Belkin F1U128-1 User Manual

Bitronics DualBus Switch Kit

User Manual

Kit du commutateur Bitronics DualBus

Guide de l’utilisateur

Bitronics DualBus Switch Set

Benutzerhandbuch

Bitronics DualBus Switch Kit

Handleiding

P73046 F1U128-KIT

Table of Contents

English . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Français . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Deutsche . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Nederlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Italiano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the Belkin Components Bitronics DualBus Switch Kit! Now, you and your colleagues can share and select between two different parallel devices from your desktop. And, if you are using Windows

95, 98 or NT®, you will be able to take advantage of Bitronics Software, which allows you to print automatically even if you have more than one printer!

Features

• Allows four computers to access any two parallel devices simultaneously

and independently

• Virtual Port printer driver software allows fully automatic printer selection

through Windows

• File-transfer feature between two PCs compatible with Windows®Direct

Cable Connection, LapLink

• Includes two 6 ft. (1.8m) IEEE 1284-compliant cables to connect the computers

• Includes power adapter

• Adjustable timeout

Package Contents:

Bitronics DualBus Switch, 4-2 F1U128 Power Adapter, 9VDC, 600mA F1D065-PWR-UK 2 x IEEE 1284-compliant cables F2A047-06 User manual P73406 Registration card P72009

95/98 and NT

and DOS Interlink

™

Other Parts Needed (if necessary)

• IEEE 1284 printer cable, Belkin Part# F2A046-XX. You will need this

cable to connect a printer to the autoswitch. Your current printer cables may work, but IEEE-compliant cables are recommended.

• IEEE 1284 device cable, Belkin Part# F2A047-XX. You will need this

cable to connect a computer to the autoswitch.

NOTE:

"XX" is the length in feet.

Technical Specifications

Compatible Standards:

IEEE 1284-1994 Parallel Port Communication Standard

Electrical:

Input Voltage 9VDC Max Input Current 600mA Max Power Consumption 5.4W Max Heat Dissipation 0.31 BTU/min

Dimensions:

Width: 7.0” (17.8cm) Height: 3.75” (9.5cm) Depth: 1.25” (3.2cm)

Weight: 7.1 oz. (202 g) Storage Temperature: -10ºC to 50ºC

(14ºF to 122ºF)

Operating Temperature: 0ºC to 40ºC

(32ºF to 104ºF)

Humidity: 0 to 95%

Non-condensing

Device activity LEDs

Product Detail

Connector to Device A

Connector to Device B

Connector

to PC1

Connector to PC2

PC activity LEDs

Connector to PC3

DIP switch settings (located underneath switch):

Printer button

Connector

to PC4

DC power jack

(side)

Computer button

ON DIP

SW1: Reset Switch

To reset, OFF→ON→OFF

ON is UP. SW4 is not used.

1234

SW2 and SW3: TimeOut Setting

TimeOut is the amount of time the switch remains locked on a PC port after data transfer. Use a longer TimeOut when connecting to scanners, mass storage devices and for large print jobs.

SW2

SW3 TimeOut

ON ON 5 seconds

ON OFF 10 seconds

OFF ON 20 seconds

OFF OFF 40 seconds

Recommended

Manual Mode and Port Monitoring

In manual mode, you can select a port manually through the buttons on the Bitronics switch. You can also use this mode in conjunction with software to see your switch in action!

• Press COMPUTER to select which computer port you wish to configure or monitor. For the computer connected to Port 1, press the COMPUTER button until the LED on Port 1 is lit up either in red or green.

• Press the PRINTER button until the LED of the appropriate device port you wish to use is lit up.

For example, if you want computer 2 to use the device on port B, press the COMPUTER button until the LED on "2" is lit up. Then, press the PRINTER button until LED "B" is lit up.

Printer button

To use File Transfer mode, press the PRINTER button until the LED on the computer port turns green. When the LED turns green, the port is ready for file transfer mode. For file transfer mode to be successful for both PCs, both computer ports must be set to file transfer mode – which is evident when the LEDs next to 1 and 2 are green. For more information on File Transfer, please see page 25.

Note: Computer 1 can only file transfer to computer 2, and computer

3 can file transfer to computer 4. If you change the ports manually using the buttons, the changes made will not be reflected in the software.

Computer button

Choose your operating system

Windows®3.x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6

MS-DOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 7

Windows

95/98 and NT®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8

NOTE: When installing software on any operating system, the

software must be installed on all the computers connected to the Bitronics switch so that each machine can control the switch properly.

Software installation: Windows®3.x

Insert the diskette labeled P27236 in your floppy drive. In the Program Manager, click on FILE then click RUN. In the space, type in "a:\setup.exe".

Follow the installation instruction prompts. After the setup program is done, simply double-click on the correct icon to run the port selection program.

