QVS Technical Support

Q: I'm using the QVS IEEE 1284 Parallel Autoswitch, and the printer does not print/the LEDS flash back and forth, also it continually scans the ports without finding the printer.
A: Change the dip switch to "ON", and set the printer port to ECP/EPP mode.

Q: How do I set up the Parallel Autoswitch to automatically or manually select the ports?
A: The software will auto-detect, or you can manually switch by pushing the buttons to select the ports.

Q: How do I set up the Parallel Autoswitch with 2 devices and 1 computer?
A: You should check to make sure the dip switch 1 is on and cables are IEEE rated. Install and setup the software or manually switch the ports.

Q: The Autoswitch doesn't work with a printer cable with an adapter connected to the PC and switch, what cable should I use?
A: Use a DB24 M/M Straight-through cable.

Q: Why does the autoswitch work with my Windows 95 but not with my Win NT?
A: Check your Win NT computer to see if it is set to EPP/ECP mode. Also, check your cables to see if you've installed the right one to the correct computer. You might have switched them between the Windows 95 and NT.

Q: Why doesn't the autoswitch work when I have it set up to 1 PC and 2 devices?
A: You have to manually select the port or use the software to select the port.

Q: Why does my printer stop printing periodically and I sometimes have to reset it when I have it connected to the autoswitch?
A: Try using the optional power adapter. Sometimes it needs more power.

Q: Why doesn't the switch work with either Port A (HP printer) or Port B (Ditto Drive)?
A: You need to select the port manually or use the software to switch. The Ditto Drive needs to be locked on the computer when you boot up. Also check to see if your printer cables are IEEE compatible for both the Ditto drive and the printer.

Q: Does the switch need a power adapter?
A: It can usually draw enough power from the computer and printers, but if you have two inkjets, or a laptop hooked up, you may need to get a power adapter.

Q: After installing the driver, I can't do a file transfer and the print jobs don't finish, printing only 1.5 pages. I tried setting the time out to a bigger value, but that didn't help.
A: Try installing a newer driver version and try to reset the switch.

Q: How do I change the parallel port to ECP?
A: It should be in the system BIOS rather than in the printer properties.

Q: My printer is printing garbled random characters.
A: Make sure the parallel port is set to ECP/EPP and add a power adapter.

Q: I can't seem to print to my laser printer consistently although my inkjet works fine, can you tell me what the problem is?
A: Check the cables and the parallel port mode. If there is nothing wrong with them, try adding a power adapter.

Q: The unit does not autoswitch in 1 � 2 mode.
A: It does not autoswitch in this mode.

Q: I have a 2 PCs to one laser printer hookup, it was fine for one day then it began to sporadically printout hieroglyphic characters. I already have IEEE cables.
A: Check the parallel port setting and try using a power adapter.

Q: I used to have 3 devices on a single parallel port - a cartridge drive, a scanner and a printer - the cartridge drive can be used with the printer or scanner, but I have to re-cable every time. I've got the dipswitch 1 to "ON" and I added a power adapter, it still does not work.
A: Check that the cables are IEEE1284 rated, the parallel ports are EPP/ECP, and that you use the software or manually select the port.

Q: On the adapter's female plug, which one is positive and which one is negative?
A: The central ring is positive and the outer ring is negative.

Q: My Canon multi-function or Epson dot matrix won't print.
A: Set parallel port to ECP/EPP mode, reboot the computer then reinstall the drivers for the printers as the system requires.

Q: I can only work with one default printer when using an HP 3100 and an HP 340. The software won't switch the port, and only the printer which was locked on the PC boot up will print. After switching, the printer that worked no longer works.
A: It does not autoswitch when you work with 1 PC to 2 printers. You will need to use the software or manually push the button to switch the port and choose the right software before you try to print.

Q: I have a Dell computer and a PC, one of them prints but the other one does not.
A: The Dell computer will only let you choose between PC or PS/2 for parallel port setting. The PS/2 is for ECP, so try to switch the cable and try again. Dell may not support ECP or EPP which may be the cause of the problem. try using the reset button when it doesn't print.

Q: Does this switch work with an HP 500?
A: This printer model is incompatible with the autoswitch, you may want to get an extra parallel port or go for a USB solution.

Q: I have two 486 computers connected to the printer, but it won't print.
A: 486 computers do not ECP as an option, so you might have to get a different type of switch.

Q: Printer does not print.
A: Try any of the following procedures: set the port to ECP; make sure the cable from the computer to switch is IEEE rated; try adding a power adapter; try setting the dip switches; install the software and try switching it.

Q: To be able to print from my Win 95 machine (Port A), I have to keep the Win NT machine (Port B) ON.
A: Switch the port and see whether the problem happens on the same port or if it is the same machine that has problems.

