B&B Electronics PPC manual RS-232, Parallel

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.

2Documentation Number PPC2095 Manual

B&B Electronics -- PO Box 1040 -- Ottawa, IL 61350

PH (815) 433-5100 -- FAX (815) 433-5105