To troubleshoot parallel port issues, follow these steps and test your parallel port after performing each one:

Note: Some of these steps may not apply to your system.

1. Use one of the following two methods to check if your parallel port is enabled and properly configured in the BIOS. The method used will depend on the BIOS that is installed in the system:
   • Method #1
     
     1. Power-on the system
     2. Press F1 when the Setup Utility program appears
     3. Using the right arrow key (>), select Devices
     4. Using the down arrow key, select Parallel Port Setup, then press Enter.
     5. Ensure that Parallel port mode is at the proper setting for the device connected; ie, Bi-Directional, EPP, ECP or EPP & ECP
   • Method #2
     
     1. Power on the system
     2. Press F1 to enter the Configuration/Setup Utility.
     3. Using the down arrow key, highlight Devices and I/O ports, then press Enter.
     4. Using the down arrow keys, highlight Parallel Port Setup, and press Enter.
     5. Ensure that Parallel port mode is at the proper setting for the device connected; ie, Bi-Directional, EPP, ECP or EPP & ECP
     6. Press ESC until you get to the Exit Setup window, then highlight Yes, Save and Exit the Setup Utility.
2. Remove any Keyboard, Video, Mouse(KVM) switch box between the system and parallel device.
3. Verify that the cable being used meets the specification for the device connected ( ie IEEE-1284).
4. Verify that the parallel port has no conflicts (yellow exclamation mark "!") in the Device Manager.
   
   To open Device Manager:
   
   
   1. Right-click on My Computer.
   2. Click Properties.

5. Verify that the port is operational after booting to a DOS operating system.
   1. Power on the system with a dos boot disk or windows startup disk
   2. From the DOS prompt, type A:\print autoexec.bat

If these steps have not solved the problem:

Or refer to "Need more help?"

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