Parallel port problem, but tests OK

My computer runs Linux Mint 21.1 and LinuxCNC 2.9.0
What it says when I start LinuxCNC is 2.9.0~pre0+git20221105.ffb6bda926 if you want details.
I'm using a motherboard parallel port on a Dell Precision T3500.
External BOB C10, set for output, pull-ups, COM=ground.
I have an estop switch connected from pin 10 of the parallel port to ground. The switch is NC. I have verified the voltage does what it should.
In Stepconf I set pin 10 to 'estop in', with the invert box checked.

When I run the parallel tester (halrun -I -f ptest.hal), I get a display of the parallel port status.
Pin 10 is red, when I push the physical estop button, it turns green. This says, I think, the hardware is all working.

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In both gmoccapy and axis, the physical estop button does nothing.
Hit the display on button, it turns from red to green. Hit the physical estop button, nothing happens. Hit the display estop button, the display on button turns from green to red.
If I uncheck the invert box in Stepconf, gmoccapy gives me an error "External ESTOP set, could not change state" when I try to turn it on.
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I am upgrading the computer from my previous Optiplex 360, which is sitting right next to the T3500. I moved the cables--display, mouse, keyboard and parallel. Fired up the 360, running (I think) LinuxCNC 2.7. Started Axis and the physical estop button works as it should.

All I can think is that there is a bug in LinuxCNC 2.9, but I have a hard time believing people had not noticed it by now.
What am I missing?

Thanks, Steve

Is this the right hal file? There were a few.

 

Try this one more time. 

I added an e-stop output and tried both gmoccapy and axis, no change in the results.

I thought that if it was LinuxCNC 2.9 causing the issue, it would be easy to downgrade to 2.8 and find out. That doesn't appear to be possible under Mint 21, "dependency is not satisfiable libboost-python1.67.0

"Mint 21 used Debian...so only 2.9 worked. Now it does not."
I'm in the process of upgrading my computer; the new one has never actually moved my router as the G540 is in for repair. All I'm able to do at present is Stepconf and mess with the parallel wiring.

Will my setup work, given "now it does not" (ignoring my parallel port problem)?

Good suggestion for trying 2.8 in the meantime.