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1995-02-20
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OSMKCM06 - PRINTER DEVICES ATTACHED TO A SERIAL PORT
11/01/94
================================================================
PRINTER DEVICES ATTACHED TO A SERIAL PORT
================================================================
Please Read Entire Document for Full Explanation of Procedures
----------------------------------------------------------------
SYMPTOMS:
Serial Printer does not work
Serial printer seems to get too much data (OVERFLOW)
Serial printer not printing the entire document
RESOLUTION:
Does the printer work under native DOS?
---------------------------------------
From real or native DOS, install the printer on the desired COM
port and try to print to it. Use either the print or copy
command. Use either DUAL BOOT or boot from a DOS disk.
If the printer fails to print under real DOS, check the cable,
parallel port, and printer setup.
Determining and Setting the Handshaking method.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Modern printers are capable of using handshaking signals to
control the flow of data.
- Software handshaking signals are embedded within the data
stream that starts and stops the PC when the printer is busy.
These signals require interpretation by the application and
are slower than Hardware handshaking.
- Hardware handshaking controls data flow by raising and
lowering physical signal lines. These signals are called RTS
CTS DTR and DSR.
The correct handshaking method to use is depends on the printer
options. Older printers usually use switches located under the
printers covers. Some new printers have membrane configuration
panels for setting options. Refer to the printers users manual
or contact the manufacturer for further detail.
Ususally, setting the printer object for hardware handshaking is
sufficient. If your printer does not use RTS / CTS handshaking,
you may try the following combinations.
mode comX RTS=HS, OCTS=ON
mode comX RTS=HS, OCTS=ON, ODSR=ON
mode comX RTS=ON, OCTS=ON, ODSR=ON, IDSR=ON
NOTE: always set MODE comX to = on.
COMMON PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
================================================================
SERIAL PRINTER SEEMS TO GET TOO MUCH DATA (OVERFLOW)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Serial Printers use a handshaking protocol. This is either
software handshaking (XON/XOFF) or hardware handshaking (DSR,
RTS, CTS). If the printer is configured for SOFTWARE
HANDSHAKING, use the MODE command to set XON=ON. You may need to
set all other settings to OFF. If the printer is configured for
HARDWARE HANDSHAKING, use the MODE command to set RTS=HS, OCTS=ON
and ODSR=ON. You may also have to set IDSR=ON if the printer
uses Data Set Ready for Handshaking. If so, you should set ODSR
to OFF.
SERIAL PRINTER NOT PRINTING ENTIRE DOCUMENT
----------------------------------------------------------------
If you are printing very large jobs, you may need to set the port
for infinite write time out. This is the TO=ON value which is
set with the MODE COMMAND. This is similar to the ',p' value
used with the DOS 5.0 MODE command. There may also be a
handshaking problem.
SERIAL PRINTERS AND PLOTTERS
----------------------------------------------------------------
There are very few known problems with using serial printers
plotters under OS/2 2.x other than having OS/2 driver support.
The following sections provides detailed information on how
OS/2 interacts with the printer.
SERIAL PRINTER NOT WORKING
----------------------------------------------------------------
Usually a serial printer does not work because the serial
communication driver (COM.SYS) does not know the handshaking
method being used.
Check the product documentation or contact the printer
manufacturer to determine the type of handshaking the printer
uses. A serial (RS-232) line tester is also useful.
NOTE: If you are printing very large jobs, you may need to set
the port for infinite write time out. This is the TO=ON value
which is set with the MODE command. This is similar to the ',p'
value used with the DOS 5.0 MODE command.
If no data appears to be sent to the printer, set all the
If it appears that no data is being sent to the priner, set all
the MODE values to "OFF". If the printer then works,
individually set the values to "ON" to determine which setting is
preventing transmission to the printer.
----------------------------------------------------------------
IBM disclaims all warranties, whether express or implied,
including without limitation, warranties of fitness and
merchantability with respect to the information in this document.
By furnishing this document, IBM grants no licenses to any
related patents or copyrights.