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************ Topic 13 Sat Nov 30, 1991 VANDENELSEN (Forwarded) Sub: printer problems ? This is a place for your questions about printer problems. Maybe someone has a solution!!!!! with fingers crossed 52 message(s) total. ************ ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 1 Sat Nov 30, 1991 VANDENELSEN (Forwarded) I have had a Tandy cgp 220 hooked to a Xetec super graphix hooked to my 128 and 1571 for 6 years with no problems. I have modified interface to take power from the printer of of pin 32 6 of the printer. Anyhow it works fine. I plan to bye an Epson Apex 80 model P70RA from a friend. He also is thro wing in a G-wiz interface. This is my problem. With the Xetec interface I get a device not available error. I do believe that I have all the dip switches set correct. Also when I hook the G-wiz interface up the 71 spins forevertr and I get the device not present error for both the printer and the drive. So what gives? Does anybody have a solution to my pr oblems. I haven't tryed to use the G-wiz interface with the Tandy printer since I really want to use the Xetec interface with the Epson. Is there something different about the centronic port on the Epson that makes it different from the norm? I really like the features of this Epson and would like to get it to work so if there is any printer Gurus out in Genie land will you give me a solution P L E A S E !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thanx in advance Steve aka RESTOR TTAGGG ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 2 Sat Nov 30, 1991 C128.JBEE [* Sysop *] (Forwarded) The Epson "should" have a layout somewhere in the book about how it's Centronic port is layed out so you can compare it to the other. I believe on the Xetec all you have to do is run a jumper on the board to make the Xetec take power from it's power supply instead of the Centronic interface. The other thing to consider is that the Epson might also need to be modified to make it supply power to the interface. It might be as simple as moving a jumper inside the printer or cutting a trace on the board. It has been awhile since I owned an Epson but I vaguely remember something about this being in the manual and the power to the Centronics port was optional. ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 3 Sun Dec 01, 1991 HOWIE-CBM [H.HERMAN1] (Forwarded) Steve, Have you checked to see if Xetec and G-wiz are using the same device number? While they both probably allow for a transparant mode direct to the printer, they also allow for direct addressing, and this would easilly explain the bus problems you described. I don't use either device, so cannot offer specifics. However, you might try to change the drive # of one of them to a # not currently being used. Also, both probably default to device #4 for data. If using both, one must be changed to #5 to prevent bus lockup. Howie ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 4 Sun Dec 08, 1991 L.WIILSON [C128R] (Forwarded) I'd check the pin out on both printers, to make sure you're getting the proper voltage. I've done this mod to my Super Gfx and Panasonic P-1191. Not all printers will have the proper voltage at the same pin. Easy way would be to check it with a VOM and see. ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 5 Fri Dec 20, 1991 C.KALLAS (Forwarded) Where did my question Go? Anyway I have a citizen 200gx and with geos I can't print NLQ without all the words being connected. Help please Thanks, Charlie ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 6 Fri Dec 20, 1991 C128.JBEE [* Sysop *] (Forwarded) I do not see a gap in the messages, maybe your posted your question originally in the Geos Category? ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 7 Sun Mar 29, 1992 J.MADORY1 (Forwarded) HELLO , I have a very serious problem. I have a commodore mps 1200 printer.It was a commodore serial interface on it. Commofdodore once advertised that you could buy a parrallel interfaace for the machine if you needed. Well, now I hav e an IBM computer. I need the parallel interface to usre the printer now. I have tried everywher I can think and still have not come up with the interface or something that will ienable me to use the printer with the IBM. I would hate to buy another printer when I have a perfectly good one. Supra Inc.'s cardodco interfaces will not help me with my problem. I would be very thankful if someone could provide me with some HElpP. Thanks Rick ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 8 Mon Mar 30, 1992 C128.JBEE [* Sysop *] (Forwarded) I have never seen a MPS-1200 before but doesn't it have a Parallel/Centronics built into it? All you should need is a standard parallel cable to hook it up to your IBM computer. I do have a listing in the repair manual C= part #601212-95 Vendor parts no.Y8022-40*A Interface pack (Parallel) (USA) The MPS-1200 is a Citizen printer, so if the printer does not have the interface pack, and is not available from Commodore you might be able to buy it from a Citizen dealer. Note: the interface might be covered up by a "fake" faceplate on the back of the printer. ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 9 Mon Mar 30, 1992 HOWIE-CBM (Forwarded) Rick, I always thought that the MPS1200 was like the MPS1000 and has its own Centronic socket, as well as the Commodore specific serial socket. If it does, then plug the IBM or clone's parallel cable into it to print. If it doesn't, then you would need a specific interface. These are available from: Master Software, Grapevine, Tenex, and others. Howie ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 10 Mon Mar 30, 1992 PAUL-MB (Forwarded) I have a 1200! (Raising hand, rushing to front of room) Rick, I =think= if you remove the interface out (pull it out of the side of the 1200) you'll be able to hook in an IBM interface to the port inside. Mind you the port is waaay in there, so a long interface cord is warranted. I don't know this for sure, because I don't have an IBM. :) ▐▐▐ Paul ▐▐▐ ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 11 Sat Apr 25, 1992 B.LUCIER [bill l.] (Forwarded) Hi there..I just recently started using genie. The people on seem to be very knowledgable,so I was wondering if anyone could help me out. I am looking to buy a 24 pin printer for my 128. Does anyone know of a printer and interface that they have found to work well. I am not overly concerned about being able to print graphics mostly it will be for resumes,cover letters...etc. Any help anybody could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Bill L. ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 12 Sat Apr 25, 1992 C128.JBEE [* Sysop *] (Forwarded) Well Bill, I guess the most important question is how much money you want to spend. Followed by what software you are using and what type of paper you will be using. If you are doing work that has to look real good you would want a printer that handles cut feed paper because tractor feed paper with micro-perf rips on it doesn't make much of an impression on a resume. ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 13 Sun Apr 26, 1992 B.LUCIER [bill l.] (Forwarded) I use speedscript 128. I agree, I would like one that will handle the tractor feed. I can spend about $300-$400. Ideally I would like to use bond paper,but if that is not possible I'll use a lower grade of paper. Thanks, Bill l. ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 14 Sun Apr 26, 1992 HOWIE-CBM (Forwarded) Bill, My druthers are the Epsons, either the LQ-570, or if doing heavy duty printing (read: printer in use 8 hours every day) then the LQ-870. A Xetec Super Graphic jr. interface will let all programs interface to the printers. Having said this, lots of users seem to prefer the Panasonic line better. It isn't so much a question of which one works best with a C128. They all work well, and any printer's features can be accessed. The things I look for when comparing printers are: quality of output, features (fonts, scalable(?), etc.), convenience (paper parking, auto feed, etc.), and noise level. One I saw recently did well on these things that are important to me, but it was so light it bounced itself all over the desk while it printed, which I did *NOT* like... :( Howie ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 15 Sun Apr 26, 1992 HOWIE-CBM (Forwarded) Bill, Most printers today allow for paper parking, so you can conveniently use BOTH tractor feed and individual sheet paper at the same time. The Epson LQ-570 which I mentioned sells for around $260. Quality tractor feed paper is available. But more expensive than "every day stuff" type paper. The one that I'd suggest is Hammermill Bond, which comes in boxes of 500 continuous sheets, their part No. 19920-8. It is one of the few papers that will seperate and tear off without showing any trace. If you might also want an individual paper sheet feeder (as opposed to slipping in papers manually), most but *NOT* all printers have an autofeed paper option accessory. If this is important, then best to check before buying, and usually you'll get a better deal if you buy it at the same time as the printer, instead of later. Howie ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 16 Sun Apr 26, 1992 C128.JBEE [* Sysop *] (Forwarded) I agree with Howie on the interface - get the Xetec Super jr. Since you will want to use the built in fonts the Gold is overkill. Popular models are Star NX-2420 about $250 There is a new Star model called the 2430(?) and I believe it comes with proportional fonts and supports a cut sheet feeder ($100+). The Star NX-2420 color model is $290 The Panasonic 24 pin models are very good and heavy duty. KX-P1124i is the latest and best and sells for $280 I think both of these were reviewed recently in Computer Shopper. If you pop over into their BB/RTC you might be able to download a review or read about them. Noone ever got fired for buying Epson either ;) ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 17 Tue Apr 28, 1992 B.LUCIER [bill l.] (Forwarded) Ok..thanks alot for your help...it is much appreciated... Bill l. ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 18 Tue Apr 28, 1992 C128.JBEE [* Sysop *] (Forwarded) You are welcome :) ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 19 Fri Dec 25, 1992 A.BAUGHER [Covenant] (Forwarded) Here's a question I'm hoping someone can help me with. I just recently picked up a used Okimate 20 color transfer printer for my 128d, and I ordered the Cardprint G-Wiz interface for it. Now I have two problems: The G-Wiz won't fit in the recessed slot on the Okimate, and both the printer and the interface have male connections and the Okimate only has 34 pins instead of 36. Does anyone know of a way I can hook these up by buying or building some sort of connector for them? I assumed this interface would work because it advertises compatability with Okidata printers, but now I'm not so sure. Thanks, Aaron ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 20 Fri Dec 25, 1992 CMD-DOUG (Forwarded) Okimate printers came with their own interface to the Commodore. If you didn't get that when you got the printer, then probably your best bet is to try contacting Okidata. The interface you got IS compatible with standard Okidata printers, but the Okimate series wasn't 'standard'. ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 21 Fri Dec 25, 1992 YLR.ROSE [* Mistress *] (Forwarded) I had a 20 and still have an Oki 10.. you plug them directly into your serial port (or disk drive) on the back of the D.. used mine for years with no problems.. just use a standard serial connector.. you dont need an interface. ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 22 Fri Dec 25, 1992 C128.JBEE (Forwarded) I believe what is missing is called a "personality" module that plugs into the printer to tell it how to behave with what type of computer (pretty sure that is what Doug meant). Considering what kind of printer the Oki 20 is, I wouldn't pay the extra money for it. You would be better off with a NX-1000R and to buy a Centronics interface for it (G Whiz would work fine). I believe the interface module costs close to $100, you should get it from the person that sold you that printer. It is kind of a cheap shot not to include it with the printer because you probably can't buy them anymore. ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 23 Sun Dec 27, 1992 A.BAUGHER [Covenant] (Forwarded) Thanks for the info on the Okimate 20. I checked with Okidata and the personality modules called 'Plug and Print' are over $100. I think for that kind of money I can start looking for another printer! I'm going to try some hardware hacking and see if I an get it to work myself. It came with a Plug and Print module for IBM, so maybe I can make that work somehow. ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 24 Sun Dec 27, 1992 CMD-DOUG (Forwarded) What exactly does that module look like, i.e., what kind of connection is on the end that goes to the IBM? IBM's are usually set up for standard centronics printer's, but the cable connection on the computer itself is a DB-25, while the printer is usually a Centronics... with special cabling it could definately be made to work, just may be more than you can tackle without a lot of hassle. ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 25 Sun Dec 27, 1992 C128.JBEE (Forwarded) If the Oki 20 is a thermal color printer, what you will run into is that all the Commodore programs expect one hooked up as a Commodore serial device and not a parallel printer. If I remember correctly the Oki 10 & 20 don't come with ESCape code listings so you can't modify printer drivers easily. Because of the high ribbons costs, unless you got this printer as a real steal I would cut my losses, sell it to a PC or maybe Amiga owner and buy the cheap Star color printers, such as the parallel and color version of the NX-1000R. These printers are widely supported and though the color version gives much lighter print than the Oki, it is FAR cheaper to operate and you can reink the ribbons! Plus, some programs like Gray's Labels and Geos can give you really great looking color labels and graphics. Last time I looked (about a year ago) the NX-1000 was $139 and the NX-1000R (color=rainbow?) was $179. Whatever you do, get one that has a centronics/ parallel connection for "Epson" mode and not a Commodore serial bus connection. ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 26 Sun Dec 27, 1992 PAUL-MB (Forwarded) The Oki 20 is a thermal transfer printer, and a fairly good one at that. However, it can only emulate a 1525, which is REALLY limited in Print Shop, GEOS, et al. The Plug and Print is just an interface, really, and I'm not sure but I imagine you could use a different type of interface. Ribbons are hard to come by and cost $4-$5 apiece. I used to get them through mail order. Frankly, you're better off with an NX-1000C Rainbow. :) Paul ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 27 Sun Dec 27, 1992 YLR.ROSE [* Mistress *] (Forwarded) Here's a phone number for you that will come in handy with your Okimate.. KETTERMANs, 1-800-458-8148 .. they have EVERYTHING for the Okimate/Okidata line of printers.. they might be able to answer your question a lot better.. as that is the only printers that they cater to.. HUGs ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 28 Sun Jan 17, 1993 A.BAUGHER at 00:34 EST re: Okimate 20 Thanks for all the advice, guys. I'm going to start saving up to get a Star color printer, and in the meantime I'll see what I can do to hack some sort of hookup for the Okimate. Since the interface it has now is designed for IBM, and the G-Wiz is designed for IBM, I suppose there would have to be a possible way to use both interfaces. BTW, I tried the number YLR.ROSE left me for KETTERMANS, and got a disconnect notice. Just thought you'd like to know! Aaron ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 29 Sun Jan 17, 1993 YLR.ROSE [* Mistress *] at 09:44 EST Kettermans -- disconnect notice?? did you dial it correctly? That sure is weird.. they are a very large company in Atlanta.. hmmmmm ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 30 Tue Jan 19, 1993 A.BAUGHER at 01:33 EST I'll try Ketterman's again; it's certainly possible I misdialed. With the way companies that support CBM seem to come and go, I just assumed the worst. ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 31 Tue Jan 19, 1993 C128.JBEE at 04:56 EST Doesn't hurt to be cautious. ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 32 Tue Jan 19, 1993 YLR.ROSE [* Mistress *] at 10:54 EST AB.. Ketterman's supports Okidata/mate printers, not necessarily CBM.. and they have been around a loooooong time.. Oki printers are used by those 'other' guys too.. so they should still be in business.. :> HUGs ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 33 Tue Feb 16, 1993 A.BAUGHER at 03:29 EST Hi there again, I decided to go with the advice I got from you folks and bought a Star 1040 Rainbow from Tenex. It just arrived today, and I'm very impressed with it; however, when I tried to print a Basic8 picture, it printed without the color. I have a 128d, a G-Wiz interface, and am using the Epson default driver from the Basic8 disk. The picture is fine except for the lack of color. Can any other Star owners out there help me out? Also, the 5 volt connection to the cassette port that the G-Wiz cartridge uses seems to be confusing my 128d. The internal drive never comes on line until I unhook the cartridge from the cassette port first. Then I can plug it back in and it works fine. I should be able to find another 5-volt source for that though. Aaron ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 34 Tue Feb 16, 1993 C128.JBEE at 05:12 EST Hi :) You will want to use the JX-80 driver under Geos and Basic 8 for color pictures :) re:G-Whiz Is the connector seated all the way in or is 1 side catching the side of the case? The opening for the C-128D cassette port is a bit narrower than the flat C-128 and you may have to shave a bit of the connector itself to make it fit within the narrower opening. BTW:always do the insertion of the G-Wiz with ALL power off. ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 35 Tue Feb 16, 1993 HOWIE-CBM at 07:34 EST Aaron, I'll echo JBEE's *warning* about inserting the 5 volt wire from G-Wiz into the 128 only when all power is off. However, once it is attached, there should be no reason to have to remove it. I suspect that the 128's serial bus is getting confused because you may not be powering things up in proper order. What's that? Well, all peripherals should be powered on first, and only then the 128. In other words, make sure the printer and any other drives are powered prior to the 128 getting turned on. Following this recommendation should take care of the prob. In the unlikely event it does not, there are a couple of other things to try. I know with a Super Graphic Jr and JiffyDos there may be probs at times. One way to circumvent this possibility is to send a one Basic line to the interface at boot up, or as a part of a boot starter menu. The interface seems to want an └@' or an └!'. So a line something like the following might help: 10 open4,4:print#4,"@":close4 If the └@' does nothing then try an └!', and check the G-Wiz Manual since it might intialize with some other sequence. Finally, you might find that the G-Wiz and/or the printer may need a re-set, and you do not want to do this from the 128 which would erase memory. Inserting an instantaneous push button switch anywhere within the 5 volt line to the G-Wiz, will give you this option. Pressing the switch button will reset the G-Wiz and printer, and leave the 128 intact. At one time I ran three devices from that 5 volt line, so built a mini box with three push botton switches so that I could reset any one of the three devices, without disturbing the 128's memory. It was not often when a device needed a reset, but the few times it did, it was always at a time when those push buttons were very welcome. I got the box and buttons from Radio Shack. Howie P.S. Two devices now draw power from that switch button box, since I now use one printer. :) ------------ Category 4, Topic 13 Message 36 Tue Feb 16, 1993 CBM-MARK at 22:25 EST In the 5v line to my Xetec interface I installed a pushbutton on/off switch. Comes in handy with those games that refuse to run with the interface powered! ▐▐Mark▐▐ ------------