Software installation: MS-DOS

To switch port, simply click on the port letter of your choice, and your computer will be connected to the device on the port chosen.

Software-Installation: MS-DOS

Enter the following at the DOS prompt and press ENTER:

Copy a:\dos\swport.com c:\SWPORT.com

SWPORT.com is a command-line executable. Please follow the syntax for proper operation:

File Transfer in DOS and WINDOWS®3.x:

The file transfer feature of the Bitronics switch allows both computers to connect a if there was a file transfer cable connected between them.

The LED of the corresponding computer port on the Bitronics switch will turn green. This LED represents the computer you are on now, and is set for file transfer mode.

The LED of the corresponding computer port on the Bitronics switch will turn green. This LED represents the computer you are on now is set for file transfer mode. Note that PC1 can only file transfer to PC2, and PC3 can only file transfer to PC4. When both sets of PC LEDs on the Bitronics switch are green, then the computers are ready for file transfer. At this point, the cables and the Bitronics switch act as if it was a file transfer cable. You can now run programs such as Windows‚ Direct Cable Connection, or LapLink Please refer to their user manuals or websites for information on how to configure their software. Just remember that your Bitronics switch setup mimics the file transfer cable requirement.

Windows®95 / 98 and NT

BEFORE YOU INSTALL THE BELKIN BITRONICS SOFTWARE, YOU MUST

FIRST MAKE SURE THAT EACH DEVICE WORKS PROPERLY ON ITS OWN

WITH EACH COMPUTER. DO NOT CONNECT THE BITRONICS SWITCH TO

THE COMPUTERS OR INSTALL THE SOFTWARE UNTIL INSTRUCTED BY

THIS PROCEDURE!

1. Make sure that the printer port on your computer is set to ECP mode. To do this, you must go into your computer’s BIOS or CMOS setup. Instructions on how to do this differs from one computer to the next. Please consult your computer manufacturer’s manual, tech support, or website for information on how to do this. Please do not call Belkin Tech Support regarding this because each computer’s BIOS setup routine is different. Refer to the Appendices at the end of this manual for information on several models of computers.

The BIOS setup routine prompt is displayed a few seconds after you turn on your computer and hear its first beeps. Again, this varies from PC to PC. Please consult the Appendices and/or your computer manufacturer’s manual or their tech support for information on how to do this properly. Usually you will see a message that reads PRESS DEL TO ENTER SETUP or PRESS F2 TO ENTER SETUP. When in the setup program, there may be a selection for "Integrated Peripherals", or "Peripheral Setup". Then, look for "Parallel Port Type" or "LPT port type". Change that setting to say "ECP" or "ECP/EPP". Save your settings then exit. When Windows restarts, it may find new hardware, and it may ask you for the Windows

CD. Be prepared to insert the CD into the computer.

2. Make sure that the software and drivers for the devices to be shared are properly installed on all computers.

For instance, if you are sharing a Zip computers, you will need to first connect and install the Zip on the first PC. Make sure that the Zip

Drive and a printer between 2

Drive works perfectly on it, then

Drive drivers

repeat the same installation process for the second PC. Then, you will need to do the same installing the printer’s driver on both PCs as well. This way, all the PCs have the drivers properly loaded so each one can access either device without any problems, as if they were connected to the computer individually.

Windows®95 / 98 and NT

(continued)

3. Connect four computers and the devices to be shared to the Bitronics Switch as shown below. Two cables that connect computers to the Bitronics switch are included. Take note of which port each device is connected to:

Device A

connected to Port A

These two cables

are included

Connect the power adapter to the power jack on the side of the switch, and plug it into an outlet. The example shown has a Zip

Device B

connected to Port B

Drive connected

to Port A and an InkJet printer on Port B of the switch.

Windows®95 / 98 and NT

4. In order for all computers to properly share the devices, the software must be installed on all four computers.

4.1. Insert the disk into your floppy drive. Click on Start, then click Run.

Enter a:\BITRONIX.exe, then click OK.

4.2. You will see the following window. Click Setup.

4.3. Close all other running applications so that the software installation

can proceed quickly and smoothly. Click Next.

(continued)

Windows®95 / 98 and NT

4.4. Select the model of the Bitronics Switch you have, which is the F1U127 / F1U128. Click Next.

4.5. Select Destination Folder. The default folder is recommended. Click Next.

(continued)

Windows®95 / 98 and NT

4.6. Select Program Folder. The default, Belkin Bitronics Switch, is the recommended. Click Next.

4.7. When done installing, the program will ask you to restart your computer. You must restart in order to activate the software properly. Click Finish.

(continued)

Don’t forget to remove the disk from your floppy drive before restarting your computer!

Windows®95 / 98 and NT

5. Once your computer has rebooted, the Bitronics icon will appear in your system tray. This is how you can easily control and configure the Bitronics Switch.

