8bitfiles.net/archives/archives.tar/archives/genie-commodore-file-library/Information/1541CONFERENCE

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     ╘HIS IS AN EDITED, ORGANIZED RECORDOF THE 1541 ─ISK ─RIVE ├ONFERENCE OF
═ARCH, 1989.  ╘HE DISCUSSION WANDERED INTO OTHER HARDWARE AREAS, INCLUDING
ADDRESSING CARTRIDGES AND THE CONTINUING SAGA OF PRINTERS THAT DON'T QUITE.

     ╧UR HARDWARE HOSTS ARE ─IGITAL.─OC AND ╙.╨ROCTOR1.

     ╘HE CONFERENCE OPENED WITH A QUESTION ABOUT THE VARIOUS MANUFACTURERS OF
THE DRIVE MECHANISM USED IN THE 1541 AT VARIOUS TIMES AND THEIR REPUTATIONS FOR
QUALITY.

<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╘HE ╬EUTRONICS WAS THE LATER ONE, RIGHT?
<[┬ILL] ├128.├╨═> ╘HE 1/4 TURN HANDLE, ╔ THINK.  ┘ES.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╘HAT'S WHAT ╔ THOUGHT.  ╘HE ╬EUTRONICS SO FAR HAS THE BETTER
REPUTATION FOR RELIABILITY.  ╘HE EARLIER MODEL HAS SOME SERIOUS MECHANICAL
DEFICIENCIES.
<[╘ED, ╙YSOP] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ╚OW DOES ONE TELL WHICH PERIOD PIECE ONE HAS?
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ═OSTLY BY THE HANDLE
<[╘ED, ╙YSOP] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ╚ANDLE?
<[┬ILL] ├128.├╨═> ╙O IN FACT, MY OLD '41 WITH THE LATCH MECH. ISN'T A REAL
BARGAIN <SIGH>.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╔F YOU HAVE THE 1/4 TURN TYPE, YOU HAVE THE ╬EUTRONICS.  ┬ILL, IT
CAN BE OK, BUT IT TAKES A LITTLE MORE CARE.
<┴.╥╔╠┼┘> ╔ THINK THE PUSH DOWN IS BEST, 4 OF 'EM WITH NO PROBLEM, 2 RETURNED
1/4 TURNS AND A 128─ 1/4 WITH NO LUCK,
<┴.╥╔╠┼┘> ╘HE ├INEMAWARE ╫┴╥╨ ╙PEED ├ARTDRIDGE WON'T ALLOW DIRECT DISK ACCESS
COMMANDS, CAN ╔ KILL IT AND RE-ENABLE IT?  (╫ARP ╙PEED)
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╔ WOULD THINK SO ┴╥, BUT ╔ HAVEN'T REALLY HAD EXPERIENCE WITH
THAT CART.  ═OST OF THE CARTS THAT AFFECT THE DISK ALLOW FOR A SYS COMMAND TO
ENABLE/DISABLE.
<[╘ED, ╙YSOP] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ╔ TAKE IT THAT THE DOCS DON'T SAY ANYTHING ON THE
SUBJECT.  ╞ASTLOAD  & ╙TARDOS & ╩IFFYDOS ALL HAVE A METHOD TO DISALBE, BUT IT'S
NOT ALWAYS IN THE MOST ACCESSIBLE PLACE IN THE DOCS.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╫ELL, ┴╥, ╔ HAVE THE PUSH DOWN TYPE MYSELF AND IT'S SOMETHING
LIKE 5 YEARS OLD.
<┴.╥╔╠┼┘> ╔ HAVE THE ╞INAL ├ARTRIDGE AND THE ╞AST LOAD, ╬O PROBLEMS WITH DIRECT
ACCESS.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╔ USE THE ╞ASTLOAD, AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS AT ALL.  ┼SPECIALLY
WITH THE OLD (WHITE CASE) TYPE ╥╧═╙.
<[┬ILL] ├128.├╨═> ┴.╥. ╔ DON'T HAVE A ╫ARP ├ART, SO ╔ CAN'T HELP YA OUT, THERE.
<[╘ED, ╙YSOP] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ╚MM.  ╔ DON'T HAVE THE ╫ARP CARTRIDGE EITHER, BUT ╔
HAVE AN ACQUAINTANCE THAT RUNS A ┬┬╙ WHO DOES.  ╚E MIGHT KNOW ╔╞ ╔ CAN GET ON.
╓ERY POPULAR BOARD.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ┬ILL, THE PUSH DOWN TYPE CAN BE REALIGNED USING A PROG AND A
LITTLE MECH WORK.  ┴LIGNMENT/SPEED IS IT'S WORST PROBLEM.
<[┬ILL] ├128.├╨═> ╔'VE RE-ALIGNED MINE ONLY TWICE.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╫HAT DID YOU USE?
