Belkin F1U109 User Manual

Title: F1U109 Reversible AutoSwitch

User's Manual

I. Introduction

Thank you for purchasing Belkin Components' Reversible AutoSwitch! With the Reversible AutoSwitch, sharing one printer between two PCs, or having one PC select from two printe rs is easier than ever - no more swapping cables, turning knobs, or pushing buttons.

In forward mode, the AutoSwitch allows sharing of one printer among two computers. The AutoSwitch polls each port constantly, wai ting for a computer to request access to the printer. Once the AutoSwitch detects a computer wanting to print, it will automatically lock onto that PC's port, and provide communication to the printer. When no more data is being transferred after the TIME_OUT period, the switch will return to scanning both ports.

The AutoSwitch can also be “reversed”, allowing one computer to select between two printers. For instance, you can easily switch between a laser and ink jet printer from any application. The included software creates special “virtual ports” which give you printer selection capability from any Windows® 95 or 98 application.

The Reversible AutoSwitch will open a world of printing possibilities, unparalleled by any device on the market today in price and performance.

II. Package Contents

• Reversible AutoSwitch F1U109 (2-Port)

• 3.5", 1.4MB software utilities diskette

• Belkin Components Peripheral Sharing registration card

• This manual

Now, decide how you are going to use the

Belkin Components® Reversible AutoSwitch!

Two Computers Sharing One Printer One Computer Using Two Pr inters

Go to Page 2--Go directly to Page 3

DO NOT go to page 2 -

F1U109

Two Computers Sharing One Printer

Set the Switches on the AutoSwitch, and connect the PCs, and the printer to the AutoSwitch as follows:

F1U109

UTO

142

Set this switch to the AUTO (middle) position.

Setting to “A” or “B” is a manual override, and locks the AutoSwitch to that port.

FD FE

Set this switch to the FD (right) position.

Setting to “FE” is only used if you are in DOS, and your printer does not eject paper after printing.

(SPARE) DC 3.6-9V

F3D111-XX F3D111-XX

F2A032-XX

Important Notes:

• It does not matter if a PC connects to Port A or Port B.

• The software is not necessary, and must NOT be installed. Doing so may cause your printer to print garbage.

• Make sure the cables you are using are not file-transfer cables, otherwise the setup will not work.

• For best results, we recommend Belkin Components® cables:

! F3D111-XX Belkin Pro Series D B25 M/M, straight through ! F2A032-XX Belkin Pro Series DB25

M/Centronics 36 M parallel printer cab le

“XX” is the length of the cable in feet

• Avoid using any status monitoring software, status toolbox, or bi-directional printer drivers. As much as possible, please use “output-only” or “Raster” drivers. This is so that it will not lock up the AutoSwitch.

• Turn off bi-directional communication on your prin ter driver. To do this, click on START, SETTINGS, PRINTERS, right-click on your printer, choose Properties. Click on the DETAILS tab, then on the SPOOL SETTINGS button. The following window will pop up:

A B C

Make sure “Disable bi-directional support for this printer” is selected. Ignore if grayed out.

• Check the end of this manual for information on disabling bi-directional communication on your specific printer.

Using the AutoSwitch

The AutoSwitch automatically connects a computer to the printer when a computer is ready to print. This is done on a first-come first-served basis. Just set the selector switch to the middle “AUTO” position, and both LEDs should be lit up. Now it is set for automatic sharing mode.

YOU’RE DONE!

(Do not continue to the next page)

You DO NOT have to install the software, or do anything anymore. Just print like you normally do on any computer, and the AutoSwitch will direct the print job automatically.

One Computer Using Two Pri nt ers

Set the Switches on the AutoSwitch, and connect the PC, and the printers to the AutoSwitch as follows:

UTO

Set this switch to the AUTO (middle) position.

Setting to “A” or “B” is a manual override, and locks the AutoSwitch to that port.

142

Set this switch to the 1

2 (left) position.

4444

The “FD” and “FE” positions will not work for your configuration.

(SPARE) DC 3.6-9V

F3D111-XX

Printer A Printer B

A B

F1U109

F2A032-XX

Important Notes:

• Take note which printer is connected to which port on the AutoSwitch.

• Make sure the cables you are using are not file-transfer cables, otherwise the setup will not work.

• We recommend Belkin Components® cables for best results:

! F3D111-XX Belkin Pro Series D B25 M/M, straight through ! F2A032-XX Belkin Pro Series DB25 M/Centronics 36 M parallel printer cable

“XX” is the length of the cable in feet

• Check the end of this manual for information on disabling bi-directional communication on your specific printer.

Software Installation – Windows® 95 and 98 only.

The software will not work in Windows® 3.1 or NT.

1. Insert the software disk into your floppy drive.

2. Click START, RUN.

3. Enter “a:\setup.exe”, and click OK.

4. The program will begin installing at this point. The first screen you will see is the following:

• Select “F1U109” because that is the

autoswitch that you have.

• Select which LPT port you installing the

AutoSwitch on. Normally, it is always LPT1.

• Click continue w hen done.

5. The install program will then ask you for the location of the install files. Because your floppy drive is “A:”, just click OK.

6. When done, the program will display the following message:

Click OK, and installation is complete!

7. Next, you will see a box with the following instructions. Click OK.

8. Reboot your computer. THIS IS A VE RY IMPORTANT STEP!!! YOU MUST REBOOT , OTHERWISE, THE SOFTWARE WILL NOT INITIALIZE, AND YOU CANNOT CONTINUE PROPERLY. Do this by clicking on START, SHUT DOWN, and RESTART.

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