PCI to DB25 LPT Parallel Port Expansion Card with Low Profile Bracket, PCI Parallel Port Converter Adapter Controller for Desktop PC Printer

After reading the reviews I was expecting to have a challenge installing the drivers on my old XP box that drives my CNC on parallel ports using Mach3. You have a clue in that you have a parallel card and you know the name of the driver chipset but I can see how this would make many people give up. However, I was lucky and was able to get the install to complete after 3 or so tries and 15 minutes of fussing around. The IO address isn't the 'standard' and I had to change the assigned port from LPT3 to LPT2 (this is the second parallel card in the box) and after using the IO address assigned (non standard) in the Mach3 setup, it recognized the card and my DIY MPG pendant worked.I can confirm that this card works as a second parallel port on a XP box running XP SP3. I looked at the name of the driver that got installed (Device Manager) but it's just parport.sys so no help there. You'll just need to launch the installer on the CD and start guessing. Note that (I think) TWO drivers get installed, the parallel driver and a multi-function IO driver. After you install look at Device Manager and make sure you've cleared all the '!' instances.

This card goes in easy, has the slim line and full size plates for different 'tower’ sizes and there is a driver disk.As others have stated, you’ll need to go into your hardware settings and find the IO address. Once you’ve got that added into your #1 port address block, you’re good to go.This card puts out a solid 5v so no issues there. I used a recent .XML file to transfer my settings to the ‘new’ computer I purchased, used a multi meter to test my output signals (that’s how I know it’s definitely 5v) to be sure Mach 3 is talking to the parallel port card correctly. I then took it out to my burn table and plugged it in. It worked straight away, which never happens!!If you’re looking for a parallel port card to use with Mach 3 and your 32bit operating system (I’m using Windows 7 pro), this is it.

Would not install on Windows 10 Professional computer. The inclosed driver cd has multiple folders and no instructions on how to load drivers. I selected windows to search for correct driver and when pointing to the CD that came with this board it looks as if driver loaded and showed up correctly in device manger. When installing the Epson drivers that I do several times a week setting up retail POS systems with this printer it could not find the printer port. After a reboot the port was now missing in device manager. Totally wasted 2 hour service call trip only to find out it did not work.

Their could have been a little more instruction. but I found what I needed on the reviews.

Competitively priced, next day delivery. Restored LPT function.

For running mach3 software with a 32 bit OS here what to do for it to work. Instead of scratching your head for few hours. Go to device manger in the system folder. Under the tab for lpt port right click change the port setting lpt1.Then look under the resource look at the I/O XXXX-XXXX write down the first set of numbers. Then mach ports and pins tap where the port setting are use the first one and put in the number from the I/O in to where it has 0x0378 and apply. Then continue with setup.

Go to the directory WCH351Q and execute CH35XDRV.EXE. Leave the Card type as Auto indentify card and click Install driver button. I hope this helps someone...

***EDITED: After I calmed down. The item description doesn't say linux support, so it's very unfair to give it a bad rating. But if any buyer is hoping it does support linux, be aware it does not***I was hoping this card would work to add a parallel port to a slightly newer PC that I would like to upgrade my linux cnc machine with. I knew I was taking a chance on driver/support.The driver CD contains linux drivers. There are many subfolders to hunt through, but if you look at the PCI card...the main chip says CH351Q. In the folder Driver/WCH/ I see a subfolder for CH35XDRV. Seems promising.In that folder you see DRV_1PA, DRV_1PB, DRV_2S1P..etc.,.... So guessing it's either DRV_1PA or 1PB (seem like they might refer to 1 parallel port)....you keep going down the rabbit hole and eventually get to Driver/WCH/CH35XDRV/DRV_1PA/LINUX/driver.Now I see...source code. OK. I have to build it myself. Fine. There is a Makefile.Problem #1, Makefile only supports up to kernel version 3.x. I hack the Makefile to get it to build for my 4.x kernel. Then there are compile errors because something in the tty mutex mechanism has changed in the later kernels. Any mutex_lock/unlock of termios_mutex needs to be changed to down_write/up_write of termios_rwsem. This works, and the code now builds and make objects. Yeah!Do a make install and modprobe wch to load the driver. After all that...now I have 2 serial ports showing up off the PCI BUS!!!! The card has 2 locations for headers that are probably capable of being serial ports (unpopulated)...but that's not what I bought the stinking thing for!So for all my trouble, I have now 2 serial ports in my PC, which I don't want and can't use.*sigh*. It seems like almost everything is there...if they just had the driver support the parallel port I'd be all set. As it stands...I might as well throw it in the trash.I'll have to try another one from a different vendor and see if I have better luck.