<┴.╥╔╠┼┘> ─IGITAL.─OC, ╙PIRIT ╙OFTWARE COVERS SPEED ALSO.
<[┬ILL] ├128.├╨═> ╔ USED THE 41 ╨HYSICAL ┼XAM, AND IT WAS PERFECT, AFTEER THAT.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╙PEED IS AS CRITICAL AS ALIGNMENT
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ┬OTH OF THOSE SEEM TO BE GOOD PROGS
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╔ USE A PROG ╔ FOUND IN ├OMPUTE ╟AZETTE
<[┬ILL] ├128.├╨═> ┴NY GOOD, ─OC?
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╔ LIKE IT.  ╔T HAS A LOT OF FEATURES THAT HELP DIAGNOSE PROBS
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╞OR INSTANCE....
<┴.╥╔╠┼┘> ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔, ╔ LIKE THE ═ONITOR IN THAT CARTRIDGE. (╫ARP ╙PEED). ELSE
╔'D TOSS IT, BUT TO SHUT DOWN A SWAP CART'S EACH TIME...─O YOU KNOW A GOOD
EXPANDER...?
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╙HOW WHAT TRACK IS REALLY BEING READ VICE WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE.
┴LSO INCLUDES BETWEEN TRACK READABILITY AND OF COURSE SPEED, ETC.  ╨LUS IT CAN
BE STOPPED AND RESTARTED OR LEFT FUNING CONTINUOUSLY.
<[┬ILL] ├128.├╨═> ┴.╥. ┘OU MEAN A CARTRIDGE EXPANDER TO SHUT THE CARTRIDGE OFF
AND ON?
<┴.╥╔╠┼┘> ┘ES, ┬ILL, ╫ITHOUT POWERING OFF THE 128.
<[╘ED, ╙YSOP] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ╚MM.  ╔ DON'T KNOW THAT IT WOULD BE A HOT IDEA NOT TO
POWER OFF.  ╘HE EXPANDER WOULD SAVE WEAR & TEAR ON THE CARTRIDGE PORT, THO.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╙HOULDN'T HURT IT TO SHUT IT OFF WITH THE EXPANDER.  ╘HE MAIN
PROBLEM  COMES WITH SPIKES ON THE LINE FROM PULLING THE CART W/POWER ON.
<┴.╥╔╠┼┘> ┬UT THERE MUST BE AN ADDRESS TO PEEK TO FIND IF THE CARTRIDGE HAS
CHANGED (FROM THE (CBM64) DAYS.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ┬EATS ME, SOMEBODY ELSE?   (NOT 128 USER)   :)
<[╘ED, ╙YSOP] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ╔'M NOT A 128 USER, EITHER.
<[┬ILL] ├128.├╨═> ╫ELL, LET ME LOOK FOR MY ┴PROSPAND BOOK.
<┴.╥╔╠┼┘> ╔T USED TO BE AT ADDRESS 32768....
<[╘ED, ╙YSOP] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> HMMM.  ╔ WONDER IF IT'S IN THE ├OMPLETE ├OMMODORE
╔NNER ╙PACE ┴NTHOLOGY???  ╠OOKING.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╧╚, ╧╚!  ╘ED'S ON A DATA HUNT AGAIN!
<[╘ED, ╙YSOP] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ┴GAIN?  ╫HAT YOU MEAN, ─OC?  ┴╠╫┴┘╙ ON A DATA HUNT.
<┴.╥╔╠┼┘> ─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├, ╔F ONLY HE COULD GIVE ME TO NAMES OF THE ─ATA-╚UNT
PUBS...
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╚┼╚┼╚┼
<[╘ED, ╙YSOP] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ╒H, ╔ HATE TO DISILLUSION YOU, ┴.╥., BUT ╔ HUNT MY
DATA IN THE ╠ADY'S ╠OCKER ╥OOM.
<[┬ILL] ├128.├╨═> ╫ELL, ONE BOOK IS SCRATCHED.....STILL LOOKING, THOUGH..╧╦,
THE POKE AND PEEK FOR DETECTING THE CARTRIDGE ELUDES ME, AT THE MOMENT.
<[╘ED, ╙YSOP] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ╬O DICE.  ─OESN'T COVER THE 128!  ╫ONDER IF THEY HAVE
A NEW EDITION OUT.
<[FYR] ┴.╥╔╠┼┘> ╘HANKS, ┬ILL, MAYBE IT'LL COME UP FROM SOMEWHERE.
<[╘ED, ╙YSOP] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ╘RY POSTING THE PROBLEM ON THE ┬ULLETIN ┬OARD.  ╔T
MIGHT DRAW SOMETHING THERE.
<[┬ILL] ├128.├╨═> ┬ARB, DO YOU KNOW THE PEEK AND POKE FOR DETECTING A
CARTRIDGE?