Q: I have a scanner, an HP printer and a Zip drive, but the Zip drive is not recognized by the computer.
A: The Zip drive will need to be locked on to the computer when the computer boots up. It will only recognize it then, the scanner will probably require the same, so in this case you won't be able to use the scanner with the Zip drive at the same time on the switch box. Currently there is no USB converting solution for Zip drives or scanners available. You will probably need an I/O card for an extra parallel port.

Q: I'm using the switch box with a desktop, a laptop, a Canon multi-function machine, and the desktop has never been able to work with it, the laptop periodically gets garbled print.
A: Check your parallel port settings and set it to EPP or ECP.

Q: The switch does not work with my HP 712 and HP Laser 2100 printers. I tried changing the dipswitch 1 to "ON" and the laser printer on Port A was working but the 712 still does not. Then I tried to connect the 712 directly to the computer, and that doesn't work anymore either. It was working fine before I hooked it up to the switch.
A: Try to get the updated software from our website, also check with HP about how to get the 712 to work directly with your PC.

Q: My Canon BJ5000 does not print, I also tried it on a USB to parallel converter and got the same error message. Do you know if the printer has some special design to keep it from working with switches or converters, and does the switch support bi-directional communication?
A: The switch supports bi-directional communication, but before it can work, you sometimes have to go through certain steps with the printer. You also need to select the port and printer driver before it will print properly. A bi-directional USB to parallel converter will soon be available.

Q: I have 1 PC to a laser printer and camera - what kind of cable do need and will I also need a power adapter?
A: The cable from the computer to the switch is a straight through pinout IEEE 1284 compliant, part # CC405D. You may need a power adapter if the LEDs on the switch box are dim of if they don't light up.

Q: The switch doesn't work with 2 PCs and a Lexmark printer. I don't have the EPP or ECP option on my BIOS.
A: You may have to upgrade your BIOS or parallel card, but if this is not an option, try the AF-251 which supports both standard and EPP parallel mode.

Q: I'm having problems with a laser and inkjet printer hooked up to one PC. The Inkjet tells me 2-way communication cannot be established.--
A: Make sure you've set the dipswitch 1 to "ON", check the parallel port is on EPP/ECP. You need to run the printer configuration utility to disable the bi-directional feature and uncheck "LAUNCH TOOL BOX WHEN PRINTING", also uncheck the "PRINT CARTRIDGE QUERY".

Q: When I turn off the computers and printers, the LEDs remain on or are flashing. I'm using a power adapter, will it shorten the switch's life if I consistently leave on the power adapter?
A: It is normal for the LEDs to flash or for one of them to be lit up when the computers and printers are off. If your printers work without the power adapter, you won't really need it. Otherwise, you can leave it on but there is a possibility that a power surge could damage it.

Q: I need to use the MK21FBP on computers running UNIX SCO systems to access 2 printers, can I manually switch if no software is available?
A: Yes it can be manually switched. Check with your local MK21FBP supplier about the availability of software for UNIX SCO systems.

Q: I've installed a new driver and the HP 895Cse on port B and the Canon laser printer on port A doesn't work, nor does the switch switch to B.
A: Switch the HP827 to port A and the Canon to port B.

Q: I've checked all my settings, but the switch seems to have gotten locked up on the Win 98 machine port.
A: Push the reset button to release it.

Q: Is this switch compatible with an HP IJ310?
A: Yes, with the BIOS set to ECP and manual switching only.

Q: I tried connecting 2 computers to a scanner and through the scanner to an Epson 700 printer, will this connection work?
A: You will probably lose the bi-directional communication for the printer. We suggest you change over to an MK22FBP.

Q: My Canon BJC7000 cannot print text documents, and while printing graphics, I got error messages.
A: Try reinstalling the driver with the switch connected.

Q: Is the center of the MK21FPB positive or negative on the power adapter?
A: It should be positive.

Q: Whenever I shut down the DOS machine, the Win 98 machine won't print to the printer.
A: Switch the port and try again. You may need a power adapter.

Q: I have an MK21FBP and only the printer works and the QuickCam does not.
A: Check the dipswitch settings, cables, parallel port mode and try putting the camera on Port A. Specify it as "mass storage device" to keep it connected.

Q: I can print from a black box to the Lexmark printer, but not from the print server.
A: Change the parallel port mode on the print server to EPP or ECP.

Q: How do I identify the IEEE1284 cable and how do I specify the ports?
A: The IEEE1284 cables usually have markings on the cable. to specify the port, it should be according to which port on the switch the printers are connected to.

Q: How does the MK21FBP work in a DOS environment and will it work on a network?
A: On DOS, you will need the software to select the port before printing. Yes, it will work on a network.

Set the port to EPP or ECP.
Set the dipswitchs to "ON" or "OFF".
Disable the bi-directional feature.
Try using a power adapter.
Make sure you are using CC405D and CC404D IEEE1284 straight through cables.
Update your driver