Expansion Bus questions

Discussion in 'A+' started by mikehende, May 16, 2006.

  1. mikehende

    mikehende Kilobyte Poster

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    Why are Printers called "Parallel" devices?
     
  2. Clyde

    Clyde Megabyte Poster

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    well, they're not as such!

    Modern printers tend to connect to the PC using a USB connection. USB is a serial connection, meaning data is transferred one bit at a time.

    Previously, printers were typically connected via the printer port, which was a parallel port, meaning data was transferred multiple bits at a time.

    So, bottom line is that printers can be parallel or serial, but to be pedantic, its the interface thats parallel or serial, not the printer.

    hope that helps...
     
    Certifications: A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA, MCSE
    WIP: MCITP
  3. mikehende

    mikehende Kilobyte Poster

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    Yes, the explanation does help [thanks] although I am trying to figure out why the word "parallel" is used here?
     
  4. Clyde

    Clyde Megabyte Poster

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    I dunno! Depends on the author, age of the book etc I guess. In the past, printers were typically connected via the parallel port so were considered parallel devices... ie devices that were connected via the parallel port.
     
    Certifications: A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA, MCSE
    WIP: MCITP
  5. hbroomhall

    hbroomhall Petabyte Poster Gold Member

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    Because in the traditional world one of the standard ports for printers was the parallel one.

    Here parallel means that all 8 bits are output at once over 8 wires, compared to serial, where each bit is output one after the other over one wire.

    These days parallel printers are getting rarer. However, you must realize that many of the exams live a bit in the past, simply because there is still a *lot* of old kit out there, and in your working life you will meet a lot of it.

    Harry.
     
    Certifications: ECDL A+ Network+ i-Net+
    WIP: Server+
  6. Clyde

    Clyde Megabyte Poster

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    for what its worth, the printers in my office are ALL parallel. Mind you, our admin is a tight arse and buys from ebay when he can!
     
    Certifications: A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA, MCSE
    WIP: MCITP
  7. hbroomhall

    hbroomhall Petabyte Poster Gold Member

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    Hm - spinwriters and golfballs? :biggrin

    Harry.
     
    Certifications: ECDL A+ Network+ i-Net+
    WIP: Server+
  8. Clyde

    Clyde Megabyte Poster

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    hah! close but no cigar... there's a few old hp laserjets languishing in the corner but these are some reasonable lexmarks.. I won't complain about them - they work!
     
    Certifications: A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA, MCSE
    WIP: MCITP
  9. hbroomhall

    hbroomhall Petabyte Poster Gold Member

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    My golden rule is to never complain about anything that works. If you do it will hear you and go on strike in a fit of pique.

    Harry.
     
    Certifications: ECDL A+ Network+ i-Net+
    WIP: Server+
  10. Clyde

    Clyde Megabyte Poster

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    yup, as jerry pournelle says, they have a critical need detector that lights up as needed and causes mayhem!
     
    Certifications: A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA, MCSE
    WIP: MCITP
  11. mikehende

    mikehende Kilobyte Poster

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    That does it, thanks!
     
  12. mikehende

    mikehende Kilobyte Poster

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    which is the best way/method to delete/uninstall "Device Drivers" please?
     
  13. hbroomhall

    hbroomhall Petabyte Poster Gold Member

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    Normally the best way is to select the device itself in the device manager and click the 'uninstall' button.

    Harry.
     
    Certifications: ECDL A+ Network+ i-Net+
    WIP: Server+

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