<[╘ED, ╙YSOP] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ╙AY, ╞YR, YOU WOULDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT PROGRAMMING
WITH REGARD TO THE ╞ASTLOAD CARTRIDGE?  ╙OMEONE ON THE ┬OARD IS LOOKING FOR
HELP ON THAT.
<[┬ARB.  ╚I TO] ╨╥┼╙╙10> ╔F A CARTRIDGE IS PRESENT, IT SHOULD SHOW AT $8000
<[FYR] ┴.╥╔╠┼┘> ┘ES, ┬UT THAT ═ONITOR IS THE PITS.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╔ WAS TRYING TO FIND MY DOCS ON THAT
<[┬ILL] ├128.├╨═> ╫OW, ╔ ASKED THE RIGHT PERSON!!
<[┬ARB.  ╚I TO] ╨╥┼╙╙10> ┘OU'D LOOK FOR THE INITIALS, "├┬═" IN BOTH THE ├128
AND THE ├64 TO IDENTIFY A CARTRIDGE.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╘HERE'S A SYS TO SHUT DOWN THE CART.
<[┬ARB.  ╚I TO] ╨╥┼╙╙10> ╫HICH CART ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?
<[╘ED, ╙YSOP] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ╫┴╥╨.
<[FYR] ┴.╥╔╠┼┘> ╘ED, ╙MON.
<[╘ED, ╙YSOP] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ╬EVER TRIED TO USE IT, MYSELF.  ╘HAT BAD, HUH?  ╔
THINK THE SOUL WAS TRYING TO TURN IT OFF & ON, BUT MY MEMORY IS NOT PERFECT.
┴S ╔ RECALL, THE SYS COMMANDS IN THE INSTRUCTIONS MAY NOT BE CORRECT.
<[FYR] ┴.╥╔╠┼┘> ╘YPE "!"  ,NOT THE PARENTHESIS, JUST ┼XCLAMATION MARKS.
<[┬ARB] ╨╥┼╙╙10> ╘HE ID FOR A ├64 CART STARTS AT 32772. ╠OOK FOR 195,194
<[┬ARB.  ╚I TO] ╨╥┼╙╙10> Y
<[FYR] ┴.╥╔╠┼┘> 195,194,205,56,48  ARE THE VALUES EXPECTED.
<[┬ILL] ├128.├╨═> ┬╘╫, ┬ARB IS FROM THE ╤UICK ┬ROWN ┬OX, THE BATTERY BACKED RAM
CARTRIDGE.
<[┬ILL] ├128.├╨═> ╫ELCOME, ┬ARB.  ┬ARB WILL BE IN CONFERENCE THIS ╫ED. NIGHT.
<[BARB] ╨╥┼╙╙10> ─ON'T JUDGE THE CARTRIDGE BY THE TYPIST.  ╘HIS STUFF IS HARDER
THAN ╔ THOUGHT.
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╔ FORGOT ABOUT THE CONF, BEEN WORKING HARD ON MY ┬┬╙
SOFTWARE, AND NOTICED THE TIME.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╙HAME, ╙HAME!  :)
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╔TS BEEN GOING VERY WELL THE PAST FEW DAYS, A FEW MORE
PROBLEMS AND ╔ MAY BE RUNNING IT.  ╔TS UNIQUE AND FAST.  ╧NLY PROBLEM, IT CAME
FROM ═AINFRAME AND ╔ HAVEN'T FOUND THE COMMAND SET.  ╔T DOES SEEM TO WORK,
THOUGH
<[┬ILL] ├128.├╨═> ╚AS ANYONE USED THE QUIET STOP FOR THE 41 HEAD RATTLES??
<[╘ED] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ╔ HAD ONE INSTALLED, ┬ILL.  ╔T'S OK.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╚AVEN'T TRIED IT MYSELF.
<[BARB] ╨╥┼╙╙10> ╙INCE THE SUBJECT IS 1541, HAS ANYONE TRIED ╩IFFYDOS?  ╧N THE
1571 IT'S GREAT.
<[╘ED] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ╔ TRIED ╩IFFYDOS ON 1541 & BRIEFLY ON 1581.
<[FYR] ┴.╥╔╠┼┘> YES. BUT ARE YOU REALLY SURE YOU ARE THERE(TRK).
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╫HAT DID YOU THINK OF IT ╘ED?
<[╘ED] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ╔TS FINE ON THE 1541.  ╫ORKS WITH MOST STUFF.  1581 IT SPEEDS
THINGS UP ┬╒╘ IT ╞┼╒─╙ WITH ┬╧╘╚ MAJOR UTILITIES FOR THE 1581: ╙UPER 81 AND
╘OOLKIT 1581.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╚OW INCONVENIENT!
<[╘ED] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ╔F YOU WANT THE UTILITIES, YOU NEED TWO 1581S.  ╧NE TO USE
WITH THEM & ONE TO USE WITH ╩IFFY. ╬O FANCY MONITORS BUILT IN OR SAVE THE
SCREEN UTILITIES LIKE SOME CARTRIDGES.
