1 Port Low Profile PCI Parallel Adapter Card

Before you install the device, make sure that your operating system is current (for example, the most recent service pack is installed).

1. Download the latest drivers from the StarTech.com website at www.startech.com/Support. The part number and product ID are on the product packaging.

Note: Windows usually saves the files to the Downloads folder that is associated with your user account (for example, C:\Users\your_name\Downloads).

2. After the download is complete, right-click the zip folder that you downloaded, click Extract All, and complete the instructions.
3. Press the Windows key + R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter to open the Device Manager.
4. Right-click PCI Simple Communications Controller, which will have a “!” or “?” next to it to indicate a driver issue.
5. Click Update Driver.
6. Click Browse my computer for driver software.
7. Select the Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer option.
8. On the Select your device’s type from the list below screen, click Show All Devices, and click Next.

Note: The Select your device’s type from the list below screen does not appear on all systems. If you do not see this screen, skip this step.

9. Select the Have Disk option.
10. Browse to the Drivers folder and open the 32-bit or the 64-bit folder, depending on your system type.

Note: To view your system type, press Windows key + R, type control /name microsoft.system, and press Enter.

11. Click the StnMF file or the NmXpMf file (only one of the file names is displayed). Click OK, and then click Next.
12. The COM ports are listed in Device Manager under Ports (COM & LPT). Complete steps 4 to 11 for each of the COM ports, and select the StnPorts file or the NmPorts file in step 11.

Before you install the device, make sure that your operating system is current (for example, the most recent service pack is installed).

1. Download the latest drivers from the StarTech.com website at www.startech.com/Downloads. The part number and product ID are on the product packaging.

Note: Windows usually saves the files to the Downloads folder that is associated with your user account (for example, C:\Documents and Settings\your_name\My Documents\Downloads).

2. After the download is complete, right-click the zip folder that you downloaded, click Extract All, and complete the instructions.
3. Press the Windows key + R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter to open the Device Manager.
4. Right-click PCI Simple Communications Controller, which will have “!” or “?” next to it to indicate a driver issue.
5. Click Update Driver.
6. On the Hardware Update Wizard screen, click Install from a list or specific location (Advanced), and then click Next.
7. Select the Don’t search, I will choose the driver to install option, and then click Next.
8. On the Hardware Type screen, click Show All Devices, and then click Next.

Note: The Hardware Type screen does not appear on all systems. If you do not see this screen, skip this step.

9. On the Select the Device Driver you want to install for this hardware screen, select the Have Disk option.
10. In the Install from Disk dialog box, click Browse.
11. Browse to the Drivers folder and open the 32-bit or the 64-bit folder, depending on your system type.

Note: To view your system type, press Windows key + R, type control /name microsoft.system, and press Enter.

12. Click the StnMF file or the NmXpMf file (only one of the file names is displayed). Click OK, and then click Next.
13. The COM ports are listed in Device Manager under Ports (COM & LPT). Complete steps 4 to 11 for each of the COM ports, and select the StnPorts file or the NmPorts file in step 11.

When you troubleshoot issues with a parallel device, there are some quick tests that you can complete to rule out potential problems. You can test to make sure that the following components are working correctly and are not the source of the issue:

• Parallel cables

• Parallel ports

• Parallel devices

To test your setup components, try the following:

• Use the parallel cable, parallel port, and parallel device in another setup to see if the problem is with the components or the setup.

• Use a different parallel cable, parallel port, and parallel device in your setup to see if the problem persists. Ideally, you should test a component that you know works in another setup.

When you test your cables, it is recommended that you do the following:

• Test each cable individually.

• Use short cables when you are testing.

When you test the parallel ports and parallel device, it is recommended that you do the following:

• Press the Windows key + R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter. Check to see if the parallel ports and parallel device is listed under Ports (COM & LPT).

• Make sure that the LPT port number is the correct number for the parallel device and that the software being used to connect the computer to the parallel device uses the correct LPT port number. 

• If you do not see the LPT port number in Device Manager please see this FAQ for PCI/PCIe expansion cards: https://www.startech.com/support/faqs/technical-support?topic=expansion-cards#pci-pcie-cannot-boot-os-or-detect-windows
  or this FAQ for USB devices: https://www.startech.com/support/faqs/technical-support?topic=expansion-cards#usb-cannot-detect-windows

• If the device is listed with an error, follow the instructions on the website to reinstall the drivers.

Note: Some parallel devices only work if the LPT port number is between a certain range, usually LPT1 or LPT2.

This issue was the result of a Windows update that has recently been fixed in the KB3140743 update. If you are still experiencing this issue, download the latest Windows update.

You can also temporarily resolve the issue by completing the following:

1. Press the Windows key + X.
2. Click Device Manager.
3. Expand the section for Ports (COM & LPT).
4. Right-click on the LPT port that is experiencing the issue.
5. Click Properties.
6. Click the Port Settings tab.
7. Under Filter Resource Method, select an option that is not currently selected.
8. Click OK.

To confirm that Windows detects your expansion card, complete the following:

1. Press the Windows key+R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter.
2. In Device Manager, under the appropriate heading, confirm that your expansion card is listed and that there isn't an exclamation mark next to it.  For example, a USB controller card would be under Universal Serial Bus controllers.

Your expansion card is listed according to the name of the chipset. To determine the name of the chipset of your expansion card, navigate to www.StarTech.com and look on the Technical Specifications tab for your product.

Yes. This PCI card uses a universal connector keyed for both 3.3V and 5V that can be used with PCI and PCI-X. This type of connector is identified as having 2 separate notches, instead of just one.