B&B Electronics Parallel & Serial Port Checker PPC - Manual (Page 3)

2 Documentation Number PPC2095 Manual
B&B Electronics -- PO Box 1040 -- Ottawa, IL 61350
PH (815) 433-5100 -- FAX (815) 433-5105
Note that when you execute the program "PORT_CK.EXE" will
create a file labeled "PORTCK.DAT". The software writes to this
file each time PORT_CK.EXE is executed. The software records
the data from the PORT_CK software. That is, the test that is
performed and the results of that test are added to the file
"PORTCK.DAT" each time a port check is performed. Included in
the file is the date and time that the test was performed.
If you are installing the port checker on the end of a
communication cable instead of directly onto the computer, and the
test fails, you should try installing the port checker directly onto the
computer port to determine if your cable is bad or if your port is bad.
It is important to note that not all ports contain all the standard
handshake lines. If your port is specifically designed to drive some
external device that does not require the handshake lines, that port
may fail the test but still be capable of driving the external device.
The port checker is designed by connecting certain outputs on
the serial and parallel ports back to its inputs. Those outputs are
then toggled high and low and the port checker software verifies that
the inputs are following the output lines. Therefore, it is possible that
an output line could have gone bad, and the port checker indicates
that an output and input line has failed.
RS-232
The port checker can test either DB-9 or DB-25 RS-232 ports. If
you connect the port checker onto a "standard IBM" RS-232 port,
the port checker does a complete check of all communication lines
and handshake lines. Most RS-232 ports contain the handshake
lines and should pass the test.
Parallel
The port checker tests any "standard IBM" parallel port.
However, since many devices that connect to the parallel port (such
as printers, plotters, etc.) do not use all the parallel handshake lines,
cables that are specifically designed for that external device may not
contain all the connections. Therefore, it is important to connect the
port checker directly onto the computer port. If you install the port
checker onto a parallel port or onto the end of the cable driving the
external device and the port checker diagnoses a failure, the line
that caused the failure may not be needed in your application.