Belkin Bitronics F1U128-KIT User manual

P73045 F1U128-KIT
Bitronics DualBus
Switch Kit
User Manual

1
Introduction
Features
Thank you for purchasing the Belkin Components Bitronics DualBus Switch
Kit! Now, you and your colleagues can share and select between two
different parallel devices from your desktop. And, if you are using
Windows®95, 98 or NT®, you will be able to take advantage of Bitronics
Software, which allows you to print automatically even if you have more
than one printer!
• Allows four computers to access any two parallel devices simultaneously
and independently
• Virtual Port printer driver software allows fully automatic printer selection
through Windows®95/98 and NT®
• File-transfer feature between two PCs compatible with Windows®Direct
Cable Connection, LapLink®and DOS Interlink™
• Includes two 6 ft. (1.8m) IEEE 1284-compliant cables to connect the computers
• Includes power adapter
• Adjustable timeout
Package Contents:
Bitronics DualBus Switch, 4-2 F1U128
Power Adapter, 9VDC, 600mA F1D065-PWR (US)
2 x IEEE 1284-compliant cables F2A047-06
User manual P73045
Registration card P72009
Other Parts Needed (if necessary)
• IEEE 1284 printer cable, Belkin Part# F2A046-XX. You will need this
cable to connect a printer to the autoswitch. Your current printer cables
may work, but IEEE-compliant cables are recommended.
• IEEE 1284 device cable, Belkin Part# F2A047-XX. You will need this
cable to connect a computer to the autoswitch.
NOTE: "XX" is the length in feet.

2
Compatible Standards:
IEEE 1284-1994 Parallel Port Communication Standard
Electrical:
Input Voltage 9VDC
Max Input Current 600mA
Max Power Consumption 5.4W
Max Heat Dissipation 0.31 BTU/min
Dimensions:
Width: 7.0” (17.8cm)
Height: 3.75” (9.5cm)
Depth: 1.25” (3.2cm)
Weight: 7.1 oz. (202 g)
Storage Temperature: -10ºC to 50ºC
(14ºF to 122ºF)
Operating Temperature: 0ºC to 40ºC
(32ºF to 104ºF)
Humidity: 0 to 95%
Non-condensing
Technical Specifications

3
DIP switch settings (located underneath switch):
SW1: Reset Switch
To reset, OFF→ON→OFF
SW2 and SW3: TimeOut Setting
TimeOut is the amount of time the switch remains locked on a PC port after
data transfer. Use a longer TimeOut when connecting to scanners, mass
storage devices and for large print jobs.
Product Detail
Device activity LEDs Connector to Device A Connector to Device B
Connector to PC2
PC activity LEDs
Recommended
Printer button
Computer button
DC power jack
(side)
Connector to PC3
ON DIP
1234
ON is UP. SW4 is not used.
SW2
ON ON 5 seconds
ON OFF 10 seconds
OFF ON 20 seconds
OFF OFF 40 seconds
SW3 TimeOut
Connector
to PC1 Connector
to PC4

In manual mode, you can select a port manually through the buttons on the
Bitronics switch. You can also use this mode in conjunction with software to
see your switch in action!
• Press COMPUTER to select which computer port you wish to configure or
monitor. For the computer connected to Port 1, press the COMPUTER
button until the LED on Port 1 is lit up either in red or green.
• Press the PRINTER button until the LED of the appropriate device port
you wish to use is lit up.
For example, if you want
computer 2 to use the
device on port B, press the
COMPUTER button until the
LED on "2" is lit up. Then,
press the PRINTER button
until LED "B" is lit up.
To use File Transfer mode, press the PRINTER button until the LED on the
computer port turns green. When the LED turns green, the port is ready for
file transfer mode. For file transfer mode to be successful for both PCs, both
computer ports must be set to file transfer mode – which is evident when the
LEDs next to 1 and 2 are green. For more information on File Transfer, please
see page 25.
Note: Computer 1 can only file transfer to computer 2, and computer
3 can file transfer to computer 4. If you change the ports
manually using the buttons, the changes made will not be
reflected in the software.
4
Manual Mode and Port Monitoring
Printer button Computer button

5
Windows®3.x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6
MS-DOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 7
Windows®95/98 and NT®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8
NOTE: When installing software on any operating system, the
software must be installed on all the computers connected to
the Bitronics switch so that each machine can control the
switch properly.
Choose your operating system

6
Software installation: Windows®3.x
Insert the diskette labeled P27236 in your floppy drive. In the Program
Manager, click on File then click Run. In the space, type in "a:\setup.exe".
Follow the installation instruction prompts. After the setup program is done,
simply double-click on the correct icon to run the port selection program.

