Conference hydra::amiga_v1

    
    Peter,
    
    This may not be much help, and maybe you are already aware if it, but is
    your printer Epson compatible or have an Epson compatability mode? If
    so then you will probably have some luck with the appropriate epson
    driver (9 or 24 pin). 
    
    Frank
     

Frank,

Thanks, but the 321SL emulates the QUME Sprint 5/11 or the IBM Proprinter. I've just
gotten a clue that perhaps the DATA BITS setting should be "7" instead of "8" for the
Centronics interface to the printer. I'll try that tonight, since I've already tried
using the CBM MPS_1250 driver, with no luck (I figured it was Proprinter compatible.
ALL I GET IS GARBAGE.

Pellis

Re: .2

It sounds like you have a fundamental hardware communications problem
that needs to be solved before you should worry about the printer driver.

The AmigaDOS printer driver is responsible for handling "fancy" stuff
and not the low level communications between the Amiga and the printer.
The printer driver does things like:

	1.  Handle dumping bitmaps to the printer
	2.  Turning escape sequences into commands that the printer
	    understands.
	3.  Fancy dithering, etc.

The printer driver does its work by deciding what data bytes need sent
to the printer and then using the serial port device driver or the
parallel port device driver to get those bytes to the printer.

You can bypass the printer driver and send data directly to the
printer if you choose.  For example, you could give the following
command to a CLI:

	echo >par: "Testing 123456"

This will send the string "Testing 123456" directly to your printer
bypassing the printer device and going directly to the parallel device.
Most printers when they receive text, print it, and so you should see
"Testing 123456" appear on your printer.  (Postscript printers try and
interpret the text you send them as a postscript program, so the above
trice would not work for them.)  PAR: is the AmigaDOS name for the
parallel device driver.  SER: is the AmigaDOS name for the serial
device driver.  PRT: is the name of the printer driver, which ultimately
sends output to SER: or PAR: as appropriate.

You could also send a file directly to the printer using the command:

	copy file.txt par:

Once you get the communications problem fixed, then you can experiment
with different printer drivers to see what works with your printer.  A
good test to make sure you have the correct printer driver is to print
some graphics.

Folks,

I'm hoping someone out there can help me; I've had no success, or luck at all
with this printer. The best I get is a consistent garbage pattern, which leads
me to believe that some parameter setting needs to be corrected. It's just that
I can't figure out which one. I've even tried the tests in (-.1) to no avail.

The printer's self-test works fine; the output quality is BEAUTIFUL for a 24-pin
printer. I've printed from my MAC to this thing in the past (can't test it now,
cause the MAC's in the shop).

The only difference in configuration is the parallel port connection I'm using,
vs. the serial connection I used on the MAC. The cable used is from INTEREX, an
outfit you might be familiar with.

Upon calling Toshiba, I was informed that the support # is a 900-number; unfor-
tunately, 900 numbers are blocked from my home phone (didn't want to tempt the
kiddies...).  Since 900 #'s cannot be dialed from phone booths, either, I'm out
of luck - I even tried using my own NYNEX calling card, but the operator said,
"NO".

A system tech at Toshiba was kind enough to relay my problem to the printer folks,
who told him that the P351SX driver should work - but it didn't.

If anyone's got any other ideas, PLEASE post them here.

Desperate Pete.

How about connecting the printer to the Amiga's serial port ?

This would help determine if the problem is with the parallel hardware etc.

Just don't forget to set the perferences for serial. Also be aware of +5V on
one of the Amiga Rs232 connect pins. Just don't tie it to ground (or let the
printer do it).

Regards
	Mike