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Parallel Power Reader Standard Kit Trouble Shooting |
Software Installation Format CompactFlash/SmartMedia/PC card |
Thanks and congratulations for selecting Parallel Power Reader to be the bridge connecting your Digital Camera, Personal Digital Assistant(PDA), Personal Organizer, Voice Recorder or other mobile electronic products to any computer with printer port. Centon's Parallel Power Readers are using the high-speed parallel port solution for easy and fast data/image transfer to computer. Also they are Mobile, Hot-swapping and User-friendly. To make it perform perfectly, please refer to the following information and the compatibility report for installation. Again, congratulations for using the most direct and efficient device, Parallel Power Reader, to retrieve the valuable images and data saved on your CompactFlash/SmartMedia/PC cards. Enjoy your power tool!
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with limits for a Class B digital device, Pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in residential installations. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy, and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will no occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television equipment reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures.
Only equipment certified to comply with Class B should be attached to this equipment to continuing compliance with FCC emission limit, and must have shielded interface cables. You are cautioned that any change or modifications to the equipment not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void your authority to operate such equipment.
Parallel Power Reader
Optional Accessories
1.Features
2. Applications
3. Hardware Installation
3.1 Connect Parallel Power Reader to Computer.
or....
Note: Some computers may fail to supply sufficient power(through external keyboard port) to operate Parallel Power Reader, some even may have no external keyboard port at all.... To overcome these, you may need an AC/DC +5V adapter or a dry-cell battery pack for the use as an auxiliary power supply.
Since Parallel Power Reader and CompactFlash/SmartMedia/PC Cards require only minimal power which can be supplied by parallel port of computers; therefore, in some cases, no external power would be needed. Just simply plug it into parallel port with no additional power. However, not all parallel ports can supply sufficient power for Parallel Power Reader.
3.2Install CompactFlash/SmartMedia/PC Card into Parallel Power Reader.
Note: Parallel Power Reader are compatible with all CompactFlash Cards with a CF logo. CF logo is the symbol of compliance for all CompactFlash Cards that follow the specifications regulated and certified by CFA, CompactFlash Association (The CF and CFA logos are registered trademarks of the CompactFlash Association).
Parallel Power Reader supports MS-DOS, Windows 3.1, Windows 95/98, and Windows NT. The device drivers for all operating systems are contained in the enclosed CD.
4.1 Install Device Drivers
After completing aforementioned(hardware connection), you are ready to install device drivers.
- Install device drivers to a system hard disk; reboot the system to recognize the Parallel Power Reader as a removable drive.
- Connect Parallel Power Reader to computer, make sure all the cables are well connected.
- Boot up computer to DOS.
- Insert the software driver CD into your CD-ROM drive.
- Type "D:\" under DOS prompt and hit enter (or replace "D:\" with the letter that corresponds to your CD-ROM drive).
- Type "install" under the directory of "\Parallel\DOS" and hit enter to complete the installation.
- "INSTALL" program will optimize the transfer rate automatically and update. C:\CONFIG.SYS with the necessary device drivers.
- Press "EXIT" to end the installation program.
- Reboot the system or issue "load" under "C:\PowerDSK>" (or the assigned directory). The Parallel Power Reader can be recognized as a removable drive by the system thereafter.
- Install device drivers to a bootable floppy diskette, reboot the system with this floppy diskette to recognize Parallel Power Reader.
- Format a bootable floppy diskette in host computer by issuing "FORMAT A:/S" command.
- Copy all files of the device drivers for DOS to this bootable floppy diskette. There is a sample CONFIG.SYS file which is used to recognize Parallel Power Reader while system is booting from floppy drive.
- Reboot system with this bootable floppy diskette. Parallel Power Reader can be recognized by the system now.
- Load device drivers dynamically without installing device drivers to host computer(no reboot necessary).
- Turn on computer after Parallel Power Reader has been connected to parallel port properly
- Insert the software driver CD into your CD-ROM drive.
- Go to the directory of "DOS" in the software driver CD.
- Issue command "load". You shall get a logical drive now if high-level format of CompactFlash/SmartMedia/PC Card has been completed previously.
Note: A help menu with available parameters that can be attached to the device drivers will be displayed on screen by issuing EPATHD/? at DOS prompt. These parameters can also be used on Windows 95/98.
- Connect Parallel Power Reader to computer, make sure all the cables are well connected.
- Boot up computer to Windows 95/98 or Windows NT4.0.
- Insert the software driver CD into your CD-ROM drive .
- Wait for the pop-up menu to come out. If the pop-up menu doesn't come out automatically, please execute the autorun.exe file manually in the software driver CD from "My computer" icon then CD ROM drive icon.
