Unable to get printer to work via LPT with guest WinXP

[mpack]

The <bracketed fields> indicate placeholders, those brackets are not to be typed literally. Explicit examples are also given in the tutorial. On the quotes question, if a command line argument contains spaces then it must be enclosed in " " quotes, otherwise the space would be treated as an argument separator. Specifically, the folder name "Program Files" includes a space, hence any path that includes that folder muse be enclosed in " " quotes.

A VM is essentially a separate PC. It should not surprise you that two independant PCs have two independant root folders - along with everything else. If you are configuring VirtualBox or the VM recipe then you need to be working on the host PC. If you are configuring an application that is running inside the VM then you need to be working in the VM.

[avatrx]

Thanks. This VM is new to me. Years ago I used a program called partition magic to divide a hard drive into different operating systems, but you had to choose which you wanted when you booted. I'm finding this is basically that type of thing although this allows me to enter a partition (if you will) while running the main software. I'm a little behind the curve. must be my old age.........it is interesting. It will allow me to play with Linux. something I"ve never used before. Someone also said I could run MAC software?

I did clone the VM which I thought was kinda cool I think I allocated too much space in the very beginning so couldn't figure out why it took so long to clone. Once I realized that it clones EVERYTHING - that explained that.

Bear with me. I'll get it. It just seems to take longer than it did when I was younger............. (clue - my very first computer was a TIMEX with a pressure sensitive keyboard about 8" x 5") There was a time when I bought a Commodore 64 and wondered how I would EVER use all the space on a 20mg HD)

[mpack]

Someone also said I could run MAC software?

Not on a Windows host, except by violating copyright, discussion of which the mods around here will take a dim view of...

A virtual PC is still a PC. It can usually run any x86 based operating system that was designed for generic PCs. However, only some of these guest operating systems are supported by guest additions etc. E.g. Win98SE runs, but has no official support.

[avatrx]

Point taken. I wont do that. just checking into the available options using this........ Being in the graphics business for over 30 years and initially everyone being on a MAC and me on a PC - I pretty much stuck with Adobe files which could be saved either way. Adobe and Quark were my 2 go-to's. I don't even know if Quark is available any longer. I still have my Quark4.

-susie

[avatrx]

I cannot get it to recognize the lptmode1 command. I have tried it every way I can think of to no avail. I've probably retyped it 30 times. 'invalid parameter lptmode1'.

I should quit bugging you. it's just frustrating. it just won't take the command. I went so far as to look in device manager to make sure I actually had an LPT1 port. this is how is shows in device manager. ECP printer port (LPT1)
not sure if the ECP designator makes a difference. I don't know much about that.


feel free to give up on me. I am going to find a serial cable and see if I can get that to work since it seems to be an available resource within VM. wheras parallel port is not.

thanks for your help,
-susie

[mpack]

There was a mistake in the new tutorial. It should be "--lptmode1" (i.e. precede the token with two dashes), not "lptmode1". Likewise it should be "--lpt1" in the next command.

However, when reporting problems would you please provide proper diagnostic data. E.g. show the exact sequence of commands you typed, and the exact error message or other result which occurs.

[avatrx]

Thanks. Based on that info I'll try it again. I did order a serial cable in the event it doesn't.
Susie

[mpack]

I should mention that I found the error by testing it, so I've verified that the corrected commands definitely work (i.e. the .vbox file is modified as requested) in the current version of VirtualBox (v4.2.6).

[avatrx]

Ok,

I had changed to LPT2. followed the directions as written. It took the commands, but still won't drive the printer/cutter. It shows it's cutting, but does nothing. I gave it plenty of time to funnel the command thru but no luck.

Looks like I'm going to have to wait for my serial cable and hope that works.

It certainly seems logical that if the software will work when installed on an XP machine (not VM) that it should work on a VM XP machine. I'm really curious now as to whether or not the serial cable will work. Not sure when I'll get that, but I will post back once I try it.

I know the LPT port works. I've been using it with the sign tools software (Corel).

thanks for all of your help.

-susie

[avatrx]

How can I undo the modification? Now it seems that I can't cut anything when NOT using the VM? I would think it should only modify the vm, but since the mod was done thru the host computer, it seems to have affected the way the port works when in HOST.

[mpack]

Configuring the VM can't affect the host at all, except insofar that the port will be in occupied while the VM is running. To disable the port again in the VM config, the user manual suggests the following :-

Code: Select all

VBoxManage modifyvm <vmname> --lpt1 off

[avatrx]

Thanks,

I can try that, but I had to just delete the entire VM. Still could not get the cutter to access the port. I bought a serial cable from a local computer business, tried that - couldn't get that to work either. It's possible that it is the wrong type of serial cable. Sign Tools requires a 232-C cable. They asked me what the intended use was and said this was the correct cable, but I have no way of knowing.

I don't know if there is a way to test a cable to see if there is a connection.

Had the hubby bring home the other computer that I used to use. My plan is to hook that up in the morning. If that doesn't work, then I'll have to farm out the cutting. Not making much on these jobs to start with. By the time I drive 25 miles to the sign guy and pay him - makes it even worse. I'm really beginning to RE-hate computers.

thanks. I will try the suggestion but I'm not hopeful.

-susie

[mpack]

Perhaps you should consider dual boot rather than a VM. It may be less convenient, but who cares if you don't have to do it a lot.

[avatrx]

I think what I need to do is learn linux and install a VM on that. Just junk the WIN7 which I really don't like anyway.

Right now I have customers that I have to get taken care of. I'm hoping that I get can my other computer to work with the cutter. I'd do it now, but it's only 55 degrees in my home work area and I just don't feel like freezing at 4am I've read thru everything I can find on the Sign Tools site and nothing seems to address my problem. I made sure the cutter was set properly and the same as the software even though parallel outputs don't have the same requirements as serial ports.

I have the default port set at LPT1. I don't know if changing that would make a difference. When I finally gave up last night about 10, I had uninstalled the VM, did a disk cleanup and had the computer set to defrag. We'll see if that accomplishes anything.

There is no logical explanation for the software no longer working to drive the cutter using the parallel cable as it did before I started monkeying with it. I attempted a system restore and that didn't help. I couldn't go back far enough. Apparently WIN7 requires a manual restore point if you want to go back further than one day.

I do appreciate your help. I"m really kinda stuck. The hubby just keeps hounding me to get the artwork done but doesn't realize it's just not that simple. He and computers are like oil and water. (I won't pick on him although he does kinda deserve it)

[mpack]

If you insist on doing it in a VM then serial would be much more reliable. Parallel devices other than printers are notoriously finicky. As to the serial cable, if it's a nine pin connector at both ends and each of the correct gender then it's almost certain that the cable is ok. All you need to do is ensure that you use the same data rate and parity settings at both ends, and don't use a rate that's too high, because a VM probably can't do it that fast. I'm thinking around 2400bps.

I can't comment on your speculations that LPT1 vs LPTx might make a difference until you make clear whether you mean in the guest or the host. If it's the guest then it makes absolutely no difference, otherwise I would have discussed that option in my tutorial. On the host you must choose the correct port, there is rarely a selection available.