Using Direct Connection

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I have two computers both with Win2K that I want to establish a direct connection via LPT1. I purchased a faster parallel cable, IEEE1284 but still can’t get it to work. I’ve read the threads I could find in the Lounge for direct connect but they didn’t help. Maybe my set up is wrong. Here’s what I have (from the step by step connection wizard dialog).

1. Go to Settings/Network and DialUp Connections/Make New Connection and select ‘Connect Directly to Another Computer’ and select Guest for computer #1 (the one I’m connecting FROM). I do the same for computer #2 but select Host.
2. I choose LPT1 from the list box of connection choices.
3. I then select ‘for all users’ for the option “Create connection For”
4. On Finish, it prompts me for a password. What do I enter? I did this but still couldn’t get the connection to work. It comes up with dialog “Verifying username and password” and then times out.

One confusing thing in the Connection Wizard is the last two choices — “Accept Incoming Connections” and “Connect Directly to Another Computer” which do I use? I’ve tried both. Do I use the same for both computers? I think I’ve tried all four permutations just in case.

I have pcAnywhere 9.2 but can’t get a direct connect to work with either (although DSL and modem connection to a remote computer work fine). Symantec says they don’t support 9.2 although I just bought it a week ago so I can’t call them for help (LPT doesn’t show as an option for a connection when I use pcAnywhere).

Ideas anyone?
Deb

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Hi there,
I’m not sure wrt Win2k but when I used this procedure with 9x it required a specially wired cable (ie specifically for direct cable connection) as opposed to a ‘ faster parallel cable ‘. A Belkin type F3D508u10 or later version should do the trick. Also file sharing had to be enabled on both PCs.
Sounds like the concept is still just as user-unfriendly as I remember it! I suggest that USB-USB is the way to go. Here in the UK, ~

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Yes, I have the fast parallel cable, that’s what the IEEE 1284 cable is that I mentioned. It still doesn’t work though. I do have USB on both computers so I might try that. This is suppose to be a simple tasks but NNNNOOOOO that can’t be

I do have file sharing enabled on both computers so there’s something else that’s wrong. Oh well, I guess I’ll just do what I was going to do originally and drop the other computer’s hard drive into my main computer so I can use it as backup.

Thnx, Deb

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There is a known bug with somne of the different direct cables and the new drivers for them not working with Windows XP. I do not have any references but they have been discussed several times at our Computer Club SIGs.

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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Interesting… what do you mean by ‘drivers’, I just have a fast parallel cable, no software required – or so I thought. It’s IEEE 1284 compatible. I think I’ll look up IEEE 1284 on line and see what I can get (as well as MSDN site).

Thnx for the info.
Deb

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My copy of PCAnywhere shipped with a cable to be used for Parallel to Parallel connections, but it is not a standard parallel cable, nor a fast parallel cable.

You’ll want to ensure you have a cable specifically designed for parallel to parallel communications.

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Really??? There was no cable in my box of pcAnywhere 9.2 that I purchased two weeks ago (and the box was sealed so no thiefs got to it). In the reading I did they say to use a fast parallel cable which I thought was just like a LapLink cable or the one I have for my parallel zip drive. I tried both to no avail and then bought an IEEE1294 fast parallel cable. This is mentioned in the MS help as well as web sites that talk about direct connect and IEEE 1294 in general.

But even if i had the right cable, when I use pcAnywhere, it does not even list LPT as an option in the list of connections when you go thru the wizard so I’m still dead. What really gets me is that Symantec doesn’t support 9.2 anymore but they still sell it. AARRRGG!!!! At least it works fine when I connect via DSL and modem to a remote computer (which is why I bought it in the first place).

Thnx, Deb

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Is the LPT port enabled within Windows? Can you see it in your list of hardware devices? You can purchase special parallel cables that are cross wired like the one Chris mentioned at most computer stores. If you use a standard parallel cable the wiring is not correct and there will be no communication.

I too think USB might be a better option, but I don’t know that pcAnywhere will support USB connections.

You can still find online support but phone and email support are no longer options for versions 9.x and prior. A real shame, too, because my experience with 10 has been less than rosy. So poor, in fact, that I removed it from my desktop at the office and reinstated 9.21.

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Yes the LPT port is enabled and functional as I have a printer and my zip drive attached to it. It does show in the list of ports via Windows but it does not show up as an option in pcAnywhere.

I’m glad I didn’t buy version 10 (for $100 more) now that you said it didn’t work for you. The online support for 9.2 is worthless as it also says that it doesn’t work with Win2k which so far I haven’t had any problems (via DSL or modem connections).

As I mentioned several times, I already purchased that cable, the IEEE1294 fast parallel and it is cross-wired (I checked with ohm meter) and I looked up the pin-out on line to verify it.

But the other thing is that I can’t even use direct connect with Windows let alone with pcAnywhere so both solutions are not workable for me for some unknown reason. When I have time I’ll just take that hard drive out of the 2nd PC and put it in my primary as I just wanted it for backup (then I’ll do disk mirroring w/some other software).

Thnx anyway, Deb

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