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Post by mirkosoft on Nov 6, 2014 19:31:13 GMT
Hi!
I own old MPS-801 dot matrix printer and I'm searching for new other modern solution how to print by Commodore 128 or other Commodore computer...
Can anybody explain me any modern solution - I mean not USB devices 'cause this story was never finished in case of Commodore 8-bit computers...
Thank you for all suggestions.
Miro
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Post by nonefornow on Nov 7, 2014 17:19:50 GMT
Hi, It seems to me that any modern approach has to involve either a USB or network solution, since those are the only ports now available in new printers. I do not remember what happend with that USB idea, I am not sure it was fully implemented. All I can think of is that you mey need a serial to centronic adapter, which were available in the Commodore days, and some sort of parallel to USB cable converter. In any case it maybe more practical just to keep using Commodore serial based printers. - I mean not USB devices 'cause this story was never finished in case of Commodore 8-bit computers... |
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Post by hydrophilic on Nov 8, 2014 9:39:49 GMT
I agree, it seems you would need a USB adapter of some sort... I haven't seen a printer with a parallel/centronics interface in years! (Or Ethernet adapter)
I think you would need some special hardware... I imagine you could do it with clever programing, but it would take gobs of code... so not practical for most software (like GEOS which has 0.5K allowed for printer drivers!)
Some device that would allow serial bus (most compatible) or user port to 'talk' to a USB device... but it should be optimized for printers... using a generic USB interface would involve too much software (I imagine).
I've heard of USB solutions for game controllers and mass storage devices that are suppose to be CBM-compatible, but I have never tried one. I think a new breed aimed at printers would be needed in this case...
The only other option would be Ethernet. Would the Comet or 1541-Ultimate with RR-Net work? (I don't know... just an idea)
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Post by nonefornow on Nov 11, 2014 0:54:22 GMT
I am not sure about the Comet.
I suppose it could work on the 1541U and the ethernet adapter. But that would bring up the question as to what device number you have to print to. I am not sure you could print to "4".
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Post by mirkosoft on Nov 11, 2014 16:52:41 GMT
I'm owner of Comet64, but really when I tried to be online, never, really never it was succesfull.
I have it only connected to my DCR...
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Post by gsteemso on Nov 12, 2014 22:54:29 GMT
I'm owner of Comet64, but really when I tried to be online, never, really never it was succesfull. I have it only connected to my DCR... That would be because the Comet relies on a special program called V1541 being run to modify the Kernal. That program only works in 64 mode. |
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Post by mirkosoft on Nov 13, 2014 20:32:56 GMT
When I purchased Comet64 I got also 5,25" diskette with V1541 - written for Commodore 64...
So, again is Commodore 128 forgotten. I'm looking to Flyer...
Miro
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Post by hydrophilic on Nov 14, 2014 5:11:44 GMT
If you wanted to PRINT#4 (very common) then you would need custom ROM or at the very least patch the KERNAL vectors... if you have software that allows printing to user port (umm, PRINT#2 ?) then options are more flexible.
This sounds like a fascinating project, unfortunately I have zero time to work on it... if I could make a living selling Commodore products I would! Well, it seems Ray Carlson makes some money FIXING Commodores, but I prefer to create new things...
Umm, Jim Brain seems to make some money with this stuff... I don't think it pays all his bills, but if you read some of his blogs, you should see that (at least some times) he has way more orders than he can fill... he might be the guy to ask! |
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