Parallel port testing issues

[BillO]

I purchased the registered version of BIT Pro recently along with some loopback plugs. All loopback tests seem to run fine (serial, USB, etc) except the parallel port test. I get corruption every time, often on the first cycle.
Does this mean the machine definitely has a dodgy port?

I'm running...
Windows XP
2 Ghz Pentium 4
512 MB RAM
ASUS A7V8X motherboard
35 Gig Seagate HD
Rage 128 Pro

[David (PassMark)]

[quote="BillO"] All loopback tests seem to run fine (serial, USB, etc) except the parallel port test. I get corruption every time, often on the first cycle.

I'm running...
Windows XP
[end quote="BillO"]

Windows XP introduced a new "feature" in the operating system called "warm polling" that polls the parallel port from time to time (especially just after booting). Because Windows was sending data out the parallel port at the same time as BurnInTest was running the parallel port loopback test the resulting input data was corrupted.
This problem has been fixed in BurnInTest Pro 3.1 by locking the port at a driver level before the test starts. BurnInTest Pro 3.1 is available at...

PassMark admin
http://www.passmark.com/ftp/bitpro.exe

[BillO]

Cool,

Downloaded it, no more parallel port errors.
What do I need to get the new sound test mode working?

[David (PassMark)]

You'll need an audio loopback cable, thoughtfully supplied by PassMark
You can read more about audio loopback cables here...
http://www.passmark.com/products/audio_loopback.htm
Check the BurnInTest help under Test Descriptions -> Sound Card for more info on audio loopback testing.

[Anonymous]

I am using Windows 2000 W/service pack 3
I test the board with your parallel loop back plug
After the test I print the results to a HP Laserjet 5L
If I go back to run the test again, I get this error:

Warning: Could not lock the parallel port

No matter what I do I can not run the test again, I even tried running a windows 2000 upgrade and still no luck. This happens on every board that I test. I am testing Supermicro X5DPE-G2 Dual XEON 3.06 533/FSB boards

Please help

Thanks

[David (PassMark)]

Thanks for your E-mail. This is not a serious error. Software programs can lock the parallel port for exclusive use. This is what BurnInTest tries to do before starting its tests.

If another piece of software doesn't release the port when it is finished then you will get this error. The printer driver software probably (incorrectly) thinks it is safe to hold the port locked and keep exclusive use of the port.

-------
David
PassMark

[Update from Rick]: Thanks, I did get it to work by uninstalling the HP5l printer, I could then run the test again.