Need help with LPT Port Programing

[gabylahoud]

Hi all,
I am new in programing. I am using MS Visual Basic .Net. After alot of serching and alot of googeling I landed here. I connect LCD to LPT Port and used LCD smartie and it is a grate program. i am trying to use the LPT port to activate relays and read the status of my hardware (Note I will activate Darlington Arrays and it will activate them relays so i wont damage my LPT port). I am using win XP and I know about the limitation.
OK you may be able to help me with this:
this is the LPT port pin out
1- output
2- output
3- output
4- output
5- output
6- output
7- output
8- output
9- output
10- input
11- input
12- input
13- input
14- output
15- input
16- output
17- output
18-25 GND

total of 12 outputs and 5 inputs.
my question how can I write to the port to activate for ex. the outputs on pin 2,4,9 and 17 to go high and how can I read the inputs status?
I am not talking about LCD here I think if I figure this out it will help me with my project. if I connect other hardware to the LPT Port how can I read and write to it? any input will help me out.
Thanks