Re: Parallel Port Debugging: in the name of CNCkind

Paul,
I have a small utility that you may be able to use.
It is a TSR program, something I've had since the mid 90's ( if I remember correctly )

Here's how it works.
IoSpy intercepts a port and display the data but still passes it on to the port.

Before running CNCPro.exe run IoSpy.com with the following command line switches

isospy 378 379 37A -a
These are the thre registers (ports) for the LPT1
You will now see a small window at the Top Right of the screen. with the following text

port 378h=00h Printer
port 379h=00h Printer
port 37Ah=00h Printer

the value 00h is a hex of what going out on 378 etc.
378h is have base address for LPT1.
379h is for reporting the printer status and will reflect certain Input pin values.
37Ah is for I/O control of bi-directional ports and bit 0 is the "send byte" strobe monitor.

For LPT1 in a system using a text only video LPT1 is seen at address 3BC 3BD 3BE

I just tried it with CNCPro and it works fine. you can use the a Calculator to convert the Hex value to BIN and reflect the
ports I/O status that way.

It's updates at 18 times a second, to be able to really "see" what's going out you will need to single step your CNC program or
run it at a VERY slow feed rate.


Notice !
I just searched the file and all it's menu's looking to the author and copyrights. The menu's displayed NOTHING, however in the
file I found
(C)Copyright 1994 Frank van Gilluwe
The copyright does not display on screen and can only be seen by using a hex editor and "looking" at the exe itself.

I remember it as shareware, and as there is no contact information, I'm happy to send it to you, but will put you on record as
having received a copy.
As a programmer myself, I think Frank van Gilluwe should have put his address in the file if he wanted some compensation or
recognition for his work.
Anyway I feel sure it is a shareware program, so Frank van Gilluwe should be happy I'm distributing work for free....

I will send it to anyone that wants a copy, note! you will go on record as having received it from me... Isn't this a wonderful
"cover your ass because some hungry lawyer may jump all over it" country ! arrrgh!

Paul, let me know if you want this. It will do everything a logic probe will do and then some...

regards
Hans Wedemeyer



Paul Devey wrote:

> From: Paul Devey <Paul_Devey@...>
>
> Ok smart guys,
>
> I have a PC based CNC controllers from Backtracks. Unfortunately they no
> longer support this model, the CNC SW (DOS based) for it leaves much to be
> desired.
>
> So, I am in the process of figuring out how to make these controllers work
> with Doug Yeagers CNCPRo software. This means I need to reverse engineer
> how my PCs LPT port is communicating with the controller (driver box). It
> can drive 4 stepper motors.
>
> My plan is to decode what the existing CNC SW is sending the LPT. When I
> have captures the protocol coming from the SW, I should be able to
> configure CNCPro to duplicate this protocol.
>
> One method of accomplishing the above would be to breakout the signals and
> drive some leds for data, status register and the control register. This is
> too much like work. Another would be to use a PC-to-PC Parallel-to-Parallel
> port cable and have the second PC log the first PCs LPT activities.
>
> Finally to my question, does anyone have any software that would allow me
> to connect two PCs by a parallel port data transfer cable and monitor the
> activities of the first?
>
> Assistance is greatly appreciated.
>
> Paul Devey
>
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