<[┬ILL] ├128.├╨═> ╔ HAVE ╩IFFY ON MY '41 AND ITS GREAT!
<[BARB] ╨╥┼╙╙10> ╔ WOULDN'T THINK CONFLICT WITH SOFTWARE A PROBLEM..YOU CAN
TURN IT OFF EASILY.
<[╘ED, ╙YSOP] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ╘HAT WORKS FOR MOST THINGS, BUT NOT FOR THE 1581.  ╔
TRIED.  ╔T DIDN'T WORK WITH THE ╘OOLKIT 1581, ┬ARB.
<[┬ILL] ├128.├╨═> ON THE 41, ─OC?   ╫ITH THE SWITCHES, IT TURNS OFF COMPLETELY!
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╘HAT COULD WORK REAL WELL!
<[┬ILL] ├128.├╨═> ╔ AGREE WITH ╘ED ON THE '81 WITH THE ╩IFFY.  ╬O LARGE SPEED
INCREASE.
<[╘ED, ╙YSOP] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ╔ CAN'T FIND MY SPEED FIGURES FOR THE 1541,  ╔TS HERE
SOMEWHERE. <GLARING AT TAX FORMS & OTHER MESS.>  ╧NE ODD THING ABOUT THE ╩IFF.
├ERTAIN SAVES BY ╩IFFY OR WITH OTHER CARTRDIGES SAY ╞/╠ OR SOME OF THE QUICK
FILE COPIERS MAY RESULT IN ╙╠╧╫┼╥ LOADS,NOT AS SLOWER THAN NAKED 1541, BUT
SLOWER THAN THOSE FILES LOADED AGAIN BY THEIR NATIVE SAVING CARTRIDGE OR WHAT
HAVE YOU.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ─ON'T REMIND ME, ╘ED!
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1>  ╫ILL ╩IFFY INTERFERE WITH THE MODEM?
<[╘ED] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ╩IFFY IS A CHIP, DOESN'T INTERFERE WITH MODEMS & HASN'T
FOUGHT WITH ANY TERM SOFTWARE TO SPEAK OF.
<╟┴┘╠┼.┴> <CAN ╔ ASK A QUESTION ABOUT HTE '81?>
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╟O AHEAD ╟AYLE, MIGHT NOT HAVE THE ANSWER THO.
<╟┴┘╠┼.┴> IS THERE A WAY TO CHANGE THE DATA STORED IN THE DISK VERSION NUMBER
IN THE DIR?
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ─ISK DOCTOR PROG WON'T DO IT?
<╟┴┘╠┼.┴> AHAHAHAHAHAHA.... YOU'RE ASKING A NON-HARDWARE TYPE PERSON... SHOULD
A ├128 DISK DOC DO IT?
<[┬ILL] ├128.├╨═> ╬OT SURE, ╟AYLE.
<╟┴┘╠┼.┴> ╔ KNOW YOU CAN DO IT ON THE 1541... ╔'VE DONE THAT...USING A SIMPLE
PROGRAM, WHICH ╔ CAN'T FIND TO SAVE MYLIFE.
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╔ CHECKED ON ─OLPHIN ─╧╙, AND IR WON'T WORK IN CONJUNCTION
WITH A MODEM, ╔ WROTE THE COMPANY IN ╙OUTH ┴USTRALIA.  ╔F IT WEREN'T FOR THAT,
╔ WOULD HAVE BOUGHT IT. ─OES ╩IFFY USE THE USER-PORT?
<[╘ED] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ╩IFFY WILL WORK WITH A MODEM.  ╥APIDOS WON'T.  ╩IFFY IS AN
INSTALL A CHIP IN THE DRIVES & COMPUTER TO BE ACCELLERATED SYSTEM.  ╔T DOESN'T
OCCUPY THE USERPORT.
<[FYR] ┴.╥╔╠┼┘> ╚OW MANY STEPS OUT, WITHOUT ASCERTAINING THE PRESENT POSITION,
WILL DO?
<[BARB] ╨╥┼╙╙10> ╟AYLE, DO YOU MEAN CHANGE THE ID NUMBER ON THE DISK DIRECTORY?
<╟┴┘╠┼.┴> ┬ARB, YEAH, THAT ┴╬─ THE DOS VERSION NUMBER STORED IN THE NEXT 2
FIELDS
<╟┴┘╠┼.┴> LIKE ITS STORED  "─╔╙╦ ╬┴═┼" ╔─ 3─  ON A '81
<[BARB] ╨╥┼╙╙10> ╘HERE ARE TERRIFIC DISK DOCTORS FOR THE 128.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ┬ETTER WATCH OUT ON CHANGING THE ─╧╙ VERSION NUMBER...
