Adding a Parallel Port

You can add a parallel port to your virtual machine that will be connected to a real port, a printer, or an output file.

Note: A virtual machine can have up to three parallel ports.

To add a parallel port to a virtual machine:

1. Choose Configure from the Virtual Machine menu to open the Virtual Machine Configuration dialog.
2. Click the Add button in the bottom part of the Virtual Machine Configuration dialog to launch Add Hardware Wizard.
3. In the Select Device window, select Parallel Port and click Next .

   To add a parallel port that will have a typical configuration, click the Add Typical Device button. The wizard will add a typical parallel port ready for use.

4. In the Add Parallel Port window, specify the resource to be used for the parallel port emulation and click Next . You can choose one of the following resources:
   • Real Port . Select this option to connect the virtual machine's parallel port to a real parallel port of your physical computer.
   • Output File . Select this option to emulate the parallel port by using an output file. In this case, a new output file with the default name will be created in the virtual machine's folder.
   • Printer . Select this option to connect a printer using the virtual machine's parallel port.

   If you want the device to be connected to the virtual machine automatically at startup, select the Connected option. If you clear this option, the drive will be enabled in the configuration, but not connected to the virtual machine. You can connect it later when running the virtual machine.

5. In the next window, specify the resource properties:
   • If you chose the Real Port option on the previous step, you should choose the appropriate parallel port name in the Parallel Port list.
   • If you chose the Output File option on the previous step, you should set the path to the corresponding file in the Output File field. You can leave the file offered by Add Hardware Wizard or specify another one by using the Choose button or manually typing the full path to it in the field provided.
   • If you chose the Printer option on the previous step, you should choose the appropriate printer name in the Printer list.

   Click the Add Device button to add a new parallel port to your virtual machine.