- Select " Install the Software Drivers for Parallel Power Reader " on the pop-up menu.
- Select the language that you wish to install then click on "Next".
- Follow the instructions to complete the Setup program.
Note: If you encounter any difficulties in installing Windows 95/98 device drivers, please refer to Trouble Shooting for Windows 95/98. You might need to resolve some conflicts on port address and IRQ assignments in Windows 95/98, or you might need to add special parameter to the device drivers in order to make successful connection(for example, some IBM Aptiva machines would need the parameter /Di to be added to make successful connections).
- Connect Parallel Power Reader to computer, make sure all the cables are well connected.
- Boot up computer to Windows NT3.51.
- Insert the software driver CD into your CD-ROM drive.
- Click on "File" and then select "Run".
- Find and run the "Setup.exe" under the directory of "\Parallel\WIN" in the software driver CD.
- Select the language that you wish to install then click on "Next".
- Follow the instructions to complete the setup program.
Note: In the case of system crashed during the installation, check if the IRQ number of parallel port has any conflict with that of sound card. If so, please assign different IRQ number for sound card or parallel port to avoid such conflict.
4.2 High-level Format of CompactFlash/SmartMedia/PC Card
CompactFlash/SmartMedia/PC Cards are mostly factory pre-formatted. There is no need to perform this operation, if your CompactFlash/SmartMedia/PC Cards have already been formatted.
Refer to the followings to perform formatting:
- Format by Parallel Power Reader (Issue FORMAT command in DOS)
This is the most preferable method of formatting because it is a standard format operation in DOS. FORMAT command can only be executed after Parallel Power Reader has been connected to computer properly.
- Enable INT 13 commands by adding /B parameter to the device driver EPATHD in DOS
INT13 allows FDISK and FORMAT commands in DOS to be executed on Parallel Power Reader after connecting to computer properly.
The command line in CONFIG.SYS to activate INT 13 for Parallel Power Reader:
DEVICE = EPATHD.SYS /B /FLASH
DEVICE = ASPIHDRM.SYS /S
or
Issue the following dynamic loading command at DOS command prompt
>LOAD
After Parallel Power Reader has been connected to computer, issue "FORMAT X:" at DOS command prompt("X" is the logical drive letter assigned by DOS). Follow the instruction displayed on screen to execute formatting.
- Double click on "My Computer".
- Move cursor to the new drive icon, Parallel Power Reader recognized by Windows 95/98/Windows NT 4.0; then click the right button of your mouse to find a pop-up menu.
- Select "Format", and follow the instruction displayed on screen to format the card .
4.3 Partition CompactFlash/SmartMedia/PC Card
Normally partition has been done by manufacturer; therefore, no action would be taken on this issue by users. However, it can be done by users on Parallel Power Reader through parallel port in DOS. Please see section 4.1 for the procedure and go through the following steps to perform the partition. Note: To do partition, you shall enable INT 13 in DOS first.
Note: The CompactFlash/SmartMedia/PC Card would need to proceed a high-level format after completing the partition.
Special Note: ATAINIT.EXE program from Systemsoft may create an incompatible format for CompactFlash/SmartMedia/PC Cards to be used with Parallel Power Reader. Please do not use ATAINIT in DOS to partition the CompactFlash/SmartMedia/PC Cards from PCMCIA slot directly. Use section 4.2 & 4.3 for the partition or format of the CompactFlash/SmartMedia/PC Cards instead.
Hot Swapping (the capability of removing and inserting different CompactFlash/SmartMedia/PC Cards without turning off host computer) is available in DOS, Windows, Windows 95/98 and Windows NT. The removal and insertion of different CompactFlash/SmartMedia/PC Cards will be detected by computer automatically after device drivers have been installed to the computer. When a new CompactFlash/SmartMedia/PC Card has been inserted into Parallel Power Reader, the LED light will go off and then back on again. This indicates, the CompactFlash/SmartMedia/PC Card is recognized by the host computer.
This user's manual is written to assist users to prepare the product when it is first received and to attach the product to the parallel port of host personal computer. The manufacturer reserves the right to make improvements to the product and to revise the document associated with it at anytime without notice.
