CompuServe Thread

A2000/HPIIP/Preferences

8 messages in this thread
#30284From: Bill ForcadeJul 27, 1991 11:29 PM
Hi All: I've been having some printing problems which I thought was due to a program PRINT104.ARC. Now it seems the problem is more systemic. I have an A2000 with an HPIIP hooked up with a standard IBM parallel cable (I tried two other cables, same result). I'm having problems printing ASCII text files (DOC files and C source code). I cannot check by typing "copy <filename> to PAR:", because the Amiga files do not invoke a CR on the printer, thus the left margin moves off page to the right by the second line. Wordperfect (which has its own driver) works like a champ. My graphic printing programs work like a champ. Programs which invoke PRT: seem to cause the problem. The problem is that partway through a file printing, a "System Requester" pops up saying "Check printer and cables". Even "Copy <filename> PRT:" does it. The problem seems to relate in some way to the parameters set in preferences for lines per page and other factors. Could someone with an A2000, WB1.3 and a HPIIP please send me the exact settings they are using from the first preferences page for paper size, spacing, characters per inch, margins, quality, etc. Thanks. – via Whap!
#30417From: Roger HandJul 29, 1991 10:10 AM
You'd be helped a lot by getting two programs in particular: * "addcr" and "remcr" or clones, which add or subtract a Carriage Return to the Line Feed at the end of every Amiga line. There're several similar programs here on CompuServe. * The program "lp2" It prints two pages (66 lines, 80 characters, I think) on a single sheet of paper from the LaserJetIIP. It's great for printing out long documentation, rough drafts for editing, etc. If I remember right, you need to run "remcr" first to get rid of CR's in DOS documents. LP2 is here in the libraries (at least I'm pretty sure where I got it.) -Roger
#30504From: Bill ForcadeJul 30, 1991 12:39 AM
Roger: Thanks for the advice on the programs, but perhaps I was unclear in my message. I'm not having problems printing MS-DOS files on my Amiga, I'm having problems printing Amiga ASCII text files created with ED or the Lattice Screen Editor, when I send those file to the PRT: device. After using EOLCon to add some CR/LF's to a 12K file I tried the following: 1. Copy to PAR: …worked fine 2. Load into Wordperfect and print…..worked fine. 3. Copy to PRT: …..System request "Printer Trouble" 4. Load in Scribble! and Print …..System Request "Printer Trouble", Scribble! uses "PRT:" I'm certain PRT: is the problem, and I believe it has to do with the correct settings in preferences. I'm trying to find someone who has an A2000 WB 1.3 and an HPIIP on the parallel port to simply copy down the settings from the first page of preferences (you know paper type, margins, paper size, lines per inch, etc) and type them into a message to me here. Maybe I need to have paper size set to custom, paper type set to single sheet, and margins set to 5 and 75 (or some such combo). Thanks. – via Whap!
#30520From: Wayne ColeJul 30, 1991 3:14 AM
Bill, Don't use EOLCon or whatever it is. I print LSE created files to my LjIIP all the time with no additional processing and the printer running factory dfaults. wmc
#30807From: Roger HandAug 2, 1991 4:03 AM
For what it's worth, I have zero problems (well, let's say 0.0025 problems ) with my HP IIP with these Prefs settings: HP LaserJet — US Letter — Single — Letter –60 Lines — 10 Pica -6 lpi Margins: L=1 R=80 Good Luck!
#30519From: Wayne ColeJul 30, 1991 3:14 AM
Paper size: letter; 61 lines per inch (matched using printer front panel in HP printer menu); 12 char per inch, 6 lines per inch; paper type single; quality letter. Note also that I am using a "home grown" driver where I implemented double buffering for graphics and increased the printer time-out. I believe the HP_LaserJet that ships with 1.3 was for the faster (8 ppm) printers and that is where your system requester regarding printer trouble is from. I adjusted mine and no longer have the problem. You should also be getting offsets in both directions on printed page as opposed to the way it looks on the screen. (I fixed that in my driver as well). It sounds as if your line termination in the machine is messed up. I run with the factory default. To insure this you can gin up a little Basic program to send ESC&k0G to the printer then try printing.
#30615From: Bill ForcadeJul 30, 1991 9:59 PM
Your explanation of the time-out problem makes perfect sense. That makes me VERY VERY interested in your "home-grown" driver. Is it at all possible your driver could be purchased or is it possibly available for free ? It it is available could you send it to me via E-Mail ??? By the way, didn't I leave you a message nearly 3 months ago about pulling my bacon out of the fire on another problematic issue ? Haven't you just done it again ? Please leave me E-Mail regarding what arrangements you would like if the driver is available. Thanks.
#30717From: Wayne ColeAug 1, 1991 2:50 AM
Bill, See Email reply. wmc