virtualbox.org

Hi everyone !

I'm finally posting here after some unsucceffull tries on configuring my LPT port to use it with VirutalBox.
I explain...

My problem is that I have, at work, an old version of "Mastercam" running on an old PC with WinXP and a lot of files made with this old version. My old PC was changed for a new one running with Win 8.1 (erk !)... To lauch my old program I discovered VirtualBox and that works pretty well but this program is protected by a physical key connect on the parallel port !
My first problem was that there is no parallel port on my new computer... This problem was solved by a PCIe card. I can now plug the key on it, but on VirtualBox the program doesn't detect the key...
I found some tutorials on the forum and try them, but it doesn't work at all... I don't know if I do the right things, that's why I need your help.

Here is a description of my actual configuration :

Host Computer (Win 8.1) :
in the device manager I have "Ports (COM and LPT)" : PCI Express ECP Parallel Port (LPT1)
if I open the panel of this device :
- Parameters : Never use interrupt // Number of port : LPT1
- Ressources : I/O DFF8-DFFF and DFF4-DFF7 // IRQ 0x00000010 (16)
(the IRQ appears if I select "use all interruption..." in the parameters sheet)

Guest (Emulated WinXP) :
in the device manager : Printer (LPT1)
if I open the panel of this device :
- Parameters : ever use (same as Host)
- Ressources : I/O 0378-037F and 0778-077F // IRQ 07

With this I try to configure VirtualBox Like this on the command console :
VBoxManage modifyvm "Name of my VM" --lptmode1 "LPT1:"
VBoxManage modifyvm "Name of my VM" --lpt1 0xDFF8 16
no response...

VBoxManage modifyvm "Name of my VM" --lpt1 0xDFF8 0x00000010
no response...

VBoxManage modifyvm "Name of my VM" --lpt1 0x378 7
the virtual machine crash when I launch the program...

Any idea ?

PS : sorry for my english, I don't know the traduction of certain Windows' terms.

Howto: Enable and Configure Parallel (LPTx) Ports.

Read the part about I/O base addresses. Read the rest of it too.

And be aware that dongles are designed to be fussy about the hardware and timing, so this may still not work.