1. Trouble Shooting for MS-DOS
Symptom |
Possible Cause |
Suggestion |
| Installed program cannot be completed. | 1. Power to Parallel Power Reader is not installed
properly. 2. Defective devices or cables 3. Incompatible devices or cables |
1. Check all connections. 2. Connect the power to Parallel Power Reader properly. 3. Try to install Parallel Power Reader on other PC to ensure that it functions well. 4. Please only use CompactFlash cards certified by CFA. |
| Device drivers installation is successfully completed, but the device drivers is not executed after immediate reboot. | 1. CONFIG.SYS is not
updated at the end of installation program 2. CONFIG.SYS is updated but the device drivers are put in to the segment which is not executed when it is rebooted. |
1. Re-run
"Install.exe" and make sure CONFIG.SYS is updated correctly 2. Check the contents of CONFIG.SYS and move the device drivers with its parameters to the segment that will be executed when reboot. This is especially important if there are multiple segment setup in CONFIG.SYS. |
| Parallel Power Reader cannot be connected, Physical driver=0; Logical drive =0 | 1. Improper
connection 2. Parallel Power Reader is not powered properly. 3. Conflict with other device's IRQ number(such as sound card). |
1. Check all
connections 2. Check the power to Parallel Power Reader. 3. Assign different IRQ numbers to the device or add parameter to the driver to either disable IRQ or use other IRQ setting. |
| Cannot load device drivers dynamically by issuing both executable device drivers | 1. The host computer
may have a few logical drivers assigned to various devices. This may cause failure for
dynamic loading method 2. LASTDRIVE value in CONFIG.SYS prevents another logical drive assignment. |
1. Try to include
device drivers in CONFIG.SYS before booting up the system or eliminate other device
drivers loading the device drivers. 2. Update LASTDRIVE Value in CONFIG.SYS. Reboot the system and try to load device drivers dynamically again. |
| Cannot find parallel port Parallel Power Reader when connected to LPT1 | 1. LPT1 is assigned for other usage. | 1. Set the jumpers on Multi-I/O card to other LPT number. |
| LED is not lighted. | 1. The power is not
supplied to device. 2. The access LED is not lighted when Parallel Power Reader is accessed. |
1. Check power
connection. 2. The LED may be Bad or the Parallel Power Reader may be not working properly. Replace the CompactFlash/SmartMedia/PC card and try again. |
| When host computer is booted with D or E drive. The system cannot find parallel port Parallel Power Reader. | 1. The parallel port Parallel Power Reader device drivers are copied to C drive at installation. | 1. Change CMOS setting to boot the system from C drive or correct the path of both device drivers in CONFIG.SYS. |
| Key-Pro device does not work with parallel port mobile disk. | 1. Various Key-Pro Implementations do not fully support standard parallel port. | 1. Try to connect parallel port Parallel Power Reader to computer, first, then connect Key-Pro to its printer pass through port. |
| The data transfer speed is not as fast as it should. | 1. The printer port
is not compatible with EPP (Enhanced Parallel Port) or ECP (Enhanced Capability Port). 2. The transfer speed is not optimized properly. 3. The parallel port on host computer may be a less performer when it is built. 4. The performance of parallel port electronics is fading. 5. The transfer speed was set at lower read/write speeds. |
1. If the host is a
desktop computer, try to use the optional EPP multi-I/O card. If the host is a notebook
computer, try to update CMOS to run EPP or ECP mode if it is supported. 2. Try to optimize the speed of data transfer by issuing SHTLMAN.EXE to update CONFIG.SYS with optimal parameter set up. 3. Replace the multi-I/O card with more recent design, or switch to another host computer. 4. Check the performance of such parallel port or switch to another host computer or add a new EPP/ECP multi-I/O card. Available parameter can be found by issuing EPATHD/? or EPATHD/H. 5. Higher speeds can be forced and specified by the parameter. |
| Parallel port Parallel Power Reader cannot be connected. Error message: Physical = 1 Logical = 0, will be displayed on screen |
1. The CompactFlash/SmartMedia/PC card is not properly high level formatted. | 1. Try to issue HDPREP.EXE which will partition and high level format the CompactFlash/SmartMedia/PC Cards directly through parallel port or run DOS Format by Enabling INT13 with /B parameter added. |
| Parallel port Parallel Power Reader is connected with Physical = 1 Logical = 1, display on screen but cannot access the drive. |
1. The LASTDRIVE value is not set correctly to accommodate additional drive letter. | 1. Update LASTDRIVE value in CONFIG.SYS to accommodate more additional logical driver(s). This LASTDRIVE should be located before both device drivers in CONFIG.SYS. |
| Problem with printing jobs under Windows environment when printer is connected to Parallel Power Reader's printer pass-through port. It does not have this problem if the printer is connected to host computer directly. | 1. The fast printing option in Windows printer set up is enabled. | 1. Disable this fast printing option in Windows printer set up. |
| Lost of capacity, lost of cluster or cannot locate files in CompactFlash/SmartMedia/PC Cards. | 1. The CompactFlash/SmartMedia/PC Card may contain an incompatible file format. | 1. Reformat the Cards by the method in section 4.2 & 4.3(ATAINIT from Systemsoft creates partition & format information not compatible with Parallel Power Reader.) Please consult section 4.2 & 4.3 for formatting CompactFlash/SmartMedia/PC Cards. |
2. Trouble Shooting for Windows 95/98
If Parallel Power Reader cannot be installed on Windows 95/98 but it works fine in DOS and Windows 3.1:
Go to "Device Manager" in Windows 95/98 or refer instructions on mainboard, or added-on IO card to change LPT port address to 278 with IRQ 5 or 378 with IRQ 7. if other LPT port exists, use other parallel port.
