Introduction

Most HP all-in-one products connected through a parallel port require that port to be set to Enhanced
Capabilities Port (ECP) mode to work correctly. ECP mode is available on most computers to increase the
speed at which data is transmitted. ECP mode is set in the BIOS of the computer. The BIOS is a set of
computer instructions that are loaded into a memory chip on the computer motherboard. The instructions in the
BIOS coordinate communication between the operating system and the computer hardware. The BIOS is
independent of the Windows version. You can update the BIOS software by downloading newer software from
the manufacturer of the computer or motherboard.

ECP mode is approximately 24 times faster than other parallel port modes and even faster than the standard
USB 1.0/1.1 on most existing computer motherboards.

NOTE: Changing the Windows version will not affect the computer BIOS. In Microsoft® Windows XP and
2000; the parallel port settings must be set in the parallel port properties to establish two-way communication.
See the information below to set the port settings. If you experience problems using ECP mode, or if ECP mode
is not available, use standard bidirectional, EPP, SPP, PS2, or AT compatible mode, depending on the options
available in the BIOS.

Checking for ECP mode

Checking the computer BIOS setting is the only way to verify that the parallel port is set to ECP mode. The
Parallel Port properties can be checked in the Device Manager, but this information is not always correct
(Device Manager is not available in Windows NT 4.0). After the system is set to ECP mode, Windows and the
HP all-in-one product software will use ECP mode automatically. Follow the instructions below to check the
system and set ECP mode:

1.

Open the Device Manager.

Windows 95, 98, and Me

1.

Right-click MyComputer from the Windows desktop, and then click Properties.
2.

Click the Device Manager tab.

Windows 2000 and XP

1.

Right-click MyComputer from the Windows desktop, and click Properties (in Windows XP, click Start
and then click Properties).
2.

Click the Hardware tab.

3.

Click the Device Manager button in the middle of the Hardware tab.
2.

Double-click Ports in the list, and select the reference to LPT1. You may not see “ECP” next to the
reference for LPT1.
3.

Double-click the Parallel Port Entry to open the Parallel Port properties.
4.

Click the Resources tab. If the parallel port is in ECP mode, you will see two I/O ranges listed. See Figure 1.
If there are not two I/O ranges listed, then the parallel port is not in ECP mode.
5.

One input/output range should start at 0378 for LPT1. This is the system address range reserved for LPT1.
If an input/output range is not 0378, you will need to change the setting. Contact the manufacturer of the
computer for instructions.

NOTE: If the parallel port entry is "ECP Printer Port" and has two input output ranges, the mode could
actually be "ECP and EPP." “ECP and EPP” mode might not work correctly. The only way to verify the actual
mode is to check in the computer BIOS.

Figure 1: The ECP parallel port I/O ranges

Viewing and editing the BIOS

The method for entering the BIOS will vary depending on the computer or motherboard manufacturer and
model. Some laptop computers have a configuration utility to make BIOS changes, but normally you enter the
BIOS while the computer is starting up. Restart the computer and watch the screen for the message, “Press
(Key) To Enter Setup." When you see the message, press the key indicated to enter the BIOS. The following
table lists some of the most common methods used to enter the BIOS for various PC manufacturers. If a PC
manufacturer or model is not listed, or you cannot enter or navigate the BIOS, contact the PC manufacturer for
assistance and information on BIOS updates.

PC make or model

Key that you should press to enter the BIOS

Compaq Presario

Press the F10 key when the red Compaq logo is displayed.

Dell Dimension

Press the DELETE key as the system powers up.

Dell OptiPlex

Press the F2 key or Ctrl + Alt + Enter keys during startup.

Dell Latitude (except LM)

Press the FN + F1 keys simultaneously at any time.

Dell Inspiron and Latitude LM

Press the F2 key during startup.

Emachines

Press the Delete key as the system starts up.

Gateway
Press the F1 key as the computer starts.

HP Pavilion (most models)

Press the F1 key as the computer starts at the blue HP screen.

HP Vectra and Kayak

Press the F2 key as the computer starts at the blue HP screen.

IBM ThinkPad

Press the FN + F1 keys simultaneously at any time.

IBM Aptiva

Press the F1 key as the computer starts at the blue IBM screen.

Locating the Parallel Port