Parallel Port Does Not Work in Input Mode

I just looked on Intel's website and there about 19 bios updates for the motherboard. I do not think the bios has ever been updated for the computer I am using, I will try updating next week to see if that fixes the problem. Thank you for all the help today I will update this thread with my findings next week.

This must have been a looooong week....

I have the same problem. is there a possibility that there could be different cable types? the problem is that i have tried the onboard parallel too and it is the same thing. I have the one onboard out and two others as in. the in card behave as the other guy mentioned. from where i bought the cards he said they are Moschip MCS9901 but in lspci -vv says :
MosChip Semiconductor Technology Ltd. PCIe 9912 Multi-I/O Controller (prog-if 03 [IEEE1284]).
i am running linuxcnc 2.7.8.

any help appreciated

I use a lot of NetMos pci cards and they do work properly as out in or X mode. Also the built in ones i use do work properly.
I wonder, did yout add the paraport read and write instances in hal for the other ( pci cards ) ports ? Without tehm it will not work.
To test inputs on a parallel port just short them to the ground.
When i get home i will attach a config i use for servo PWM drives with encoders directly connected to paraport and i have a VCP panel with all inputs and outputs added so you can see if they are working. It is set for X mode so 8 outputs and 9 inputs.

Found the problem... i have this chinese break out board with the 17 optocouplers(one on each pin). They are onedirectional... so... 60 euros wasted... Another question. Does anyone know what is the logic level of the parallel port and how safe is to connect direct all my input to the parallel port without breakout board?
i have only switches and one encoder. no motors relays etc. Thank you..

Oh you did not mention a BOB, they can not be used for that. If you want to connect limit switches, that is OK, anything else and it gets more complicated.
The older paraports had a 5V level, new ones are 3.3V and most of them can tolerate 5V ( all that i have do ).
Again for limit switches you do not need to worry about levels, if you do not intend to use it on a plasma cutter.
It can be used for plasma too, but need good shielding on the cabling.

The logic level of the p-port depends on the machine, it will be either 5V or 3.3V. However they are all 5V tolerant, as the spec requires that.