Parrallel ports, can you use a Y connector?

[WisiWiz]

One thing you could do is get a A-B switch box and some cables. There are automatic switch boxes but I am not sure if that would work for you.

[Roy]

Another way to go when you need more than one parallel port is to install an adaptor card. There are PCI cards that offer two parallel ports, two extra USB ports, and so on.

[Ed_S]

Some printers and other devices have a "pass-through" port which allows you to chain devices. Other printers will NOT work this way, even if cabled as 2nd device.

I've got a secondary parallel card as Roy mentioned, running a scanner, zip drive, and laser printer. Did have another printer also, but it got in the way too much. Worked though, with two items per port.

Don't know if that type of thing would work for you. It depends upon the device, and I've no clue what a "console controler adapter" even IS!

[Bovon]

Somebody might have some success with a Y adapter, but I didn't. Seems as if one device see's the other. Loads the line down?...donno. I finally bought a 4-way switch, and simply switch in which ever device I need at the time. This has worked flawlessly for me..

[Spanky]

Ok I'll check out the switches, sounds better then installing another card to me, unless those cards are really cheap and don't take up to much resources.

The console adapter is just a parrallel port connector wired up to a Playstation port with a couple diodes. It lets you plug in your Playstation controlers and use them on your computer just like any other Direct x joystick or pad, It rocks.

If you have the ports you can also wire up almost any other console controler you want for playing windows games or emulators.

[Richard_Cranium72]

Cards ARE really cheap, like $15.00

A switch can cause problems, big time and they are NOT cheap..

My Kouwell 401 card took NO IRQ even though I freed up IRQ 5 for it and set it's jumper on the board.

It's worked perfectly for almost 4 years.

[bdunn]

Those switches while cheap can cause expensive problems. They seem to build up static over time and have blown out ports on motherboards and also taken a few boards completely. I always recommend the card to customers unless they are buying a new printer then i suggest going usb.

[NDC]

I've used parallel port switch boxes and never had single problem with them... I used to hook up my scanner and Zip drive. Parallel port Zip drive wasn't compatible when using the thru-port on the scanner...

[Spanky]

Hi guys, easy one I'm sure.

K theres all kinds of parrallel port devices can you hook up more then one to your port?

The reason I ask is cause I have a console controler adapter I made from some plans off the net and it hooks up through the parrallel port.

Later on I want to get a printer, can I use a Y connector of somesort so I can leave both always connected? I won't be using them at the same time but its still a hassle to change them over. Plus my buddies sister would flip if she actually had to do that (he uses his sisters machine)

Also I was thinking hooking up the console adapter internaly putting the port in an empty drive bezel. Is there an adapter that can split it internaly and I'll just leave one inside the case and the other where it is on the ouside?

Thanks for any help.

[Roy]

Spanky ~ Here (http://www.sysopt.com/forum/Forum17/HTML/002019.html) is something to consider. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[mds]

I use a USB printer and use my parallel for my page scanner and it works fine. I could not use my printer and scanner on the same parallel becouse I have compaq's bi-directional printer.