<╟┴┘╠┼.┴> GUESS ╔'LL GO PLAY BY TRIAL AND ERROR
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╔ USE ─UP AS A DISK DOCTOR, IT OUTPUTS IN A ═ONITOR
FORMAT, WHICH HELPS ME.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╧N THE '41 THAT CAN MAKE THE WHOLE DISK UNWRITABLE
<╟┴┘╠┼.┴> DONT CARE TO WRITE TO THE DISK ONCE ╔ DO IT...
<[BARB] ╨╥┼╙╙10> ╔ SUSPECT THAT YOU WONT BE ABLE TO DO MORE THAN A COSMETIC
CHANGE.
<╟┴┘╠┼.┴> WELP, ╔'M GONNA TRY!  ╘HANKS, AND GOODNIGHT!
<[BARB] ╨╥┼╙╙10> ╘HE ID IS USED THROUGHOUT THE DISK IN THE HEADER BLOCKS AND
REMAINS UNTIL YOU REFORMAT THE DISK.
<[FYR] ┴.╥╔╠┼┘> ╟AYLE, ╧N ┘OUR ─RIVE, THAT ╫OULD BE ╘HRILL AND ╘ERROR, ╬OT
TRIAL AND ERROR.
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ─OES ╩IFFY SUPPORT 40 TRKS?
<[╘ED, ╙YSOP] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ╬O IT DOESN'T.  ╔ THINK YOU'RE THINKING OF THE HIGH
END VERSION OF THE ╥APIDOS SYSTEM.
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ─OLPHIN DOES.  ╔T HAS A LOT OF FEATURES ABOUT IT ╔ LIKED,
JUST HAVEN'T FOUND 1 YET WHICH ╔ LIKED. ╩IFFY DOES SOUND GOOD, THOUGH.
<[BARB] ╨╥┼╙╙10> ╙TEVE, WHICH DOCTOR OUTPUTS A MONITOR FORMAT.  ╔ MISSED THAT?
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╘HE DOCTOR IS CALLED ─UP, ITS VERY SIMPLE MONITOR, YOU
CHANGE IT LIKE CHANGING MEMORY, BUT YOU CAN USE ┴╙├╔╔ ═╧─┼, & TYPE TEXT TO THE
SECTOR.
<[BARB] ╨╥┼╙╙10> ╘HANKS ╙TEVE.  ╔F YOU LIKE A NEAT MONITOR, YOU MIGHT WANT TO
TRY THE ON THAT GOES WITH ╩IFFY.  ╔T READS AND WRITES DISK BLOCKS ALONG WITH
EVERYTHING ELSE.
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1>  ╔ USE ╚ESMON, AND HAVEN'T FOUND ANY EQUAL IN ╨─, THAT
ACTUALLY WORKS AND EVEN MANY COMMERCIAL.╔ LIKE USING THE ├╥╙╥ TO SCROLL MEMORY
OUTPUT AND DISSASSEMBLIES AND THE ╫┴╠╦ FEATURE BUT WON'T OPERATE UNDER ╥╧═.
╘HE PROBLEM, MY ┬┬╙ USES 3╦ ═╠ FILE UNDER ┬ASIC.  ╔ HAVE TO RE-ASSEMBLE IT IN
FREE ╥AM TO TEST IT OR ╫ALK THE CODE.  ╔ DON'T WORRY ABOUT ╨╙ ANY MORE, RUNNING
A 3┴ SUPPLY, ╔ ADDED LOTS OF EXTRA GOODIES AND HAVE MORE IN PLANNING WHICH 7.5
WATT ╨╙'S MAY NOT LIKE.
<┴.╦.╤╒╔╬╬> ┬ILL:STILL WORKING ON BAD PRINTER: TRIED THE LITHIUM: NO GO.
<[┬ILL] ├128.├╨═> ╟ADS, THEN THE HEAD MIGHT BE DAMAGED!
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╫HAT'S WRONG W/THE PRINTER ┴╦?
<┴.╦.╤╒╔╬╬> ╔ SUSPECT POWER SUPPLY ELECTROLYTIC LEAKING.╫ILL GO IN AND SEE...
TOMORROW!
<┴.╦.╤╒╔╬╬> ─╧├: ╚AVE A HEAD SEEKING BACK AND FORTH FOR 2 MINS BEFORE SETTLING.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╒NGOOD!
<[┬ILL] ├128.├╨═> ╔S IT STILL SLURRING, ┴╦?
<[╘ED] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ╫HAT KIND OF PRINTER?
<[FYR] ┴.╥╔╠┼┘> ╟OING BACK TO THE ┬╒═╨, WHICH VALUE GUARANTEES TRACK 1?
<┴.╦.╤╒╔╬╬> ─O YOU THINK CHIP, ─OC?: STAR 10X  TYPE.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ─OES IT EVENTUALLY SETTLE AND THEN WORK RIGHT ┴╦?
