Help! I would be most grateful for any advice with regard to a communications problem that I am experiencing through a Parallel Port PCI card.
Background info:
New PC running Windows 7 Professional on which I would like to use my old HP LaserJet Companion (C3989A) scanner, in particular because of it’s small size/footprint. My thinking is to scan documents within a VMware Player Windows98SE virtual machine using the original scanning software supplied with the scanner and then manage/import the scanned pages from within Windows 7.
(I’ve been using similar process successfully on my old PC for several years but through Win98SE/WinXP dual booting).
Installation and troubleshooting actions undertaken:
StarTech PEX1P PCIe Parallel Card installed.
Windows 7 Professional installed.
VMware Player 3.1.3 build-324285 with VM Windows98SE installed.
HP PaperPort v.B and scanner driver (the original scanning software and driver supplied with the scanner) installed within the Win98SE VM.
Problem: In “Acquiring” the scanner from within the VM scanning program, PaperPort error message “Communication problem” displays. The HP user manual suggests that this could be due to the parallel port not being configured to, or supporting, bi-directional comms, but the PEX1P card is bi-directional.
To ultimately prove functionality of the parallel card, cables, etc., I have installed an old printer (connecting to the PC through the scanner) and printing works fine.
I have also duplicated my Win7 with Win98SE VM build on a Dell PC at work (which has an on-board parallel port) and configured the ports on both PCs identically.
On the Dell, both the scanner and the printer work fine!!
By my reckoning, the above troubleshooting points firmly at the PEX1P Parallel Card or the associated driver. Is it possible that my problem is due to a design limitation on the card and that a similar card from another manufacturer may resolve the issue? If so, any recommendations as to the make and model of new PCI card that I should buy?
Any other advice?
Many thanks, Bob
PS. StarTech has advised that they “do not have support for VMware”.