Rick, I do not have time to answer individual e-mails from forums, but I will post here on the parallel port question where everyone might benefit. I can post the drivers, but would need to know the operating system you need them for, and whether 32 bit or 64 bit.
I am using the WHQL Windows XP 32 bit drivers from the MOSCHIP web site.
In general, I suggest using a straight PCI to LPT card with NO other goodies on it, and avoid multi purpose chips if possible. Mach obviously has some hard coded expectations and it seems intolerant of deviation from the original IBM port standards and will ignore any 'slight-of-hand' tricks where a vendor is intercepting software port calls and redirecting those to their own super slick setup. Mach appears to talk to the hardware and will not utilize such 'do everything' chips.
As noted on another post, converters also do not play nice. USB to parallel and the like regardless if it is in an external purpose-built box, special cable or a chip built onto a board. FTDI makes converter chips (smoothstepper is an example for this CNC group) and the required drivers can interfere with other USB processes. Certain active FTDI interfaced devices can cause file corruption in USB connected hard drives, for example. The FTDI scheme is a codec of sorts, but most people do not realize this and believe such devices are native USB.
Best rule in interacing mach with anything is, in my experience, keep it old school, keep it simple.