[DY123]

All of the computers I have sitting around have no parallel ports.

I guess I always assumed one of them would have one. Must all be newer motherboards where the parallel ports were deleted.

Is there any trick to adding one? I've searched and found lots of pci cards that add a parallel port.

Just checking to see if there is a prefered brand or type.

I'll be using the g540 and mach3

[Mike_Powell]

You might take a closer look at the motherboards in the computers you have. Some motherboards have a header for the parallel port which can be used with an optional header. The header mounts in one of the slots in the case where an add-in card would go. You'd have to find the header and enable the parallel port in the motherboard BIOS.

[DY123]

Thanks for the info.

This is my motherboard. A785G3 :: Motherboard :: BIOSTAR

In the specs where it lists internal I/O it lists "printer header". Would this be what I am looking for?

Thanks

[Mike_Powell]

I'm not certain, but that sounds right. Next step is to dig up the setup manual and see how to use it.


Update:

I downloaded the motherboard manual and the description of the printer header does indeed look like a parallel port, but there's no mention of the connector and cable assembly needed to use the header. I then Googled "parallel port printer cable header" and found many suppliers. For example: http://www.cablestogo.com/product.as...10338p-_-10338 There are probably cheaper ones, but this illustrates what's needed.

[vtxstar]

You are correct. I did the same download and agree that you have identified the correct port (between J_COM1 and FDDI).

Somewhere around here I have pounds of those IDC to DB25 cables...

-=Doug