adding a button to a parallel port LCD?

[riffraff]

having read a few posts about buttons i thought i can but ask this

I have a 4x20 LCD on a parallel port can a button be added to this to be programed to show next screen?
if so that wiring should be added?

the reason is simple, i use a screen to tell when email is waiting and is set to sticky but skip if no new email and think a button on case to act like a reset to say i have cleared the email, and the go to next screen owuld be the logic way ( as thats what i do at the moment) but would rather not have to open program from tray, hit next screen, then minimise.

[limbo]

If you 're using a PC and not a HTPC you can use also global hotkeys for this.

For external buttons use this link http://forums.lcdsmartie.org/viewtopic.php?t=876&

[riffraff]

if i read the schematic right just linking a button onto pin 11 and the ground rail will do it, am i correct with that?

[mattcro]

You'll probably get it to work by simply wiring a switch between an input pin (10-13) and ground (any of pins 18-25).

If that doesn't work, you might need to add a pull-up resistor of a few kiloohms (try 10K ohms) between the input pin and +5V, as shown further down the post limbo linked to.

[riffraff]

having already made the lcd connection below MINUS the red boxed section i was just about to start the slodering when i go your post.

same pic as mentioned in the post but reduected down to 1 switch

the red box shows a link between pin 11, switch then to the NEG (black) PSU/ Molex connector which is also connected to pins 18-25, or am i reading that wrong,

[mattcro]

You're reading the diagram right. My post wasn't clear because I'd missed half the sentence I was intending to write... I've edited it now.

If you can't get that to work reliably, you may need to add the pullup resistor I mentioned.

[riffraff]

cheers for that will add the button as soon as i can