<┴.╦.╤╒╔╬╬> ┘ES, BUT TAKES LONGER EACH TIME.
<┴.╦.╤╒╔╬╬> ─OC: FOUND ONE ELECTRO QUITE WARM...
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ┴╦, MIGHT BE A CHIP, BUT THAT'S NOT MY FIRST CHOICE
<┴.╦.╤╒╔╬╬> FOUND ONE ELECTROLYTIC QUITE WARM...
<┴.╦.╤╒╔╬╬> ╔ MIGHT JUST PUT IN A NEW ONE.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╔'D ALSO LOOK FOR ANOTHER PROBLEM. ╥UMAGING MADLY FOR SOME DOCS.
<[╘ED] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ─OC ON A ─ATA ╚UNT ┴GAIN!
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╟RIN!
<[FYR] ┴.╥╔╠┼┘> (USUALLY THE HEAD OF THE PRINTER SNAPS OUT EASILY WITH TWO
TOGGLE LATCHES. ╔F IT DOES, CONSIDER WD40 OR CARBURETOR CLEANER.
<┴.╦.╤╒╔╬╬> ╫HEN ╔ DISTURB THE CIRCUIT IN ANY WAY: DIFFERENT OUTLET, ETC,
PRINTER OFTEN SETTLES DOWN. ╙O ╔ THINK POWER SUPPLY.
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╔ USED ╫─-40 TO EXTEND A PRINTER RIBBON'S LIFE, IT
RE-DISTRIBUTES THE INK, WHEN ╔'M TOO CHEEP TO BY A NEW ONE.
<[╘ED, ╙YSOP] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ┬UT WHAT DOES IT DO TO THE STAYING POWER OF THE INK???
<[FYR] ┴.╥╔╠┼┘> ╔T ALSO EXTENDS THE LIFE OF THE PINS IN THE HEAD.
<┴.╦.╤╒╔╬╬> ╥ILEY: DID THAT WD 40: NO GO.

<[FYR] ┴.╥╔╠┼┘> ╘HEN GO FOR CARBUERATOR CLEANER, FOLLOWED BY ╫─40.
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╔T WORKS WELL, AFTER ABOUT 10-15 PAGES, THOUGH, IT DIES TO
THE PREVIOUS CONDITION OR WORSE.
<┴.╦.╤╒╔╬╬> (╫HY NOT A SIMPLE LITTLE RADAR PROBLEM??)
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ┴╦, IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THE HEAD MOVEMENT MECH IS OUT OF
ALIGNMENT?
<┴.╦.╤╒╔╬╬> ╥ADAR WAS EASIER... WHEN ╔ WAS YOUNGER!!
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ═Y PRINTEAD HAMMARS DON'T LINE UP, ╔ THINK MY GUIDES ARE
WORN.
<[BARB] ╨╥┼╙╙10> ╔ FIND MY PRINTER HEAD BOUNCING AROUND WHEN ╔'M USING WRONG
COMMANDS...╔T TRIES TO DO GRAPHICS.
<┴.╦.╤╒╔╬╬> ╙EEM SOME INTERFACES HAVE THE GRAPHIC PROBLEM, ┬ARB.
<┴.╦.╤╒╔╬╬> ─OC: ─ON'T THINK SO, HOW WOULD THAT SHOW?
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╧N POWER UP, THE PRINTER TRIES A MASTER CLEAR, AND TRIES TO SYNC
HEAD POSITION..
<[FYR] ┴.╥╔╠┼┘> ╙TEVE, ╒SE THE STANDBY MODE (TO ALLOW A COOL DOWN), THEN SAVE
THE PENNIES TO REPLACE.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╔F THE HEAD MECH HAS MOVED A LITTLE BIT, IT HITS THE STOP AND
WON'T SYNC.  ═OST PRINTERS WILL TRY A CERTAIN NUMBER OF TIMES, THEN GIVE UP
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╘HAT DOESN'T WORK, ITS ONLY 4 1/2 YRS OLD, WITH HEAVY USE.
╔ ADDED UP ALL MY RIBBONS AND CAME UP WITH LIKE 50 MILL CHARACTERS BASED ON
THE RIBBON LIFE.
<┴.╦.╤╒╔╬╬> ─OC: ╙UPPOSE ╔ PUT SCOPE ON POWER SUPPLY AND TURN ON PRINTER. ═AKE
SENCE?
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ┘ES, ┴╦, ╙ET IT FOR AC COUPLING AND LOOK FOR RIPPLE
<┴.╦.╤╒╔╬╬> ─OC: ╫ON'T HOLD YOU. ╫ILL LET YOU KNOW OUTCOME...
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╔ DON'T KNOW WHEN THE MANFCTR CONSIDERS A RIBBON WORN OUT.
┬UT MINE ARE 2 ═ILLION.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╧╦ ┴K
<┴.╦.╤╒╔╬╬> ╥IPPLE WILL DO IT.