6. Double-click on the icon to open up the setup program:

(continued)

Select the correct LPT port the Bitronics switch is connected to. If you only have ONE parallel port (usually that is the case), leave this in LPT1.

Windows®95 / 98 and NT

7. Click on Settings. This is where you tell the software what devices are connected to each port:

Device Type gives you a pull-down menu showing the types of printers installed on your computer and other possible parallel device types as well.

Here, you must select the correct type for the device connected to that port.

• If you are using a device which adds a drive letter to your system (like a

• If you are using a printer, use the printer driver used for that particular

• For any other parallel device, just use Scanner, and change the Display

Zip

Drive, CD-ROM, LS-120, etc...), use the Mass Storage

Device setting.

printer on that port of the Bitronics switch. If it does not show up in this menu, that means the printer drivers have not been installed. (In that case, reinstall the printer drivers and repeat this step after rebooting your computer.) If you have more than one printer installed, make sure that the correct driver is used for the printer connected to that port on the Bitronics switch.

Name accordingly. For example, if you have a parallel tape drive, use Scanner for Device Type, then enter Tape Drive in Display Name.

(continued)

Windows®95 / 98 and NT

Display Name is a free text field. You can enter any description here for the attached devices. For instance, Port A has the Zip Port B has the InkJet connected. You can rename these fields to say "My Zip Drive" and "Color Printer #2".

Drive connected and

(continued)

In our example, we have a Zip®drive on Port A, so we chose Mass Storage Device for Port A. And in Port B, we have the Epson printer installed, so we chose that driver in the Device Type for Port B.

Click OK when finished.

Windows®95 / 98 and NT

8. Change printer port from LPT1 to AutoSwitch port:

If one or both of the devices being shared is a printer, you must follow the procedure below to reconfigure the port connected to the printer. If both devices are printers, then this must be done for both printers. If neither device is a printer, then you can skip this step.

8.1. Click on Start, select Settings, and double-click on Printers.

8.2. Right-click on the printer installed on the Bitronics switch, and click on Properties:

(continued)

Windows®95 / 98 and NT

8.3. Click on the Details tab. In the pull-down menu Print to the following port:, select the correct port this printer is connected to on the Bitronics switch:

• LPx1 – PA (autoswitch) – Select this if the printer is connected to

Port A of the Bitronics switch.

• LPx1 – PB (autoswitch) – Select this if the printer is connected to

Port B of the Bitronics switch.

(continued)

In the image above, the printer is connected to Port B of the Bitronics switch. Therefore, LPx1 – PB (autoswitch) is selected. When finished, click OK.

8.4. Click on Spool Settings and click on Start printing after last page is spooled.

Windows®95 / 98 and NT

8.5. If NOT grayed out, click on Disable bi-directional support for this printer. Otherwise, ignore.

8.6. Click OK in the Spool Settings window. Click OK again in the main properties window.

(continued)

Using the Bitronics Software

Example: Two Printers Shared Between Two Computers

The Bitronics Software automatically handles printing chores by directing your print jobs to the correct port on the Bitronics switch based on the settings you set in the Printer Properties and the Settings in step 7 previously. When you print something in any Windows simply select the printer you wish to print to, and the Bitronics software handles the switching duties. IT IS FULLY AUTOMATIC!

application (like MS Word or Excel), you

Windows®95 / 98 and NT

(continued)

How does it work?

With the Bitronics Software loaded and the ports properly configured for the printers as shown in step 8 above, when you print in Windows goes to the Bitronics software first. There, the Bitronics software adds a command in the beginning of the print job telling the Bitronics Switch which port to send the print job to.

In the example below, the Epson Printer is connected to Port B, as described in the Where: line. When printing, the Bitronics software tells the Bitronics switch to switch to Port B first, then allows the print job to go through the switch, out to Port B, and to the Epson printer.

, the print job

Then if you wish to print to the second printer, let’s say a LaserJet example, all you have to do is select that particular printer in the Print dialog box. Click OK, and the print job is automatically sent to the LaserJet

™

for

™

printer

on Port A of the Bitronics switch.

Windows®95 / 98 and NT

(continued)

All you have to do is pick your printer, and the software does everything else. But remember, ALL THE SETTINGS MUST BE CORRECT, otherwise you may print garbage out of the wrong printer!

Below, the user has chosen the LaserJet

™

printer. Here, this printer is connected to Port A of the AutoSwitch. When the print job is sent, the Bitronics software tells the Bitronics switch to switch to Port A, then lets the print job go through to the LaserJet

™

Windows®95 / 98 and NT

(continued)

EXAMPLE: Sharing One Printer and a Zip®drive (or any other mass

storage device)

When dealing with a mass storage device (devices that add a drive letter to your system like E:) such as a Zip tray must be configured so that the Bitronics switch is defaulted to the Port attached to the Zip connected to the Zip

drive. It is necessary for the switch to always remain

drive so that any time you access that drive, you will

drive, the Bitronics Software in the system

always be connected, and not receive error messages:

1. Make sure that the port that connects to the Zip Mass Storage Device in Settings. See Step 7 above for more info. The image below shows the Zip

drive is connected to Port A, and

drive is set to

that the device type is Mass Storage Device. Type anything you want in Display Name. Click OK when finished.

