In the past I have been able to simply read the physical pinouts on the:
Games Port (DB15) (using PEEKS and POKES)
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
Parallel Port (DB25) (also using PEEK and POKES(888))
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .
a Serial Port (DB9) (Open Com, react when port state changes. I.E. RTS/CTS/DTR/DSR)
. . . . .
. . . .
and also the mic (Jack-plug) (Read audio threshold)
(o)
Through these ports I have been able to connect simple press-button triggers (or switches) and programatically "read" them. i.e. tell when they are open or closed, grounded to earth or not.
With modern PCs I am now somewhat limited. I can still use the MIC port and USB port (when connected to a USB/Serial cable) but since WiFi, my ethernet port is now "available".
|||||||| (8 pins).
If you've read this far, you already know my question. How can I "read" the ethernet port pins. I realize that perhaps not all the pins may be simply read, but perhaps one or two at least.
I don't think it's been done before and I am hopeful someone might have a clue.