<[FYR] ┴.╥╔╠┼┘> ┴. ╦. "┴S LONG AS YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THE SUPPLY WILL NOT
MAINTAIN ITS RATED VOLTAGE AS THE PRINTER PRINTS.
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╥IPPLE IN A LOGIC CIRCUIT, NEAT.  ╔ HAD IT IN AN ┴MP ONCE.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╬OTHING LIKE IT FOR WEIRD PROBS
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╟UESS US TECHIES ARE A SMALL GROUP! :)
<[╘ED, ╙YSOP] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> WELL, THE SMALL GROUP HAS BEEN MOST ACTIVE TONIGHT!
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╫E TRY!  <╟RIN>
<[╘ED, ╙YSOP] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ┴ RIPPLE?  ╙OUNDS LIKE BATHWATER.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╫ORKS AS WELL ON TRON GEAR, TOO!
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╔T DID OSCILLATE AT 60╚Z SLIGHTLY, BUT IT HAD A PROB WITH
HIGHER FREQS, LIKE TOO MUCH FEEDBACK.
<[FYR] ┴.╥╔╠┼┘> ╙TEVE, ╘HERE SHOULD NOT BE A MAJOR DEVIATION ON THE +5, BUT THE
36 OR 40 VOLT SUPPLY WILL NOT HOLD ON AN EVEN RATING.  (BY A LONG SHOT)
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╔'M HAVING NO PRINT PROBS, BUT THE DOTS WON'T LINE UP ON A
PAGE, LIKE ╘ OR ╠'S LOOK LIKE THE OCEAN WAVES SIDEWAYS.
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╔TS GETTING LESS AND LESS READABLE, AS ╔ USE IT.  ╔ HAVE A
HABIT OF PUSHING 10-15 PAGES AT A SHOT, WITH A LONG IDLE TIME.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╙TEVE, THERE SHOULD (HOPEFULLY BE A TIMING ADJUSTMENT FOR THAT.
╙TEVE, HOW MANY PINS OUT OF ALIGNMENT?
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╔TS IN 1 LETTER, HOW CAN THIS BE LINED UP?  ╔ UNDERSTAND
IF FROM 2 ADJACENT TOP/BOTTOM LETTERS.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╩UST AN OCCASIONAL PROB?
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╘HEY ALL SEEM TO BE, ONE MAY BE SLIGHTLY LEFT, THE NEXT
LOWER, SLIGHTLY RIGHT, LEFT, THEN RIGHT.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╘HE WHOLE LETTER OR JUST ONE OR TWO DOTS?
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╔T'S BEEN CONSISTANT, NO IMPROVEMENT, BUT A SLIGHT
WORSENING OVER TIME, IT WENT FROM GOOD TO BAD VERY QUICKLY, AND SLOWLY
WORSENED.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╠ET ME BE SURE WE'RE TALKING ON THE SAME WAVELENGTH... DOT MATRIX
OR DAISY?
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╔TS THE WHOLE LETTER.  ╔ SEND 15 PAGES OF 17.1├╨╔, IN
NORMAL MODE, AND ITS STILL LEGIBLE, IF THAT SAYS ANYTHING, BUT, THEY DON'T
SMOOTH ANYMORE.  ╬╠╤ 10├╨╔ IS EVEN ROSE.  ╔T'S DOT MATRIX.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╨RINT HEAD MOVEMENT MECH IS STICKING.
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╔ THOUGHT THE HEAD HAD 9 PINS IN A STRAIGHT VERTICAL LINE.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ┘ES, BUT IF THE HEAD STICKS SLIGHTLY, THE CHARACTER IS PRINTED
OUT OF POSITION.
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╘HE LETTERS WHICH HAVE LONG STRAIGHT STEMS LIKE ╘, ╠, ╩,
LOOK WAVY.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╧╚ ╧K
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╘HEN ╔ WAS RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.  ┼ACH PIN IS FIRED THROUGH AN
INDIVIDUAL TIMING CIRCUIT TO MAKE UP FOR COMPONENT DIFFERENCES.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ┬ACK TO THE BOOKS...LOOKING
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╔TS HARD TO SAY WHAT DOT, SINCE DRAFT MODE FILLS IN THE
SPACES VERY WELL, AND ╬╠╤ LOOKS BETTER THAN MANY 24 PIN PRINTERS. ╔'M BEGINNING
TO THINK SOME 24 PIN SYSTEMS USE 9 PIN PORTED-OVER CHR SETS.