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Software installation: MS-DOS
To switch port, simply click on the port letter of your choice, and your
computer will be connected to the device on the port chosen.
Software-Installation: MS-DOS
Enter the following at the DOS prompt and press ENTER:
Copy a:\dos\swport.com c:\SWPORT.com
SWPORT.com is a command-line executable. Please follow the syntax for
proper operation:
File Transfer in DOS and WINDOWS®3.x:
The file transfer feature of the Bitronics switch allows both computers to
connect a if there was a file transfer cable connected between them.
The LED of the corresponding computer port on the Bitronics switch will
turn green. This LED represents the computer you are on now, and is set for
file transfer mode.
The LED of the corresponding computer port on the Bitronics switch will
turn green. This LED represents the computer you are on now is set for file
transfer mode. Note that PC1 can only file transfer to PC2, and PC3 can
only file transfer to PC4. When both sets of PC LEDs on the Bitronics switch
are green, then the computers are ready for file transfer. At this point, the
cables and the Bitronics switch act as if it was a file transfer cable. You can
now run programs such as Windows‚ Direct Cable Connection, or LapLink®.
Please refer to their user manuals or websites for information on how to
configure their software. Just remember that your Bitronics switch setup
mimics the file transfer cable requirement.

8
BEFORE YOU INSTALL THE BELKIN BITRONICS SOFTWARE, YOU MUST
FIRST MAKE SURE THAT EACH DEVICE WORKS PROPERLY ON ITS OWN
WITH EACH COMPUTER. DO NOT CONNECT THE BITRONICS SWITCH TO
THE COMPUTERS OR INSTALL THE SOFTWARE UNTIL INSTRUCTED BY
THIS PROCEDURE!
1. Make sure that the printer port on your computer is set to ECP mode. To
do this, you must go into your computer’s BIOS or CMOS setup.
Instructions on how to do this differs from one computer to the next.
Please consult your computer manufacturer’s manual, tech support, or
website for information on how to do this. Please do not call Belkin Tech
Support regarding this because each computer’s BIOS setup routine is
different. Refer to the Appendices at the end of this manual for
information on several models of computers.
The BIOS setup routine prompt is displayed a few seconds after you turn
on your computer and hear its first beeps. Again, this varies from PC to
PC. Please consult the Appendices and/or your computer manufacturer’s
manual or their tech support for information on how to do this properly.
Usually you will see a message that reads PRESS DEL TO ENTER SETUP or
PRESS F2 TO ENTER SETUP. When in the setup program, there may be a
selection for "Integrated Peripherals", or "Peripheral Setup". Then, look
for "Parallel Port Type" or "LPT port type". Change that setting to say
"ECP" or "ECP/EPP". Save your settings then exit. When Windows®
restarts, it may find new hardware, and it may ask you for the Windows®
CD. Be prepared to insert the CD into the computer.
2. Make sure that the software and drivers for the devices to be shared are
properly installed on all computers.
For instance, if you are sharing a Zip®Drive and a printer between 2
computers, you will need to first connect and install the Zip®Drive drivers
on the first PC. Make sure that the Zip®Drive works perfectly on it, then
repeat the same installation process for the second PC. Then, you will
need to do the same installing the printer’s driver on both PCs as well.
This way, all the PCs have the drivers properly loaded so each one can
access either device without any problems, as if they were connected to
the computer individually.
Windows®95 / 98 and NT®

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3. Connect four computers and the devices to be shared to the Bitronics
Switch as shown below. Two cables that connect computers to the
Bitronics switch are included. Take note of which port each device is
connected to:
Connect the power adapter to the power jack on the side of the switch,
and plug it into an outlet. The example shown has a Zip®Drive connected
to Port A and an InkJet printer on Port B of the switch.
Windows®95 / 98 and NT®(continued)
Device A
connected to Port A
These two cables
are included
Device B
connected to Port B

