[comp.sys.att] graphics on a Star Gemini 15-X printer from a 3b1

canoaf@ntvax.UUCP (Augustine Cano) (06/17/89)

Hi everybody!

I'm using a Star Micronics Gemini 15-X printer with my 3b1.
It works fine for normal printing, but being a non-supported printer,
I can't do anything fancy.  I have the system set up so it thinks it is a
StarSG10.  This was a guess on my part, I assumed that being the same brand
they would be the closest.  Is this correct? would another printer option
work better?  Does anybody out there have a Gemini 10-X or 15-X connected so
it does the fancy stuff successfully? BTW, it does underline and overstrike
ok, but that's about it.

If I do a <SHIFT> <PRINT> the screen gets actually printed, but in stripes.
The printer does not seem to understand the codes sent to move the paper up
less than the usual amount.  I assume there is a way to either translate the
characters sent into what the printer will understand or to make the printing
utility send the right ones.  What would be involved?  Can I just set up some
tables?  How about the GSS-drivers stuff, is it possible to customize/make
a new entry for this printer?  I'd love to be able to print graphics.

Alternatively, is anyone aware of a set of PROMS that would make this printer
emulate one of the supported ones?

One more thing, does anybody have a number to get in touch with Star Micronics?
The numbers in my manuals are disconnected, I've seen no recent ads in the
magazines I subscribe to and they are not in the phone books I have.

Any information, code or suggestions that anybody might have would be greatly
appreciated.  I'll summarize.

Augustine Cano		canoaf@dept.csci.unt.edu

ericd@ms.uky.edu (Eric Durbin) (06/22/89)

In article <494@ntvax.UUCP> canoaf@ntvax.UUCP (Augustine Cano) writes:
>I'm using a Star Micronics Gemini 15-X printer with my 3b1.
>It works fine for normal printing, but being a non-supported printer,
>I can't do anything fancy.  I have the system set up so it thinks it is a
>StarSG10....

With my Star SG-10 I've found that the only way to utilize the printer's
capabilities in text printing is to use nroff with a customized terminal
driving table.  For example one needs to create a file 
/usr/lib/nterm/tab.printername, where "printername" is a unique name
for your printer - like sg10.  Then use "nroff -Tsg10" on nroff documents.
You could copy a generic driving table and then customize according to
your printer.  The table contents are explained in nterm(5).

If anybody out there's got a complete driving table for the SG-10 I'd
appreciate getting it from you, mine is still very generic.

>If I do a <SHIFT> <PRINT> the screen gets actually printed, but in stripes.
>The printer does not seem to understand the codes sent to move the paper up
>less than the usual amount.

No, it's not the characters, it's the print mode.  My SG-10 has to be in
STAR printing mode to perform screen dumps without too much line spacing.
You have to set DIP switch 2-2 on and powerup the printer for this to work.
I'm sure your 15-X has a similar setting.

-- 
[]  Eric B. Durbin     (606) 233-6043  []                  ericd@ms.uky.edu  []
[]  MN554 Univ of Kentucky Med Center  []                 ericd@UKMA.BITNET  []
[]  Lexington, KY       40506          []       {rutgers, uunet}!ukma!ericd  []

lenny@icus.islp.ny.us (Lenny Tropiano) (06/26/89)

In article <494@ntvax.UUCP> canoaf@ntvax.UUCP (Augustine Cano) writes:
|>I'm using a Star Micronics Gemini 15-X printer with my 3b1.
|>It works fine for normal printing, but being a non-supported printer,
|>I can't do anything fancy.  I have the system set up so it thinks it is a
|>StarSG10....
|>
|>If I do a <SHIFT> <PRINT> the screen gets actually printed, but in stripes.
|>The printer does not seem to understand the codes sent to move the paper up
|>less than the usual amount.
|>

Probably the easiest thing to do, if the Star Gemini 15-X is like my Star NX10,
is to set your printer up as an "Epson" printer.  The Star NX10 by default
I believe is Epson compatible, you need to change a dip switch to enable
"Star" mode.  Probably best if left as Epson, since almost everything has
an Epson driver (including the screen dump) ...

-Lenny
-- 
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