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What is the best mode to have your parallel port on?

ECP, Bidirectional, EPP ??

and whats the diff??

Thanks.

ECP is the latest mode ( so i think you should use it unless you have a very old printer ) . I don't know well the differences .

Perhaps you ll find some explanations there :

http://www.beyondlogic.org/

I have my desktops on SPP (their default). The desktops are 1.5 and 3.5 years old. My printers are 8-10 years old (they still work!). Would it help them to use a better mode? Would it hurt to use a better mode? My laptop is on ECP (I think) but I have never used a parallel printer on it - only USB or networked printers.

SPP is the oldest mode and it is the more compatible mode . Perhaps your printer would be able to use EPP mode ( i don't know well printers ) . I don't know if you could have a benefit and which benefit it could be . I don't think you could hurt your hardware ( i think in the worse case it could not work ) .

If you have still your manual you can check which is the mode recommanded for your printer . Else you can try to check it on manufacturer website .

Thanks vbl117! I'll give it a try!

EPP (Enhanced Parallel Port) and ECP (Extended Capabilities Port) both have bidirectional capability which is only useful if your printer or other device supports it.

ECP also uses a DMA channel, which may be a disadvantage if free DMA channels are needed for ATAPI devices like burners and DVD-ROM's. The advantage of a DMA channel for a parallel port is marginal at best, so generally it is a safe bet to use EPP if bidirectional capability is required.

DMA channels have a major impact on the performance of ATAPI devices, so it is best to reserve DMA channels for use where performance is significantly improved.

I beleive ECP is supposed to be better for things like zip drives and EPP is suppsoed to be better for printing... this is just what I've heard.