How to Disable a Printer's Bi-directional Support - Search Again

 

SUMMARY

LapLink is able to establish a connection between computers using the yellow parallel cable, but after 1 or 2 minutes, the connection drops without any warning.

 

CAUSE

This is caused by an installed printer’s bi-directional support polling the parallel port to monitor the printer’s status. This polling request disrupts LapLink’s communication, causing any current connections to drop.

 

SOLUTION

For computers running Windows 95, 98/SE or Windows Millennium

Note: This procedure will disable bi-directional support for normal print jobs, and may cause your documents to print slower. You can re-enable bi-directional support for the printer after you've finished using LapLink.

  1. From the Windows Start menu, point to Settings and click Printers.

  2. Right-click the printer's icon, and click Properties.

  3. Click the Details tab.

  4. Click Spool Settings.

  5. Click Disable bi-directional support for this printer.

  6. Click OK.

  7. Click Apply, and then OK.

For computers running Windows 3.x

  1. Open the Main program group.

  2. Double-click Control Panel.

  3. Double-click Printers.

  4. Click the printer's driver, and click Connect.

  5. Under Local Port, click File.

  6. Click Close, and OK.

If you are still having problems establishing a parallel connection, see Technical Document 123, Troubleshooting a Parallel Cable Connection in LapLink Applications for more information.

 

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Last updated: Tuesday, August 14, 2001

Article #108

Legacy Article #5718