[Drools]

I posted this in the Mach3 forum but I realize now that this is the correct form. I have a G540 and a G203V, I need an add-in parallel port. I would like to get a dual card if possible, if no has an opinion on the card listed below maybe a link to a known good card would be helpful.

2 Port PCI Parallel Adapter Card - EPP/ECP | StarTech.com Canada

[ger21]

PMDX.COM - Products for CNC and motion control applications

[Drools]

Thanks for the link Gerry, however from the picture I noticed it is a 5VDC card (I can tell from the number of slots) Most newer computers will not accept this type of card as they require a 2 slotted card (3.3VDC and 5VDC)
The computer I have needs a 2 slotted card, startech makes a dual voltage card here.
1 Port PCI Dual Voltage Parallel Adapter Card | StarTech.com Canada

Another question would be, what logic levels do the Gecko products work on. Will they accept a 3.3VDC as a logic level HIGH?

[morestuff]

You are correct that the parallel port card sold by PMDX is a
5 volt PCI bus card. If you have a machine with a 3.3 volt bus,
it will not fit. However, I disagree with your statement that
most modern motherboards require dual slot 3.3 volt PCI
bus cards. Looking just now on NewEgg, I had a hard time
finding any motherboards that require the dual slot PCI
cards. For a while the 3.3 volt dual slot stuff was popular
for servers and high end graphics machines, but they have
actually faded away as time passed.

The newer Geckodrive G201X and G203V drivers will run
from 3.3 volt signals. Some older stand alone Gecko drivers
require stronger signals. The G540 requires that the port
be in EPP mode or otherwise configured to provide higher
drive current on control output signals. It is this latter
requirement that caused PMDX to offer a modified parallel
port card.

Regards,
Steve Stallings
www.PMDX.com

Thanks for the link Gerry, however from the picture I noticed it is a 5VDC card (I can tell from the number of slots) Most newer computers will not accept this type of card as they require a 2 slotted card (3.3VDC and 5VDC)
The computer I have needs a 2 slotted card, startech makes a dual voltage card here.
1 Port PCI Dual Voltage Parallel Adapter Card | StarTech.com Canada

Another question would be, what logic levels do the Gecko products work on. Will they accept a 3.3VDC as a logic level HIGH?

[Drools]

Thanks for the reply Steve. I didn't want have to purchase a new Motherboard for the machine. My assumption was incorrect as you point out. My G50 and G203V was purchased within the last year so I hope the 3.3 volt card will work.
The one computer I have on hand is a Intel SR1450 1U server, with Dual Zeon processors. This and a Rackable 1U server was given to me so I figured why not give them a try. Both machines work with WinXP but only take the 3.3Volt cards. The other machines I have available are based upon Intel motherboards but they are in use by my boys and I would have to build them new ones if I were to steal them away.
I will give the startech card a try, unless there is a different 3.3 volt card known to work with the G203V and G540.

[harryn]

Is there a way to tell a 3 vs 5 volt board ?

The reason I am asking, is that I am thinking of a 2 x 540G using the PMDX.com dual parallel port card setup.

For instance these two boards at newegg - there is nothing in the product description about 3 vs 5 volts.

Newegg.com - BIOSTAR A880G+ AM3 AMD 880G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

Newegg.com - BIOSTAR A880GZ AM3+ AMD 880G HDMI SATA 6Gb/s Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

The second board actually is the updated version with AM3 support.

I am thinking of using it with linuxcnc.

Thanks

Harry

[Drools]

yes a 5volt card has only 1 slot in the gold finger section that fits into the motherboard, while a 3.3/5volt card has 2.
If I'm correct the 2 slots configuration, means it supports 3.3 and 5 volts not that they are 3.3 volts only.

[harryn]

Thanks for the answer, but I am still confused.

Does this mean I can buy most any motherboard, and the PCI card parallel ports will output 5 volt TTL logic ?