Legacy Parallel Devices May Not Respond After Resume

ID: Q242939

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
Microsoft Windows 98

SYMPTOMS

When you suspend and resume a computer that uses Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI), legacy (non Plug and Play) parallel devices may stop functioning.

NOTE: Plug and Play printers that you do not turn on before the computer starts may also stop working. This problem affects any device that is connected to a parallel (LPT) port on a computer running Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition.

CAUSE

This issue can occur because Virtual Communications Device (VCOMM) does not attempt to put LPT ports into the D0 power state (full power) when the port is opened; it is assumed to always be powered on. This is a problem, because VCOMM puts the LPT port into the D3 power state (powered off) when you suspend your computer, but does not put it back to D0 after you resume your computer.

RESOLUTION

A supported fix that corrects this problem is now available from Microsoft, but it has not been fully regression tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem.

To resolve this problem, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:

http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/overview/overview.asp

The English language version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:


   Date      Time      Version     Size     File name   Platform
   ----------------------------------------------------------------------
   9/27/99   11:06pm   4.10.2018   33,107   VCOMM.VXD   Windows 98
                                                        Windows 98 Second 
                                                        Edition

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition.

MORE INFORMATION

VCOMM checks the initialization of a device to see if it is an LPT port or a COM port. If the port is an LPT port, VCOMM does not enable power management for the port. This means that the LPT port is in the D0 power state and is assumed to always be powered on. In contrast, VCOMM manages the power state of COM ports. COM ports are normally in the D3 power state until you open the port. They are then put into D0. They return to D3 after you close the port.

Additional query words: ACPI Ports VCOMM

Keywords : kbprint winpnp wincomm winapm
Version : WINDOWS:98 Second Edition
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb