To run your plotter using PM32 or PMXPv, you must have a built-in parallel port, and you must configure the parallel port for EPP mode. If you do not have a built-in parallel port, you will need to use a different computer. If you need to purchase a computer with a built-in parallel port, please contact Carlson Design. Follow the instructions below to put your parallel port in EPP mode.
When you first power on your computer, hit the appropriate key for your computer or BIOS manufacturer. Please see the tables below for the key to access the BIOS setup for many common computer brands.
| Bios Manufacturer | Key Command(s) |
| ALR Advanced Logic Research, Inc. ® PC / PCI | F2 |
| ALR PC non / PCI | CTRL+ALT+ESC |
| AMD® (Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.) BIOS | F1 |
| AMI (American Megatrends, Inc.) BIOS | DEL |
| Award™ BIOS | CTRL+ALT+ESC |
| Award BIOS | DEL |
| DTK (Datatech Enterprises Co.) BIOS | ESC |
| Phoenix™ BIOS | CTRL+ALT+ESC |
| Phoenix BIOS | CTRL+ALT+S |
| Phoenix BIOS | CTRL+ALT+INS |
| Computer | Key Command(s) |
| Acer® | F1, F2, CTRL+ALT+ESC |
| AST® | CTRL+ALT+ESC, CTRL+ALT+DEL |
| Compaq® 8700 | F10 |
| CompUSA® | DEL |
| Cybermax® | ESC |
| Dell® 400 | F3 |
| Dell 400 | F1 |
| Dell Dimension® | F2 or DEL |
| Dell Inspiron® | F2 |
| Dell Latitude | Fn+F1 (while booted) |
| Dell Latitude | F2 (on boot) |
| Dell Optiplex | DEL |
| Dell Optiplex | F2 |
| Dell Precision™ | F2 |
| eMachine™ | DEL |
| Gateway® 2000 1440 | F1 |
| Gateway 2000 Solo™ | F2 |
| HP® (Hewlett-Packard) | F1, F2 |
| IBM® | F1 |
| IBM E-pro Laptop | F2 |
| IBM PS/2® | CTRL+ALT+INS after CTRL+ALT+DEL |
| IBM Thinkpad® (newer) | Windows: Programs-Thinkpad CFG. |
| Intel® Tangent | DEL |
| Micron™ | F1, F2, or DEL |
| Packard Bell® | F1, F2, Del |
| Sony® VIAO | F2 |
| Sony VIAO | F3 |
| Tiger | DEL |
| Toshiba® 335 CDS | ESC |
| Toshiba Protege | ESC |
| Toshiba Satellite 205 CDS | F1 |
| Toshiba Tecra | F1 or ESC |
If your computer is not listed above, there are some common key functions that can be used to access the computer’s setup (BIOS) on most brand name computers.
Many computers display BIOS access instructions while the computer boots. Pressing a key or a combination of keys before the Operating System begins to load will access the BIOS. Some common keys are ESC, F1, F2, F10, Ctrl-Del or Del. For more information, check the documentation that came with your computer to find out how to gain access to the computer BIOS.
If you are still unable to access the computer BIOS, please refer to the documentation that came with your computer or contact your computer manufacturer for more information.
Once you are in the BIOS setup:
- Locate the parallel port mode setting in your computer Setup. The parallel port mode settings may be located in the Advanced Settings section, Peripherals, Communication or Input/Output sections.
- Select EPP mode.
- Exit out of the computer setup, making sure you save the changes.
Compaq computers with Compaq BIOS (setup) will not allow you to change the parallel port settings. You must disable the DMA channel, which will cause the parallel port to change to EPP mode. Turn off the DMA channel assigned to the port and use the same hardware configuration that the current port is assigned. This will change the mode from ECP to EPP.
Example: Change 0378-037F, IRQ 7 DMA2 to: 0378-037f, IRQ7.
Note: On some older Compaq computers, it may not be possible to assign the parallel port settings without a DMA setting. If this is the case, contact Compaq for a possible BIOS upgrade.