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╔ NOTICED THE CHANGE, DURING THE MONTH ╔ HAD MAJOR
PROBLEMS WITH MY ═╠, ╔ SENT 15 PAGES MANY TIMES A DAY, TO THE PRINTER, USED A
BOX OF 1000 SHEETS UP IN A MONTH AND A HALF.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╫ELL, IT SOUNDS LIKE A PRINT HEAD OR ADJUSTMENT PROBLEM.  ╔ WAS
JUST LOOKING AT MY EPSON MANUAL AND THERE IS ONLY ONE ADJUSTMENT FOR HEAD
TIMING.  ╘HAT MEANS THAT THE HEAD ITSELF HAS TO BE PRETTY CLOSE SPECS.  ┘OU SAY
YOU'VE BEEN USING ╫─-40 ON THE RIBBONS?
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╔'VE ONLY USED THAT A FEW TIMES, WHEN ╔ NEED TO USE THE
RIBBON, AND DON'T HAVE THE $10 JUST LYING AROUND.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ─ID THE PROBLEM START BEFORE OR AFTER THE FIRST TIME YOU TRIED
IT?
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╔T HAPPENED LONG AFTER, ╔ REMEMBER USING IT LAST ABOUT 2
YRS AGO.  ╔ WALKED INTO ╘ARGET ONE DAY, & LOOKED ON THEIR BARGAIN TABLE, THEY
HAD 4 NEW ╧KI RIBBONS MARKED $3, SO ╔ GOT THEM ALL, STILL HAVE 2 LEFT.  ╧╦╔ ARE
GOOD RIBBONS, THEY LAST 3-6 MO'S OR MORE, THE WAY ╔ USE IT.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╧NE PROBLEM WITH ╫─-40.  ╔T DRIES LEAVING A SILICON COATING. ╬OW,
IF IT MANAGED TO DRAG SOME INK INTO THE PRINT HEAD (SEEPAGE), THE CARBON
PARTICLES IN THE INK, COUPLED WITH THE SILICONE COATING MIGHT BE JAMMING EVERY-
THING.
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╔ CALLED ╧KI AND  THEY SAID THE PRINTHEAD WAS BAD.  ╔
DIDN'T BELIEVE THEM SO ╔ RAN AN OUTPUT BY ONE OF OUR CLONE DEALERS, AND HE
SAID THE PRINT-GUIDES WERE WORN, AND THE HAMMERS ARE MISSALIGNED, BUT FIRING.
╔ GOT GOOD OUTPUT OTHER THAN WAVY TEXT.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╫ELL, THE WAVY TEXT IS A GOOD SIGN THE PINS ARE HAVING TROUBLE.
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ├AN IT BE CLEANED?
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ┘OU MIGHT TRY TYPEWRITER CLEANER.  ╔T DISSOLVES THE INK.  ┘OU'D
REALLY HAVE TO FLUSH IT THOUGH.  ╔T COULD BE CLOGGED BACK WHERE YOU CAN'T SEE
IT.  ╔F THAT DOESN'T WORK, ╔'M AFRAID YOU'RE STUCK WITH REPLACING THE PRINTHEAD
<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╔ REMOVED THE HEAD AFTER THIS HAPPENED, AND THE PINS
APPEARED SHINY CLEAN, ╔ WAS HOPING FOR A PAPER FIBER OR DIRT.  ╘HE TOP OF HEAD
APPEARED TO BE GROOVED TO ONE SIDE, WHILE THE BOTTOM 2 PINS WERE COMPLETELY
ROUNDED.
<[╘ED, ╙YSOP] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ╚OW BIG A HOLE IN ONE'S BUDGET IS THAT LIKELY TO MAKE?
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╥UMMAGING

<[╙TEVE] ╙.╨╥╧├╘╧╥1> ╧KI SAYS $90.  ╔ CHECKED FOR A DEAD ╧KI, SINCE MOST ╧KI
HEADS ARE THE SAME.  ─EAD ONES COST AS MUCH AS THE HEAD, AND THE HEAD COULD BE
BAD ON IT TOO.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╘HAT'S ABOUT THE PRICE ╔'VE FOUND TOO.  ╫ELL TRY THE HEAD SOAK,
FIRST & LET ME KNOW HOW IT COMES OUT.
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ┬╘╫ ╘ED, THE ORIGINAL DRIVE MECH FOR THE 1541 IS MADE BY ┴╠╨╙
<[╘ED] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔>  ╘HAT'S THE LIGHT COLORED ONE WITH THE SPRING CLOSURE, NOT
THE DARK TAN WITH SPRING CLOSURE?
<─╔╟╔╘┴╠.─╧├> ╥IGHT ╘ED.
[╘ED, ╙YSOP] ─╧-╥┴┼-═╔> ╔T'S MIDNIGHT & AFTER THE TIME ALL GOOD SYSOPS IN ┼╙╘
ZONES HAVE TO GO TO BED.  ┴LSO, IT'S TIME FOR THIS CONFERENCE TO END.  ╟OOD
NIGHT ALL.  (╘HAT WILL BE ALL & THANKS, ─R. ╫ATSON!)
 === ┼ND ─R. ╫ATSON'S ╙TENO ╬OTES ===