Looks like Jr and I have a similar problem. I currently have a Startech PCI parallel card installed in my XP computer. The driver test gives excellent results... However, the charge pump does not work.
THIS IS WHERE I GIVE MY SINCEREST THANKS TO MARRIS AT GECKO!!!
I called tech support at Gecko with several questions and concerns about my G540. Eventually I was treated to an extended conversation with Marris. He broke down all of my questions and answered them in a way that a non-electronics whiz could understand. Marris also gave me an incredible amount of other info that I will definitely be able to use during my install.
In short, this is what I learned...If the parallel port is not set to EPP or ECP, the drive motors will still work, but the other features of the G540 will not work with any consistency. VFD, and outputs 1 and 2 will not be functional, nor will the charge pump. These "extras" of the G540 may work from time to time, but without the extra boost in output that EPP affords to the parallel port the voltage may be too close to the cutoff for active high or low.
Marris also instructed me to wire a 1 amp diode (1N4004) with the cathode side connected to the + DC side of the power supply in parallel to the solenoids I was using to control spindle and coolant for outputs 1 & 2. This was so when the coil deenergizes, you won't blow up the power supply.
I contacted Startech re: setting the PCI parallel port to EPP. They were unable to help and suggested I contact the chipmaker MosChip to see if there was anyway to modify the drivers. So......Anyone know how to switch a MosChip NM9805 to EPP. This is a PCI port and does not show in the Bios. Also no options in device manager to do so. (At least that I could surmise)
Guess my next step is to call MosCip...