Windows®95 / 98 and NT

(continued)

2. Click on the port that has the mass storage device connected. In this case, it is a Zip

drive on Port A. As you can see, the Display Name

entered above appears below as you had entered it. Click OK.

Now, the Bitronics switch will always keep your computer connected to the Zip drive. That way, anytime you access it, you will not get any strange errors. Then, when you print to the Ink Jet Printer on Port B (as shown above), the Bitronics switch will switch to Port B temporarily to send the print job, then switch back to Port A to keep communication with the Zip

drive.

Windows®95 / 98 and NT

(continued)

Visual Feedback – How do I know what port I am on?

When the Bitronics switch is in its normal scanning mode, the LEDs are moving back and forth across the computer ports. To see the software in action, simply press the COMPUTER button so you can see a computer port’s connection. Press the COMPUTER port until the LEDs around 1 are lit up, and you will see which device port it is currently connected to. If it is in File Transfer mode, the computer port LEDs are green, and neither device port LEDs will be lit. Then, click on the Bitronics software icon in the taskbar and change ports. You will see the LED of the Bitronics switch to the port you chose.

Using any other parallel device (not printers or mass storage devices) with a printer

When dealing with other parallel port devices, they are set as Scanners in the Settings (step 7 above). Examples of these are scanners, parallel port cameras, and tape drives. When you need access to this device, simply single-click on the Bitronics system tray icon, and select the device you wish to use. A check mark will appear showing which device is connected. For example, we have a scanner and a printer on the Bitronics switch:

You will be connected to the scanner device indefinitely. But let us say you wish to print to the InkJet printer, the software will again automatically switch to the port that has the printer and send the print job. However, the switch will remain connected to the printer - it will not change back to the Scanner, unlike the mass storage device mentioned previously. This means that you have to use this method to switch to the scanner each time you need to use it.

Windows®95 / 98 and NT

(continued)

If no printers are installed

If no printers are installed, the Settings type (see step 7) for each device must be set either for Mass Storage Device (if the device adds a drive letter to your system), or Scanner (for all other types of devices).

The Bitronics software may not function properly in some systems if there is no Default Printer set. To do this, add a printer using the Add Printer Wizard (click Start, select Settings, double-click on Printers), and just use the Generic/Text Only driver. Remember to use Local Printer and LPT1 when the wizard asks you. This will then be set as your default printer, so that the Bitronics software can work properly.

Removing and Adding the Bitronics Switch Icon from the System Tray

• To remove the icon, simply right click on it, and answer Yes to the prompt.

• To reload the icon back into the system tray, click on Start, select Programs, select Belkin Bitronics Switch and select AutoSwitch-Multi PCs.

ADVANCED USER TIP:

If you are using devices with pass-through ports (like Zip®Drives and Scanners), you can connect a printer to the pass-through port and use the other device port on the Bitronics switch to connect to another device. Just be sure that the printer driver has its Port set to the correct device port. For example, if you wish to share 2 printers, 1 Zip computers, connect the Zip printer to the pass-through of the Zip pass-through of the scanner. In the Bitronics software, set Port A to Mass Storage Device, and Port B to Scanner. Then in the Printer Properties/ details, set the Print to the following Port to LPx1- PA (auto switch) for the first printer, and LPx1- PB (auto switch) for the second printer. In general, only printers can be connected to pass-through ports.

Drive to Port A, the Scanner to Port B, the first

Drive and 1 scanner between 2

Drive, and the second printer to the

Windows®95 / 98 and NT

(continued)

Using the File Transfer Feature

The file transfer feature of the Bitronics switch allows both computers to connect as if there were a file transfer cable connected between them. To do this, double-click on the Bitronics switch system tray icon, click on File Transfer, and click OK. The LED of the corresponding computer port on the Bitronics switch will turn green. This LED represents the computer you are on now is set for file transfer mode.

Next, the second PC must also perform the same operation. When both sets of PC LEDs on the Bitronics switch are green, then the computers are ready for file transfer. At this point, the cables and the Bitronics switch act as if it were a file transfer cable. You can now run programs such as Windows Direct Cable Connection, or LapLink®. Please refer to their user manuals or websites for information on how to configure their software. Just remember that your Bitronics switch setup mimics the file transfer cable requirement.

NOTE: Computer 1 can only file transfer to computer 2, and computer

3 can file transfer to computer 4. If you change the ports manually using the buttons, the changes made will not be reflected in the software.

+ 150 hidden pages