Go to "Device Manager" in Windows 95/98 or refer instructions on mainboard, or added-on IO card to examine IRQ. If there are IRQ conflicts or no IRQ assigned, then try to change the assignment to IRQ 5 with 378 port address or IRQ 7 with 278 port address. If it still fails to install, try to add one of the following parameters (/de,or /di) to the drivers by: (1)double click on "SCSI Controller" in "Device Manager" (2)double click on the relevant device driver to see the setting (3)go to "Adapter Setting" and add in one of the parameters (4)reboot PC in order to let these parameters to take effect(only one parameter can be accepted at one time).
Note: /de: Disable EPP check.
/di: Disable interrupt and operate in polled mode.
Available parameters can be found by executing EPATHD/? at DOS prompt. This help menu will display the available parameters on screen. These parameters can also be used on Windows 95/98.
FAQs
Q: I install the driver and reboot the system, however, the drive is still not recognized. What should I do ?
A: The following are the procedures to trouble shoot the problems:
Q: I install the Parallel Power Reader, the reader is working fine, but the printer doesn’t work after I connect my printer to the reader itself.
A: Please check the readme.txt file. The file lists all the compatible printers that support our product. Some compatible printers might not be in the list. If your printer name is not listed in the file. Contact your tech support for more assistance.
Q: I install the Parallel Power Reader, the reader is working fine for the first time. However, it doesn’t work after I reboot the system. But if I remove the memory card and stick back into the reader again, the Windows 95 won’t recognize the memory.
A: Make sure the memory card is physical connected correctly. If you still have the problems, try to reboot the system. Check the device manager under the system icon of the control panel. If there is a question mark showing under “Other Device”, you should remove that device and re-install the drivers.
Q: I can’t install the Parallel Power Reader because there is a Key-Pro installed on my parallel port.
A: Some types of Key-Pro are not compatible with our product. Please attach the Parallel Power Reader to your parallel port, then connect your Key-Pro to the printer pass-through connector.
Q: What's different when I set the Printer to SPP or EPP mode?
A: Most of the motherboards support both SPP and EPP mode, the only difference for these two ports is the data transfer speed. When printer using the SPP mode, the data will allow to transfer in one way which is slower than the EPP mode.
Q: I upgrade my Windows 95 to Windows 98, however, the CompactFlash/SmartMedia/PC card can’t not work properly.
A: Make sure your Windows 98 is fully installed, check the device manager to make sure the LPT1 printer port is not conflicted with another device. If you see a question mark on the LPT1 printer port, then you probably have a new device that is using the same IRQ or resource with the LPT1 Printer Port. Click the property to see what’s the device name. Try to change the IRQ setting for the device that is using the same IRQ and resource. If you still have the problem, try to re-install the driver again. Check the device manager under the system icon of the control panel. If there is question mark showing under “Other Device”, you should remove that device and re-install the drivers. Contact your tech support, if the drive is still not working properly after re-installing the drivers.
Q: I upgrade my Windows 95 to Windows 98. However, the CompactFlash/SmartMedia/PC card doesn’t work any more. What should I do?
A:
Q: I install the Parallel Power Reader and attach my old dot matrix printer to the "printer" pass-through connector. However, when I reboot the system, the system won’t start up. What should I do?
A: Some old dot matrix printers probably have the slow data transfer rate. It might not be fully compatible with our Parallel Power Reader. To resolve the problems that cause the system hanging up, try to remove the printer temporarily from the “printer” pass-through connector or use an A-B switch device to solve this problem.
Q: No problems in working when you first install the software but once you try to restart the system you can't.
A: For some PCs, power must be turned on prior to plugging keyboard cable power jack into power socket on the printer pass-through connector. If this is not a power problem, please try to re-install the software.
Q: After software driver was installed on Windows NT 4.0, Parallel Power Reader was not recognized and NT indicated one or more services did not start and Event Viewer was used to see what services.
A: If you have SCSI cards installed in your computer, SCSI cards probably conflict with Parallel Power Reader. Please try to remove SCSI cards physically and restart the computer. Restore SCSI cards after Parallel Power Reader is recognized.
Centon warrants its products to be free from defects in material and workmanship under the following terms:
The warranty will not apply when