bcking@inmet.UUCP (06/16/86)
80286 vs. NEC Printers
The Problem:
We have (leased) a Compaq Portable II, and with it a NEC P7 printer.
We have had printer problems, specifically time-outs. In particular,
Lotus 1-2-3 gets an "ERROR" condition while printing a particular work-
sheet, although if the worksheet is saved in a file and DOS is used to
print it, it prints fine.
Qwiknet, the project scheduler, is unable to use the NEC printer (either
the P7 or the older P2/P3) from the Compaq. The Qwiknet diagnostic program
QWIKTEST gives a message:
"Error from first reset. Status = 1001."
The Diagnosis:
NEC Tech Support has heard of this problem, and they say it is a timeout
problem that only happens with the 80286 processor in the Compaq.
The Fix:
NEC has revised the printer firmware to correct this problem. They
should be ready to distribute the new firmware in a week or so, after
they iron out the business details.
Meanwhile, they suggest trying the DOS command MODE LPT1:,,P for those
who are having problems with printing with DOS (which Qwiknet doesn't
do).
The Credit:
Greg Matthews at MBI Microsource in Cambridge, Mass. tracked this one
to its lair for us, and we appreciate it.
== Christine King
...!cca!ima!inmet!bcking
Intermetrics, Inc. 733 Concord Avenue Cambridge MA 02138mdf@osu-eddie.UUCP (Mark D. Freeman) (06/20/86)
Summary: In <6200035@inmet> bcking@inmet.UUCP writes: > > 80286 vs. NEC Printers > >The Problem: > We have (leased) a Compaq Portable II, and with it a NEC P7 printer. > We have had printer problems, specifically time-outs. In particular, > Lotus 1-2-3 gets an "ERROR" condition while printing a particular work- > sheet, although if the worksheet is saved in a file and DOS is used to > print it, it prints fine. I have had similar problems using Microsoft Word 2.1 and a NEC P5XL on an 8 MHz AT-clone. Every 1/2 - 2 pages it tells me my printer isn't ready. Perhaps they have a screwy way of handling the 8K buffer in the printer. If it waits until there are only a few characters left before fetching more from the AT, I could see where some software might time out. I just upgraded to Word 3.0, but I haven't had a chance to hack on their awful printer driver enough to print any of my files (I just got it this week). -- < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < <> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Mark D. Freeman mdf@osu-eddie.uucp StrongPoint Systems, Inc. mdf@osu-eddie.arpa Guest account at The Ohio State University ...!cbosgd!osu-eddie!mdf mdf@Ohio-State.EDU "Are you in charge here?" "No, but I'm full of ideas!" -- Doctor Who < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < <> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >