Belkin F1U128-KIT, P73045 User Manual

P73045 F1U128-KIT

Bitronics DualBus

Switch Kit

User Manual

Introduction

Features

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!

• Allows four computers to access any two parallel devices simultaneously

and independently

• Virtual Port printer driver software allows fully automatic printer selection

through Windows

95/98 and NT

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

Cable Connection, LapLink

and DOS Interlink

™

• 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 (US) 2 x IEEE 1284-compliant cables F2A047-06 User manual P73045 Registration card P72009

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.

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

Technical Specifications

DIP switch settings (located underneath switch):

SW1: Reset Switch

To reset, OFF→ON→OFF

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.

Product Detail

Device activity LEDs

Connector to Device A

Connector to Device B

Connector to PC2

PC activity LEDs

Recommended

Printer button

Computer button

DC power jack

(side)

Connector to PC3

ON DIP

1234

ON is UP. SW4 is not used.

SW2

ON ON 5 seconds

ON OFF 10 seconds

OFF ON 20 seconds OFF OFF 40 seconds

SW3 TimeOut

Connector

to PC1

Connector

to PC4

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.

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.

Manual Mode and Port Monitoring

Printer button

Computer button

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.

Choose your operating system

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.

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

Drive and a printer between 2

computers, you will need to first connect and install the Zip

Drive drivers on the first PC. Make sure that the Zip®Drive works perfectly on it, then 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

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:

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

Drive connected

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

Windows®95 / 98 and NT

(continued)

Device A

connected to Port A

These two cables

are included

Device B

connected to Port B

+ 25 hidden pages