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4. In order for all computers to properly share the devices, the software must
be installed on all four computers.
4.1. Insert the disk into your floppy drive. Click on Start, then click Run.
Enter a:\BITRONIX.exe, then click OK.
4.2. You will see the following window. Click Setup.
4.3. Close all other running applications so that the software installation
can proceed quickly and smoothly. Click Next.
Windows®95 / 98 and NT®(continued)

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4.4. Select the model of the Bitronics Switch you have, which is the
F1U127 / F1U128. Click Next.
4.5. Select Destination Folder. The default folder is recommended.
Click Next.
Windows®95 / 98 and NT®(continued)

12
Windows®95 / 98 and NT®(continued)
4.6. Select Program Folder. The default, Belkin Bitronics Switch, is the
recommended. Click Next.
4.7. When done installing, the program will ask you to restart your
computer. You must restart in order to activate the software properly.
Click Finish.
Don’t forget to remove the disk from your floppy drive before
restarting your computer!

13
Windows®95 / 98 and NT®(continued)
5. Once your computer has rebooted, the Bitronics icon will appear in
your system tray. This is how you can easily control and configure the
Bitronics Switch.
6. Double-click on the icon to open up the setup program:
Select the correct LPT
port the Bitronics
switch is connected to.
If you only have ONE
parallel port (usually
that is the case), leave
this in LPT1.

14
Windows®95 / 98 and NT®(continued)
7. Click on Settings. This is where you tell the software what devices are
connected to each port:
Device Type gives you a pull-down menu showing the types of printers
installed on your computer and other possible parallel device types as well.
Here, you must select the correct type for the device connected to that port.
• If you are using a device which adds a drive letter to your system (like a
Zip®Drive, CD-ROM, LS-120, etc...), use the Mass Storage
Device setting.
• If you are using a printer, use the printer driver used for that particular
printer on that port of the Bitronics switch. If it does not show up in this
menu, that means the printer drivers have not been installed. (In that
case, reinstall the printer drivers and repeat this step after rebooting
your computer.) If you have more than one printer installed, make sure
that the correct driver is used for the printer connected to that port on
the Bitronics switch.
• For any other parallel device, just use Scanner, and change the Display
Name accordingly. For example, if you have a parallel tape drive, use
Scanner for Device Type, then enter Tape Drive in Display Name.

15
Windows®95 / 98 and NT®(continued)
In our example, we have a Zip®drive on Port A, so we chose Mass Storage
Device for Port A. And in Port B, we have the Epson printer installed, so we
chose that driver in the Device Type for Port B.
Click OK when finished.
Display Name is a free text field. You can enter
any description here for the attached devices. For
instance, Port A has the Zip®Drive connected and
Port B has the InkJet connected. You can rename
these fields to say "My Zip Drive" and "Color
Printer #2".

16
Windows®95 / 98 and NT®(continued)
8. Change printer port from LPT1 to AutoSwitch port:
If one or both of the devices being shared is a printer, you must follow the
procedure below to reconfigure the port connected to the printer. If both
devices are printers, then this must be done for both printers. If neither
device is a printer, then you can skip this step.
8.1. Click on Start, select Settings, and double-click on Printers.
8.2. Right-click on the printer installed on the Bitronics switch, and click
on Properties:

17
Windows®95 / 98 and NT®(continued)
8.3. Click on the Details tab. In the pull-down menu Print to the
following port:, select the correct port this printer is connected to
on the Bitronics switch:
• LPx1 – PA (autoswitch) – Select this if the printer is connected to
Port A of the Bitronics switch.
• LPx1 – PB (autoswitch) – Select this if the printer is connected to
Port B of the Bitronics switch.
In the image above, the printer is connected to Port B of the
Bitronics switch. Therefore, LPx1 – PB (autoswitch) is selected.
When finished, click OK.
8.4. Click on Spool Settings and click on Start printing after last page
is spooled.

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Windows®95 / 98 and NT®(continued)
8.5. If NOT grayed out, click on Disable bi-directional support for this
printer. Otherwise, ignore.
8.6. Click OK in the Spool Settings window. Click OK again in the main
properties window.
Using the Bitronics Software
Example: Two Printers Shared Between Two Computers
The Bitronics Software automatically handles printing chores by directing your
print jobs to the correct port on the Bitronics switch based on the settings you
set in the Printer Properties and the Settings in step 7 previously. When you
print something in any Windows®application (like MS Word or Excel), you
simply select the printer you wish to print to, and the Bitronics software
handles the switching duties. IT IS FULLY AUTOMATIC!