Xiphod is back with another exploration of the Commander X16’s User Port in his latest video. This time, he’s focusing on understanding how the User Port behaves when jumper J3 is set to its default position, causing it to operate similarly to a traditional LPT parallel port.
Using an older PC, Xiphod attempts to establish bi-directional communication via its LPT port. Despite tweaking BIOS settings to enable bi-directional capabilities, he hasn’t had much luck receiving data just yet. Determined not to leave empty-handed, he turns instead to visualizing signals using a breadboard and LEDs.
His setup lets viewers see exactly what’s happening with each data pin, turning abstract signals into clear visual feedback. For anyone interested in hardware experiments or the Commander X16 specifically, this hands-on demonstration provides practical insights. The accompanying C code, compiled specifically for the X16 using cc65, is openly shared, encouraging enthusiasts to replicate or expand upon his work.
Viewers eager to follow along or dive deeper into the details can find the project’s code and discussion conveniently linked on the official Commander X16 forums.
