#The Dongle lies!
10 messages in this thread
I just got a copy of 3DSR2 on my system at home. I have my HP LaserJet II
connected through the hardware lock on LPT1 (the only parallel port I have)
through a cablw that I made myself some years ago.
When I start 3DS it tells me that the hardware lock has to be attached.
When I turn the printer on and then start 3DS, everything is OK.
Is this normal?
Chris
With certain cpu's it may be necessary to either turn the peripherals on or
detach them from the parallel port before using 3DS and initiating a
hardware lock verification.
– G
Does that mean that the hardware lock gizmo isn't as transparent as it is
supposed to be, or did the designers of the offending CPU boards do
something wrong?
Chris
With certain cpu's it is totally transparent, and with other motherboards
it isn't. There's so much variability in the PC market…
– G
I understand about the variation in systems. I haven't tried my system at
work yet. The Hardware Lock is on LPT2, which is on a cable with a parallel
line amp and a color printer which is shared, so it is always on. I haven't
tried running 3DS2 with the printer attached but turned off.
Chris
I have many softwares which require dongles. With every one of them, if
there is something connected thru the dongle, that device must either be
turned on or disconnected.
Count yourself lucky, My 3D Studio dongle wont let any info pass through
it!! I have had many dongles attached for years with a printer and a
LapLink on a A/B Switch thru the dongles. However the #D Studio dongle
forced me to get another Parallel port because nothing goes through it.
-KT
Interesting you should say that. I have two completely different machines,
both with dongles, and both successfully attached to printers. I can get
3dsR2 to work with or without the printers turned on, and have no problem
with the printers.
– Jack
Keith: Actually, I haven't tried printing to the port on my computer at
work that has the dongle on it. It is a color printer (and a wierd one!) so
if anybody gives me trouble through the dongle this one should.
Chris
Chris, you mentioned that you had a home-made printer cable. Have you tried
borrowing a commercially-made printer cable to see if there might not be
some minor wiring problem the allows your printer to work but causes
problems with the dongle?
– Jack
Jack: No, not yet. I thought of that as soon as I had the problem. I'll
borrow a cable from work and see if it makes any difference. My cable is
probably more complete than most commercial cables, but one line in a place
that the dongle dosen't expect it would be enough. I'll give it a try and
let you know what happens.
Chris