with the host, no matter the setting, just like it doesn't work with the guest, no matter the setting. The only difference is that IRQs engage the CPU more (in theory, at least).

The port is listed in the guest's Device Manager with the following settings:
https://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/2 ... age02.png/
https://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/8 ... ge01w.png/

[noteirak]

Please read Minimum information needed for assistance.

Also, do not put url towards external website, attach the items instead.

[Stanisław]

OK.

1. VirtualBox 4.2.6r82870 with Guest Addons 4.2.6r82870 installed.
2. Guest OS: Windows XP Pro SP3, 32-bit, 512 MB RAM, version 5.1.2600.
3. Host OS: Windows Server 2008 SP2 32-Bit, 3.2 GB RAM, version 6.0.6002.

[Perryg]

Code: Select all

00:00:07.274394 [/Devices/parallel/] (level 2)
00:00:07.274398 
00:00:07.274400 [/Devices/parallel/0/] (level 3)
00:00:07.274404 
00:00:07.274406 [/Devices/parallel/0/Config/] (level 4)
00:00:07.274411   IOBase <integer> = 0x0000000000000378 (888)
00:00:07.274415   IRQ    <integer> = 0x0000000000000007 (7)
00:00:07.274420 
00:00:07.274422 [/Devices/parallel/0/LUN#0/] (level 4)
00:00:07.274428   Driver <string>  = "HostParallel" (cb=13)
00:00:07.274431 
00:00:07.274433 [/Devices/parallel/0/LUN#0/Config/] (level 5)
00:00:07.274439   DevicePath <string>  = "LPT1:" (cb=6)

VBox is accepting the configuration, but I don't see any where in the log where you tried to print something. This should register AFAIK if you did.
Can you try again and this time print and look at the bottom of the log and see if there is anything registered?

It also might be possible that this build has had so many changes it could have caused a regression that would effect this and if so you would need to post a ticket at bugtracker

[Stanisław]

I had tried to print the test page a few times, then print some random rubbish from Notepad a few times, then I have shut the VM down.

Here's the log.

[Perryg]

I don't see any tries, so it must be that the DEVs have turned off the extra logging. I really think your best chance to resolve this is bugtracker.

[Stanisław]

Thank you very much for your assistance. I have filed a bug ticket, and we'll see what the future will bring.

https://www.virtualbox.org/ticket/11387

[avatrx]

I too am having an issue getting my parallel device to work. I don't claim to have anywhere near the level of knowledge most of you do on this site but here is where I am. I have a plotter cutter running OLD software that will only output to a parallel or serial port. I am successfully able to 'cut' when using a free trial of a newer software when using my WIN7 computer so I know the port (LPT1) works. I didn't have to setup anything other than the plotter/cutter name, but can't figure out how to access the LPT1 in my virtual device.
Host computer is Win7, 64 bit. Guest computer is WIN XP Pro (32 bit version).

I've been able to setup everything else. - thumb drives, USB printer, USB hardware key required to run my software. Those options were available in the 'device' tab at the top of the page. Nothing there that would pertain to a serial or parallel port.

Is there a kindergarten level tutorial on how to setup the LPT1 port on my XP guest? I've looked and so far haven't found it. I have read thru the posts but still need more info.

Thanks to all in advance for any and all help.

[mpack]

I have knocked up an LPT tutorial for you here. It's a first bash, so it remains to be seen how useful it is.

[avatrx]

This is where i wish I had 2 monitors on that particular computer. I'll give it a shot and post back.

I am connected to the network. I can access the internet using either the host or guest. My host computer (WIN7 64 bit) easily prints to the LPT1 port using newer software. Sign Tools 4 thru Corel Draw X3. My Win XP standalone computer also prints to the LPT1 port without issue. That particular computer is at my other office. I brought my cutter back to my home office since we downsized our business and have less space. That is what started this whole mess. Me trying to get the cutter to work (print - cut) on a WIN7 computer and the software telling me to 'pound sand'.

And I thought I was home free when I was able to get the VM setup with everything working except the cutter/plotter.

thanks,
-susie

[avatrx]

Re: Enabling and Configuring Parallel (LPTx) Ports

Postby mpack » 18. Feb 2013, 17:54
Step 2: Configuring the VirtualBox VM

At the time of writing, the current version of VirtualBox (v4.2.6) does not have GUI support for configuring the LPT settings of the VM, you must instead use the VBoxManage command in a terminal window (command console). Users of Windows hosts often have difficulty understanding how to use a command line: just open the command console, change to the VBoxManage folder by typing 'cd "c:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox"', and then you can type the additional commands shown below :-

General command syntax:

Code: Select all Expand view
VBoxManage modifyvm <VMname> lptmode1 <host LPT device name>
VBoxManage modifyvm <VMname> lpt1 0x378 7



Windows Host Example (where the host port I want to use is called "LPT4"):

Code: Select all Expand view
VBoxManage modifyvm "My VM Name" lptmode1 "LPT4:"
VBoxManage modifyvm "My VM Name" lpt1 0x378 7

I could not get to a directory of just VirtualBox. the only directory in Oracle was VirtualBox Guest additions.
moving on: my system would not recognize the VBoxmanage command line.

The name of my VirtualMachine is Vinyl Cutter. I have LPT1 installed and working OUTSIDE of the VM.

I'm sure I'm doing something wrong. I can't keep your instructions open while trying to follow them, so I sent them to my IPOD which kept closing as I was trying to input the commands. I didn't type in the paths the way you had them. I just kept using the CD command til I got to the VirtualBox Guest Additions. That should not have been a problem.

At that prompt I should have been able to type
VBoxManage modifyvm Vinyl Cutter lptmode1 LPT1
VBoxManage modifyvm Vinyl Cutter - something. that is where I got lost, but I never got that far.

It's been years since I've worked in DOS command lines. Anything other than basic directory and subdirectory stuff I"ve forgotten. I don't know what the correct syntax is. quotation marks? < > marks? Should I be changing the LPT1 port to something else such as LPT2 or 3 or 4? It works as LPT1 outside of the VM.

I really appreciate your help, but maybe I'm a lost cause. I did take a couple of screen shots that I could send.

-susie

[mpack]

You configure a VM on the host, not inside a guest. Since the next step of the tutorial is configuring the guest I would not have thought you would make this mistake.

[avatrx]

I thought I did Configure it on the host but I'll check again

[mpack]

"Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox Guest Additions" only exists in a Windows guest that has had the GAs installed, that folder does not exist on the host. Therefore you were looking incorrectly inside the guest.

[avatrx]

That sounds logical. I've never used a VM before. I actually thought I had closed out the VM before exercising the commands. Since I got back to a C: prompt, I thought I had arrived at the root. I initially got a c: prompt followed by something I didn't recognize, so I just used the cd\ until I got where I thought I should have gone.

For those of us who have never used a VM before, but have used DOS commands - getting used to 2 root directories gets a tad confusing. Sorry. I'm going to try it again. do I need any of the quotation marks or <> marks? It's been a long time.........................