[comp.sys.ibm.pc] Using a Black Box Matrix Switch

kerm@mcnc.org (Cary E. Burnette) (12/21/89)

Help Wanted:

We have recently purchased a 8x4 Matrix Switch from Black Box.
We are trying to share 4 devices (Star Dot Matrix Printer, HP thinkjet,
HP Laserjet IID, and a HP Plotter). When we connected all of the devices,
the matrix switch scrambled all the data going the the Laserjet IID. The 
other printers worked fine. We are currently using 7 AT&T 6310 PC's which
are connected to the switch with 25 pin Male to Male Cables also purchased
from Black Box. The printers are connected to the switch by standard
Centronics cables that came with the printers. Also the Laserjet works
fine when it is directly  connected to any of the PC's. Does anyone out there
have any suggestions, we have completely dumbfounded all of the tech.
support at Black Box?

Also we have tried both the Manual and Software controlled switches.

Another question:

If we can not get this thing to work we will be sending it back. Are
there any suggestions for device sharing switches in the $800 range
that will fell our needs.

Thanks for any information

Cary Burnette   (kerm@vanity.ncat.edu)

North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University
Department of Electrical Engineering
McNair Hall
Greensboro, NC 27411
(919)334-7760